The San Francisco call., 1897-03-04
AMONG THE
WORK|NCMEN
Policemen Are Actively
Engaged in Carpen-
tering.
The Injustice Will Be Presented
to the Board of Super.
visors.
Journeymen BARRIERS Will Open an
Employment Bureau for Their
Idle Members.

Matters in labor union circles show a
prospect of Frightening up little of late.
While it is yet too early in the spring to
determine to what extent the wave of
prosperity goes, there are many indica.
tions that go to show that better times
are coming. During the winter months
business in all lines is dull, and particu-
larly during an election year, but the
opening of summer starts up industries of
all kinds.
The prospect of early work on the new
Postoffice building has led many to pre-
dict great relief to a sadly overcrowded
labor market. News from the builders
shows that quite number of new struc-
lures are plated. and as the
building trade is good criterion to go by
it is expected that the other crafts will
not be far behind when better times come.
At meeting of the District Council of
Carpenters and Joiners at 102 O'Farrell
street last evening, reports were made
that members of the local police force are
engaged in carpentering work on new
municipal buildings. One in particular is
the new police station at O'Farrell and
Devisadero streets.
Three police officers whose services are
required for the purpose of keeping the
peace are at work there. doing work that
is keeping that nun ber of regular carpen-
ters out of employment. Several of the
Supervisors have been seen relative to
this matter. and they assert that there is
no money for the payment OF carpenters
for such work. Chief Crowley, too, was
seen by committee from the council, and
he made the same statement.
The Chief told the Com mittee that this
work must be done, and he is only using
the police officers because he cannot
secure money for the payment of regular
carpenters. 1t was decided 10 petition
the Board of Supervisors in its next ap-
preparation to allow sufficient money for
such work. Not only is the carpent tering
business affected. but timers, plumbers,
painters and other mechanics are affected,
as policemen are called upon to do all of
these kinds of work.
International Journeymen BARRIERS
Union No. q has decided to open free
employm ment bureau, where its mem bers
may secure positions without being
obliged to pay out of their small earnings
fees that they can ill afford.
1t is to be kept open at all times and the
proprietors OF barbershops may upon ap.
plcation secure the services of first-class
men. Every barber out of work will be
registered. All jobs. regular or extra. will
be kept on record for the inspection of all
This will be a sort of BARRIERS directory
which will often prove of use.
The Machinlsts' Union held it's regular
meeting last night at 32 O'Farrell street
The membership of this union is very
large and the hall was crowded.
It was noted with satisfaction on hearing
the report that all present were employed,
and that there are few Idle members not
-, IL l.%o n fho hor n
union men, however, were reported to be
knocking round the town doing nothing
1t has been found necessary, In conse-
quence OF the increase in the mem bership
of the union, to move to more com m odious
quarters, and on the first Wednesday in
April the first meeting will be held in the
new quarters, Seven Pines Hall of the AL
caZar building.
The Plumbers Union held its regular
quarterly meeting last night on the first
floor of the Alcazar building. The event
was one at which great deal of business
is usually transacted, and the number of
chars vacant was zero.
Times in the plumbing line were re-
ported in general to be good. Several
speeches OF encouragement were delivered
on the changes for the better hoped for
during the coming administration.
1t was nalIydecided that the grand an
nual picnic of the plumbers will be held
at Sunset Park, in the Santa Cruz Noun
tains, on June 20. THIS will be big
affair and the intent is to make it eclipse
anything of the kind held heretofore.
Preparations are even now in progress.
The Pressmen's Union met as usual last
evening in Myrtle Hall of the Alcazar
building. There was full attendance.
Although business was not as good as
hoped for. tine general opinion was ex-
pressed that it is now only a question of
a short time till the turn in National af-
fairs will bring better times.
One of the bers of the union ap-
peared to have met with some misfortune
and the mem bers devoted good deal of
the time of the meeting to giving him the
helping hand. A handsome gold watch
was raffled off, the proceeds fully justify
ing the interest taken in the matter by
the union.