The San Francisco call., 1897-10-08
WILL soon Be UNITED
The City's Labor Unions Pre-
sent a Solid Front Once
More.
Carpenters and Plumbers Affiliating
With the Building Trades
Council.

There are several things that indicate
that union labor is stronger in this city at
the present time than it has been for
many years past. After long strus gle
against many odds the Building Trades
Council has succeeded in drawing nearly
all of the unions connected with the
building trades into the council. When
this body was organized it in eluded nearly
all of these unions, but after little while
there was serious split because of a differ
ence relative TO the presentation of the
several unions connected Herewith. This
split was caused by the withdrawal of the
four carpenters unions, and nearly caused
the collapse of the council.
However, those who rem aimed true to
the cause by hard work managed 10
hold those who remained in until the
hard times had passed and gradually be-
gan to gather The trades back into the
body again.
The reports made at the council last
evening show that the body is now
stronger than before the nlt. For
several weeks negotiations a. been In
progress looking toward the Try OF the
tour carpenters AID ioiners' unions into
favorable TO that end. The carpenters
made a proposition stating the terms
upon which they would enter the council,
setting forth the proportional representa-
tion they desire in the BODY, and last
evening it was accepted. In all proba-
bility this bcdy, which is the la rgest and
best organized IN the city, will be with the
Building Trades Council within the next
two weeks.
AT the last meeting of the council the
Plumbers Union sent its representatives..
This is the first time that the plum bers
have ever affiliated with central body
and The labor leaders consider it great
victory. At the preceding meeting the
cornice- makers were admitted, and at the
next gathering the newly organized
Painters Union will be represe n ed. Ali
Of the reports showed that nearly every
workman belonging TO the unions is now
employed, and all look forward 10 a pros
porous closing of the season.
While the outlook is the most encour-
aging still the union men are not wholly
satisfied with the men whom they elected
to attend TO ;he affairs of this municipai-
ity. as shown by strong resolution that
was adopted without a dissenting vote.
1t began by setting forth:
WHEREAS, The Board of Supervisors, in fix
ing the tax levy for the ensuing year, has pur-
sued such parsimopious policy that II viii
without doubt cripple the various depart
ments
The resolution went on to call attention
to the wretched condition OF the public
streets, the sewers and The school build
ings, all of which are in need OF renewing
and repairing. and stated that the impress
sion made thereby upon the old and
young, and particularly upon strangers.
is anything but desirable. Moreover, this
state of affairs has a very depressing effect
upon the value of real estate, and it con-
cluded by the following:
And whereas, the woTking-people of
San Francisco are its largest taxpayers, they
have the right to demand that the city ov-
ernment be so conducted as to invite inves (
ment and encourage enterprise; therefore be q
Resolved, That we, the Building Trades
Council, favor the issuing OF bonds In en-
amount sufficient to carry on the needed i'm
pTovements on oui streets, sewers, schools
and parks; and be it further
Resotued, That we denonnce the action of
the Board OF Supervisors fixing the tax levy
as low as to necessitate issuing bonds.