The San Francisco call., 1896-03-29
Oscar Lewis Admits His En-
ployes Are Not Good
Painters.
BILLS MAY NOT BE ALLOWED.
Auditor Broderick May Withhold Pay.
ment if the Labor Leaders Claim
the Work Is Illegal.

The representatives OF the labor unions
having discovered what appeared to them
very suspicious circumstances in connec-
ton with the painting of the dome of the
City Hall were by no means satisfied with
the result of their continued investiga-
tions yesterday. Several days ago a com
mittee from the Building and Trades
Council, consisting of McIvor, Rose and
Zant, undertook to investigate the work
being done on the City's municipal monu-
ment. AS preliminary step, they en-
deavored to ascertain just what the con-
tract and specifications called for, and in
this they were signally successful.
In 1892 the Board of City Hall Commits
sloners were greatly annoyed by strike
as a result of non-unlon men having been
put to work. In order to avoid repeti-
ton of the embarrassment, and also with
the avowed purpose of placating laboring
men, the following order was passed:
Eight hours constitute full days work for
all workmen employed upon any of the work
referred 10 in this specification.
No Chinese or Mongolian shall be employed
upon any of the work referred to in this speci-
ication, either directly or indirectly nor shall
any material be used upon which Chinese or
ployed. No scab labor is to be employed on
any portion OF the work herein to be executed.
For some time the labor unions watched
asslduously to see that the provisions of
the order were stipulated in every con.
tract, but OF late their vigilance has been
relaxed somewhat, and as a result it was
not until non-union men were put at work
on the dome that they bethought them
selves of the contract. They claim they
were given evasive answers as to whether
or not the clauses were contained in it, but
the non-union men continued to do the
work. Moreover, it is claimed many of
the men worked overtime
The elimination of the union mems in
dignation was reached when they ascer-
tanned facts regarding the painting of the
ironwOrk of the dome. In this r. T. Nc
Ivor is authority for the statement that
the poorest quality of paint was used, and
the men applying it were wholly un-
skilled in the painters craft. He asserted
that they were being paid only 81 day.
Not only were they smearing on the paint
in a most unworkmanlike manner but it
was asserted they were neither scraping or
cleaning the iron preparatory to apply ing
the brush.
City and County Auditor William Brod-
erick, ex-officio member of the Board of
City Hall Commissioners, was inclined to
lay the entire responsibility for the work
upon the architect and superintendent.
II do not see," he said, chow the board
can do anything at present. The law con-
templates that in such construction we
rely entirely upon the expert knowledge
of our architect and superintendent 1t is
their place to see that the work is done ac-
cording to specifications IT, after the
completion OF the work, any one can show
us that the specifications have been
violated or that the men have
cd Shoy, rvht
day or that the law has in any way been
violated we Will refuse to allow their bills
| do not see how we can do anything in re-
gard to the wages the men are being paid,
as the law says the work must be given
out by contract Personally l am in 1avor
of high wages, as | am myself mechanic,
but it seems to me the only thing to do is
to demand of men who are known to be hir-
ing incompetent workmen the highest
class results"
Oscar Lewis of the firm of O'Connell &
Lewis, who have the contract for the iron
work, does not deny that the men doing
the painting are mere laborers. THAT
kind of work, ;" he said, sis usually done
in the factory, and we generally put boy
at it if we have one. 1t is not ornamental
painting; that will come later. Whenever
there is any dirt or scales on the iron it is
scraped off, and that is all that is neces-
sary. do not know how much the men
are getting as we jobbed' it out to a
young fellow who frequently works for us.
We pay him enough 10 allow him to pay
the men So or 81 so day and retain
good margin. The paint exactly accord
ing to contract"
Ernest d. Melliss, the City Hall Com
missioners' superintendent says the work
has all been done to his satisfaction. He
also says the work does not require
painters, the object of the paint being
merely to prevent rust. The paint used
he admits is very cheap, but he claims
it is the best that can be used for the pur-
pose.
The building and trades committee will
continue their Investigations.
Interested in Young Men.