The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1899-08-05
SUBSCRIPTIONS.


committee was in receipt of letter upon
which he thought some action should be
taken in the meeting. 1t referred TO the
reinstatement in their old places of en-
ployment of the returning volunteers. He
said there ought to be an organization of
citizens to procure employment for the
returned volunteers who are not able to
get their former places. The letter was
read as follows:
SAN FRANCISCO. Aug. 4. 1899.
NJ. H de YOung-My Dear Sir: l am in re
TO be present at the council chambers OF the
Board of Supervisors in the City Hall at
clock this DAY TO consider questions reiatlVe
to the reception of our California boys ana
other soldiers returning from the Philippines
to the character OF the reception that our boys
viii get when they reach home; that will be
all right. My. anxiety about the boys COM
mences at the date of their discharge.
I think one of the most useful committees
that could be appointed would be one whose
of these boys was employed before going
away, and if possible, TO get a pledge that
every one should have his old place open TO him
when he returns. -Four splendid young fellows
left house to go to the war; one died at
Manila. The others all have their old
places Immediately after they return. In doing
this none of our present employees will be dis
If a similar promise could be obtained from
other employers whose boys left to go to the
war 1 am sure that more permanent good
would come from such pledges than any other
work that can or Will be done by the com
mittee having these matters in charge. If we
did our whole duty now not only 10 prepare
a hearty and royal welcome when these boys
arrive but to secure them steady honest EN-
ployment after they return. San Francisco need
never have a soldier on the street, late from
the Philippines, who, by neglect has been
driven to be a tramp or bum.
We have also one representative in Colonel
Summers regiment, now at the Preside. and
have written our Portland manager to reinstate
him soon as the Oregonians reach home.
Yours very truly A. h. VAIL
THE executive committee, in its head
quarters tent" said Mayor Phelan, has
nd q Tola . q ~ q n u
great register upon which may be in
sCribed the names of the boys returning,
and l think the committee could make
efforts to secure employment for any that
are unable to do so.
Right here" he continued, IT would
like to correct the impression that we are
First California. We are endeavoring to
provide for all who showed a disposition
to and did enlist. The Native Sons Com
mittee has found at least 5000 men who
enlisted in California A large number of
these, through no fault of their own were
compelled to remain at home. I think
we should take care of them as the Native
Sons have. It will interest the State in
our work. When there Is reunion, as
there undoubtedly will be, all Californians
who enlisted will come here and be re-
II do not think" said Henry t.
Scott, there will be any trouble
about the. California boys getting back
their old places. So far as the Union Iron
Works is concerned they will They had
that promise before they left. and | think
other employers in the city feel the same
way. I will say, too, for the Union Iron
Works that after our own volunteers are
back at work, if there are any good me-
chanics among the other volunteers look
ing for work, We'll give them jobs"
Fire Commissioner Bohen said the men
who enlisted from the Fire Department
would get back their places. Captain Mel
son added that If there was a scarcity of
jobs in the city for returning volunteers
there was plenty of opportunity in the
lumber woods of Humboldt County. to
which he would be glad to give them
transportation.
The meeting then adjourned, with the
understanding that the executive council
was to meet this morning at II o'clock at
the Chronicle building