The San Francisco call., 1896-03-05
EIGHT.HOUR LABOR LAW.

Its Gross Violation at Chico Reported
to the Labor Bureau.
The business of land office on the
border of newly opened piece OF the pub
lie domain is being done at the State
Labor Bureau.
This condition of affairs has prevailed
since the bureau became settled in its
new quarters on Sutter street.
''There is everything IN location" said
one of the officers Yesterday, "and the
events of the pastfe days have confirmed
that fact in my mind beyond a doubt.
Why, we have had more personal applica-
tions duri ng the last two days than we're
received at the old room during the past
five months. And it is all due to our loca-
ton. Heretofore our applications for fe-
male help, particularly, have come to US
| mostly through mail or by telephone.
Within the two days last past hundreds of
private conveyances have stopI ed III front
of our door,
The rooms on the ground floor were
crowded throughout the entire day, and
the attaches are having their hands full in
looking after the business and settling
themselves in their new quarters between
breathing spells.
The only matter of Importance brought
before the commission yesterday was
through the medium of a communication
from Chico, where it seems the eight-hour
labor law is being violated and the City
Trustees are accused OF making them
selves parties to a willy contractors
scheme to defraud his men Of share of
their just wage.
The letter, of which the following is
copy, is self-explanatory:
CHICO, Cal, March 8, 1896.
E. L. Fitzgerald Labor Commissioner, San Fran
cisco, CdL-DEAR SIR: We write you, the object
being to gain information in regard to some
vnrE for q nv O. M
Mortindall. Said Mortindall took contract
to grade and gravel some streets for the city of
Chico, Butte County. Cal.
Mortindall hired laborers to shovel gravel
and worked the men nine to nine and half
hours a day for DAYS work and paid some of
them at the rate of 81 40 day for those hours.
| money out oil Mortindall; therefore he men
went and got the president of the Board of
tees discounting their pay from IL to 121z
cents on the dollar. Some have not been paid
ct all.
Therefore we would like immediate assist
ance in regard to the matter. Yours respect
fully
The following-named men (others not sign
ing this paper will make statements in regard
to the natter:
F. Morgan, A. Reno, Joe Tyler, o. A. Bear, A.
C. Doan, William Doan, W. r. Williams, J. C.
Mathews, F. L. Swearinger.
Commissioner Fitzgerald as determined
to investigate the matter, and has already
requested a detailed statement from the
City Clerk. He does not intend that the
labor law and the inherent rights OF the
laboring men shall be infringed upon if it
lies in his power to prevent it.
Beginning with next Monday there will
be two men in the field collating statistics
concerning the condition of labor affairs
in the City and State. The ultimate pur-
pose of these statistics is to form the basis
of an exhaustive report to be published by
the Commissioner, but he will give out in
teresting information for publication in the
press from time to time. In that way it
will reach the general public more effectu-
ally than through the medium of the 5000
copies Of his report.