The record-union., 1899-06-01
is THERE. A SHORTAGE IN LABOR
SUPPLY?

a lively debate because he has written
how many black men can be secured to
come to California to work on the
steamers the wharves. and. indeed, to
take employment ON farms, in ware
houses, etc. It seems that when the fact
that he had so written and had received
replies Indicating that he can secure
colored men was made public, he was
assailed sharply for saying that there is
a. scarcity OF labor in this State.
But the letter writer comes back with
vigor in reply. He declares it to be
fact that there is a deplorable lack of
reliable labor in this State, at least in
the lines to which he is related He
says that not only is his proposition to
employ Southern negroes not one to re-
duce wages, but that as matter Of
fact his company is paying now So a
month more than it did last year or
twenty years ago. That though his
company employs from 500 to 600 un-
skilled laborers and offers $50 and $40
month with board and lodging, it can
not get the men. He declares that if he
doubled wages he could secure the ne
cessary hands, but it would be simply
Withdrawing them from other industrial
employment, leaving shortage else
Where, even were it possible to double
the wages.
He AYERS further that there are prac-
ticaliy no idle men in California. It is
true, he adds, that there are some in
every section who care to labor only
enough to get their board and drink
meaning strong drink, men who will
work. two or three days and then clay
of" until urged by necessity to go to
work again. This class he does not
count among the desirable and he wants
nothing to do with them Warming
with his subject, he AYERS that 5000
steady, industrious, unskilled workmen
can easily find employment in Ca1ifor-
MIA to-day. Had we this season as
large crops as we looked for he believes
that double that number Of men would
have been needed, and that they would
not have been secured from home sup
ply.
The shortage he insists Is affecting
orchardists. will seriously affect farm
ers, and presently will be g-ievously felt
In other industries, such as beet sugar
production, for instance. He therefore
wrote to ascertain the probabilities
a 1ao,1% f,,,ro,+in0 coutborp ,aoro ,ot,or
ers, in order to awaken the State to the
facts, as he believed it to be the short
est road to that end. But he was also
induced to write by the fact that in the
South along the rivers the negroes are
good boat hands, and it is these he
needs most. The steamboat manager
added also that he rarely heard COM
plaint concerning the board and lodging
furnished on the boats to employees,
and cites the fact that his company has
numerous boat hands who have re-
manned with It for many years.
Now the other side Of the case is
heard from through the expression of
labor leaders in San Francisco. They
aver that there is no word Of truth in
the steamboat managers statements;
that as a matter Of fact the idea Of i'm
porting workers from the South is in
line with q scheme to reduce wages and
bring In class Of labor that can be
bossed and kicked about: that there are
plenty OF men wanting work who can
not get It; plenty of them tramping the
streets of San Francisco anxious for
employment and unable to find it;
plenty Of black men who want labor and
cannot secure 1t.
One leader says # the employers will
treat men decently they can get all the
help they want right here; If they will
pay fair wages and give decent board
and lodging they can secure all the
workers they need, but that they really
wish negro labor to be imported in or
der to adopt system Of bng hours and
low pay. Another labor leader says
theraH are thousands of idle men asking
for work who cannot get it, and, he
adds, ''they are not buns either" A
carpenter leader says that in San Fran
CISCO ne can uQO @UO SkllleQ lIncll VI HIS
trade at once, If needed, who want en-
pioyment. He also testifies that there
are thousands who want work and are
In dire need Of it, and that there is no
reason for sending out Of the State for
either skilled CT unskiled labor.
Still another admits that in the spring
months there is a shortage of labor, and
because of accumulation of jobs of a
temporary character there is excess of
demand over supply in such a season as
thfS. but that after August at latest,
this ceases and then there is decided
lack of employment for willing laborers.
Here. then, is clear cut issue. It is
an issue Of fact; one not to be settled
out of hand by mere expression Of be-
lief. It involves facts, which must be
ascertained in order to Justify any safe
conclusion. At a venture we should
say that there is labor supply sufficient
a tine State to meet all demands, but
whether that labor is available at all
! times is another question There Is also
: ! rreat deal Of consideration to be given
10 the complaint CT unreliability OF some