New-York tribune., 1899-07-23
TOPICS IN CALIFORNIA.
SCARCITY OF LABOR - PRESlDENI
WHEELER - EXHIBIT OF WOODS
AT PARIS-DELAG ON The
WISCONSIN,
WISCONSIN
fny TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.

San Francisco, July 22.-One OF the remark
able features of this season in California Is the
great scarcity OF labor in all parts or the state
The worst sufferers are the railroad companies
and orchardlsts The Klondike and the Philip
pine war seem to have drawn OF thousahus ol
Young men, and those who remain, show great
fondness for city life and refuse TO go into the
country even when extra wages are oHered'
The result is that the Southern Paclhc mas Deeh
forced TO shut down work on the coast division
running to Santa Barbara, and the closing OF
this gap in what will be one OF the nnest Uur-
st roads in the country VIII be delayed at
least six months. Orchardists and Vneyardis'S
are having great difficulty In securing heIp 10
pick their crops. Many who used TO employ
white labor have been compelled 10 hire |I'iiiese
and Japanese, and even OF these there Is
scarcity. In some districts children nave peeii
largely employed. but they have not the stamina
10 endure steady work in hot weather Inc OUT
lcok is bad in several districts as some vi 'he
large crop will probably be wasted because OIL
the lack Of laborers to gather It,
The California Fruit Growers Association
corNpIeted it's organization this week. though
nr,or ARRANGEMENTS with orchardists enabled it
TO handle this seasons crop Twelve packing
compani4s were absorbed. The new association
is backed by heavy capital several of the larg-
est stockholders being directors of the Alaska
Packing Company. The object Is to limit the
ortnut of canned goods. insure high standard
of pack, reduced operating expenses, and pre-
vent the sacrifice Of goods, such as has occurred
often in recent years owing 10 the glut or the
market with certain varieties OF fruit.
MANY OF the leading grape growers and wine
makers Of the State have signed an agreement
to sell their grapes to Henry j. Crocker for the
next seven years at $14 ton. Mr.. Crocker
stands ready TO finance such an arrangement II
over 10 per cent OF the vineyardists In the state
will agree to his terms. 1t is the most feasible
plan ever presented for handling the grape crop
Of the State. paying the growers fair proht
and preventing the ruinous competition that has
often compelled growers to sell new wine for III
cents gallon.
Professor Wheeler, Of Cornell, was formally
elected president OF the State University this
week The Regents gladly gave him all the
power that he asked. and he Will begin his new
duties under the most favorable conditions. He
has impressed the Regents with his ability and
fairness and 1t looks as though the constant
auarres which have split up the faculty into
Jealous cliques will come to an end DR.. Wheeler
was emphatic in his statement that he did not
propose to surround himself with personal
friends. as he regarded such a course as fatal TO
success The faculty needs thorough over
hauling. however. II the university Is TO do its
best work In its scientific departments. espe-
ciallv In mining engineering II Is conceded that
no institution in the country surpasses 1t.
The appointment OF William II. Mills. land
agent OF the Southern Pacific company as an
honorary expert in the Forestry and Fisheries
Department of the Paris Exposition means much
TO California as Mr.. Mills will have entire charge
of collecting and arranging the State exhibit In
this department. Mr. Mills is an acknowledged
authority on California woods, and he VIII send
fine collection to Paris. He also expects to
send the trunk OF a gigantic sugar pine from
the McCloud River forests, near Mount Shasta.
The trunk is twelve feet in diameter, and a
thirty foot section will be shipped TO Paris.
! The new battle ship Wisconsin Is practically
finished by the Union Iron Works, but IT is not
expected that she will be ready to go into com
mission for eighteen months because OF me
failure OF the Government to furnish the side
armor Bids were solicited for this armor plate,
but the first bidders gave such low price that
they failed to deliver the material. and there
was n tedious delay. The barbette armor Of the
turrets is all on the machinery Is In and next
week the propellers will be put on In the dry
dock In three weeks the vessel VIII be ready
for her builders trial. The Union iron works
vii, probably put I'm a claim for damages. as
thev will have TO carry insurance and do much
extra work owing 10 the delay In furnishing the
armor.
Several treasure boats from the Klondike have
| reached this port and Seattle In course OF the
| week but the exact amount or gold they
| brought cannot he determined because OF the
| secretiveness OF the miners as they fear any
| frank admission OF the fortunes they have made
! may reach the ears OF the Dawson police. and
| cause them trouble over royalties. The Roanoke
/ brought the largest cargo estimated at $1,000