The San Francisco call., 1906-08-17

this protection that there will be no
dearth Of lumber. If, on the other hand,
this protection is denied there is but
one alternative for us to pursue, and
that is to abandon our trade in the
lumber business of San Francisco and
TO transact il with such ports on the
coast where we receive the protection
that is due us as merchants in the law
Iul transaction of our business and the
protection of our property and the lives
of our employees.
Requesting that you will kindly give
us your prompt decision and reply, we
remain yours respectfully.
UNITED SHIPPING AND TRANSPOR-
TATION ASSOCIATION
BY I. HOMER FRITCH. Secretary.
MAYOR SENDS SHARP REPLY.
San Francisco, Cal, Aug. 16, 1906.
]. Homer Fritch. Esq, Secretary
United Shipping and Transportation
Dear Sir-Receipt of your communi-
cation of the 14th instant relative TO
the differences existing between your
organization and the Sailors Union is
hereby acknowledged.
1 thank you for your expressions of
appreciation of my efforts to preserve
the peace and of the sincerity of my
desire TO do all that ] can, legitimately,
10 aid in the upbuilding and rehabili-
tation of our city. l certainly believe
that / have done everything in my
power to bring about a peaceful set
tlement of the industrial dispute be-
tween your association and the Sailors
OnlOns ana regret only that your or
ganization has not seen fit to meet at
least half way my well meant and re-
peated endeavorS to have the deplor-
able conflict between you adjusted by
arbitration. As | have on several oc-
casions pointed out to you, its contin-
uance can mean only additional injury
TO both sides and to the best interests
Of our city You have in your wisdom
chosen to make no attempt at settle
ment by arbitration, but have preferred
to carry on the strife. You now apply
enable you TO continue the industrial
war which is certainly not doing our
city any good.
QUIET ON WATER FRONT.
I have already ordered the Chief of
Police to preserve the peace and gen
eral order on the water front at all
hazards; I have requested him to de-
tail all policemen necessary to accom-
plish that result. He has evidently done
so as our official reports show that not
withstanding the strike there is less
trouble and disaster along the water
front today than under former condi-
tions. The police viii again be direct
ed by me to observe effectually the for
mer order TO preserve the peace and
10 prevent violence; and if, as
l read your communication, your re-
quest, or demand, means that you wish
additional police officers to be special
ly detailed for your various vessels
virtually as body guards to non-union
men, whom you say you have decided
to employ, permit me to advise you
that the police will not be used for that
purpose The police force is estab-
lished for the protection of public in
terests and not particularly for aiding
private enterprise. Moreover, the con-
oitionS in the city today are such that
every available policeman is now ac-
tually employed and engaged in the
performance of police duty and al that,
on account of our diminished revenues
tion of large part of our assessable
property, the police protection afforded
to the section Of our city is none too
great.
PEACE WILL BE PRESERVED.
1 cannot repeat too strongly that
peace Will be preserved, and violence
prevented so far as the power of the
entire municipality can accomplish it,
but the entire police force (as would
be necessary if your demand were to be
complied with) cannot and viii not be
detailed on practically private duty to
act as special body guards for the non
union employees of whom you make
mention.
Your threat to abandon your trade
in the lumber business of San Fran
cisco is certainly not in line with gen
uine desire to assist in the rebuilding
of the city, from which your busin ess
has already derived and is now deriv-
ing great profits, and while the carry
ing out of this expressed intention will
perhaps cause a temporary interference e
with the city's immediate progress, it
is possible that other means may be
also barely possible that the depriva-
tion of the profits of the business for
a while, might even induce your own
membership to resume the trade for a
short interval At any rate, the differ
ences between yourselves and the
Sailors Union based upon the latter 8
demand for a few dollars additional
monthly wage. will certainly not be al
lowed entirely to destroy this port, its
commerce or the citys rebuilding.
NOT AFRAID OF TIE UP.
have always met your association
and its members with the kindliest
spirit I have even voluntarily and
knowingly placed myself in a position
to evoke criticism of my devoted and
loyal Union Labor friends in order to
bring about a settlement of your diff
ferences. I must say that I have re-
luctantly come to the conclusion that
while your words are fair, there is
nothing in your action following such
words TO induce the belief that you
have sincerely desired a reasonable and
fair adjustment of existing conditions,
but it would seem rather that you
would prefer to rely upon the force of
your might, your power and your
wealth to compel such a conclusion of
the controversy as may be determined
Yourselves