The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-09-13
FRUIT CROP
IS IN PERIL
The Growers Unable to Sc
cure Enough Men to
Harvest It.
On Account of the Scarcity of
Pickers Wages Have Been
Increased.
There Is General Demand for Labor
ers in Every Line of In
dustry.

How to harvest the immense grape crop
his year has become serious problem TO
the vineyardists of the State.
For the past three days the employment
offices have bsen besieged with letters,
kilograms and telephone messages asking
for crane and frui, pickers, and they find
it an i'm possibilit to supply the great de-
mand for men at present, and fear that
they will only be able 10 secure very
small portion of the number desired.
The office of the agencies were nearly
all kept open part OF the day yesterday
and some of them all day. This was at
the urgent request of the fruit growers,
who are becoming anxious for the safety
of their crops. Advertising in the news
papers and by means of circulars has
brought a great many applications for
work, and all who apply are eagerly
snapped up and Immediately shipped to
the country. Boys of from IA years OF age
up are being engaged and are received as
thankfully as full-grown men and are
being paid nearly as large wages as older
persons.
With all that can be done 10 secure suf
ficient workmen, and frantic efforts are
being made to that end. ii is almost a
foregone conclusion that portion OF the
crop will be lost.
One employment agency has places
open for 5000 men in Fresno and Tuiare
counties alone, while Napa, Sonoma, Yo'o,
Santa Clara and Tuba counties are not far
behind.
By the scarcity OF labor the wages have
been increased, and the growers are ready
and willing to pay the higher wages, as
they are getting better prices Z. for their
crops Last year for this class of work
men were paid $40 a month and board;
"A rd hn J1or
thing, and with this raise as al induce
ment the demand for men is greatly in
excess of the supply.
Anticipating the exodus of la borers to
the fruit growing belt during the harvest,
application was made to The railroads for q
reduced rate. This was granted, and all
the roads are carrying workingmen to
their new jobs for two-thirds OF the regu-
lar fare.
The cause OF the scarcity OF laborers is
attributed to the wave of pros perty which
has recently struck the country. The re-
opening of mum Der Of sawmills as a
result of the increased duty on lum Der
has given employment to surprisingly
large quantity of men as has the opening
up and extensive Improvements OF the
different railroads.
The demand for men is not confined to
the fruit-growers alone, but industries of
nearly every kind are in need OF workmen
ami experience the same trouble in secur-
ing them.
The Southern Pacific, the San Joaquin
and the Sierra railroads are all advertising
for men and are offering good wages and
free transportation. Contractors and
builders here in the City are finding it
difficult to get enough artisans to fulfill
their contracts.
Laborers of all classes are in demand at
increased wages and there is employ m emit
of certain kinds for all those who wish it..
A prominent fruit-grower made the
sweeping statement that there are not
enough available men in the State TO
harvest the crop.