Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-05-20

taken on at salaries of 500 per month, a
large number of the mechanics being en-
ployed by the month instead of by the day,
and in such cases the wages are often
raised after time If the men prove good.
Kicks and Kickers.
Many Of the mechanics, however, do a
large amount of miscellaneous kicking
Some begin to find fault the moment they
land, and others want to go back immedt-
ately with free trip to the states. On the
steamer which took ME to Panama we had
a dozen carpenters who had contracted with
the canal commission to work for 500 q
month on the basis of ten hours per day.
One of these was given room in a cottage
at Christobal Colon. His house faced the
sea 1t was newly painted and was as
bright as a new pin The man objected,
saying he wanted better quarters, but he
was told that the accommodations We're as
good as any one could expect and that If he
did not like them he could take his dis
charge. He went back home.
Many of the kickers object to the ten-hour
day, although the hours are specified in
their contracts with the commission, and
others want an increase of wages upon
their arrival. One plumber, for instance,
demanded $125 per month before going to
work He was told that if he could show
that he could earn S125 he would get it, but
not before. This man, before he left Wash
ington, had contracted for 500 month,
and az yet had not done a days work.
l find that the salaries here are rapidly
increased in proportion to merit. l have in
mind a painter who came down few
months ago at SIS He was closely watched
and it was seen that he could handle men.
At the end of the first month his salary
was raised to 500, and he is now getting
$125. This has been so in many cases.
Some Union Matters.
Mechanics who come here must not ex-
pect the same labor conditions they have
had in the United States They must be
willing to turn their hand to anything and
the foremen must expect to use TOOLS if
necessary. l talked the other day with Mr..
Stackelburg, who has charge of the plumb
ing of the zone. He says that his American
plumbers, receiving $3.50 per day, recently
objected to using tools. saying they had
been hired as boss plumbers only. Said he:
Il told them we would have to do every
thing could to accomplish results and
that l had worked with tools myself during
the first three months of my stay. As
said this they replied:
Go away! What are you giving us!
You look like dry goods clerkr
Well l said, How l look now makes
no difference l tell you, used tools every
day during that time. Using tools is a
part of the trade of plumber. 1 expect
to use them whenever it is necessary, and
l expect you men TO use them now that
1t Is necessary. Alter that IL nad no lur-
Their trouble"
1t is the same with boss carpenters and
boss mechanics of all kinds Those who
come here expected to do what they
are ordered, and they cannot draw the
line as to their work as they do in the
United States. The only men who are abso-
lutely independent in this respect are the
steam shovel and crane men, who work I'M
der an ironclad agreement with their union
and who receive from $13o to $115 per
month. l understand these men have rep
resentative in Washington, through whom
they deal as to their work.
The ten-hour day Is a necessity here, and
it is a question whether it can be changed
as far as mechanical labor in concern
ed. If eight hours given to GER
tain classes of American mechanics. 1t
will be with a provision as to overtime
and the men will have to work the ten
hours in order to not disturb the native
labor. When the construction of the canal
is in full swing there may be three shifts
of eight hours each day, the work going
on by means of electricity all night
through.
Some mechanics tell me that So a day
in the United States is as good as $50 a
day at Panama. / doubt this The me-
chanics have their quarters furnished, and,
through the new commisSary arrangements.
living will be better and cheaper 1t VIII
be well, however. for all to make fixed
contracts as to their wages before coming
to Panama. Good men will be in steady
demand and wages will be increased In
proportion to efficiency and skill. The best
mechanic will always command the high