The San Francisco call., 1896-04-02
NO MEN CALLED OUT.
The Walking Delegates of the Build
Ing Trades Council Met With
No Opposition.


According to ample notice previously
given by all the unions affiliated with the
Building Trades Council the card system
went into effect yesterday. This sIgnified
that contractors for all kinds of buildings
and for all work done by the craftsmen of
unions affiliated with the Building Trades
Council were to employ no man except
such as could show properly certified
card from his union declaring him to be in
good standing. Failure to restrict the
force of men employed to the holders of
union cards is to be met with the calling
out of all union men employed on the
same building or job.
So far as calling out men or precipitat-
ing strike is concerned, the work of II.
NJ. Saunders and r. L. McIvor, the walk
Ing delegates appointed by the Building
Trades Council to bring about the eXclu-
sive employment of union men on all jobs
now in progress in the City, was barren of
results. But the Intelligent and conserva-
tive course OF these two men yesterday
undoubtedly strengthened the cause of the
union men directly interested in this con-
test, as we'll as labor unfonism generally.
They found non-union men, it is true
working in some cases with union men,
but where the bosses promised future COM
pllance with the demands of the unions
the recognition OF the card system-con-
ceSslons were made and work was allowed
to continue uninterruptedly.
Both McIvor and Saunders started out
early in the morning to investigate all re-
ported cases where non-union men were
employed with union men. On the build
ing in course of alteration at the corner of
First and Market streets. it was reported
that several non-union fathers were being
employed by Chris Morehouse. A visit to
the place showed, however, that the nom
union men had been laid off, owing to the
refusal Of the union carpenters and union
pIasterers to work with them. The latter
assured Saunders that if any attempt was
made to put on any non-union men they
would all walk out without further notice.
A three-story bay-window house is in
course of erection on Post street, Just east
of Larkin, under contract with James
Logan. Here fifteen non-union fathers
were at work, as the result of the recent
lathers' strike. Mr.. Logan has always
shown most friendly spirit toward the
unicns, and his representation that the
Iathers would complete their task by
night and his promise that in all future
jobs he would recognize the card system,
his force-union and union men-was
left undisturbed.
At Fourth and Welsh streets it was
found that all the employees were union
men, though it had been reported other
wise.
At the Parrott building the men had
the most difficult problem to solve.
As already announced in THE CALL, ST.
Denis & Co. had agreed to recognize
the card system and unionize their whole
force. This they did. The committee
found, however, three non- union men do
ing some polishing work for P. V. Kuss,
one of the boss painters arrayed against
the card system. This was at first consid-
cred sufficient cause to call off the several
hundred union men employed on the
building.
But q further investigation of the mat
ter showed that this work was not being
done on the building proper nor under
finishing work on some fixtures for one of
the intending tenants, who had contracted
for it. Kuss refused to discharge and re-
place them with union men, and thus the
matter stands.
This action of the committee was at