New-York tribune., 1906-06-22
'FRISC0'S LACK OF IAR0p
Fezc Workmen Coming In from
Outside-Wages Soaring
~ r.lerr,nh - n. -


San Francisco. June 21-Much anxf..r
the labor situation here is being felt bv 49,.
who are laying plans for tire REBUILDING a, =
city. Builders are paUsins before mal,ins -
tracts for new work because Of the tronbla -
expect 10 have in getting skilled labor -
as the chances OF mechanics from outsiaa -
tins q footAold here are concerned. San r.
cisco has always been looked upon az h.t-.
surrounded by a Chinese wall. The labor mt
here have perfected their organization to A n,i..
beyond that Of most cities P r. McCar,s,
who is generally looked upon as being the I.aSs.
OF the unions. has demonstrated his shrewdne,,
in the present crisis.
Immediately after the disaster represeDtatv.,
OF the labor unions, at the instigation OF ".
Carthy. It is said caused word 10 be s...
throughout tire country that during the re5uHd
ing Of the city all union rules would be ana.
pended; that there would be no enforcement :,
the eight hour rule. that there would ba "A
double Pay for overtime and that a man couls
work as long as he liked for what ne could %,
This at first was looked upon as a phlIsu.
throplc stand on the part OF the unions in or
Ge- to make the work Of rebuilding the city a,
light as possible. But II looks now as II IL
would have just the opposite effect
Not only was this decision of the unions sent
broadcast. but, it is understood men were sen,
TO New York and other labor centres for the
purpose of quietly spreading the news around
The result has been that instead Of a rush o,
mechanics and skilled laborers 70 this city. AZ
had been anticipated only a few have come
from the East, When he is told that the usual
union rules will not prevail and that there Will
be no unusual opportunities FOR him here the
Eastern mechanic paUses before coming hera
ing here be members Of the union and that
means extra fees and other expenses. Bearing
all the5e things in mind. men from other cities
have apparently made UP their minds that II ls
not worth while to.come here.
The result has been that there are now no,
nearly enough skilled Iaborers in this city 10
meet the demand. Those who are here who
are the men who were here before the disaster.
are able 10 get extraordinary wages. not because
Of any demand Of the unions. but simply
through the competition for their services. For
instance. bricklayers are getting $50 day.
and wood lathers have been so much in demand
in some instances they have been paid as high
as S13 30 and $14 day.
The present outlook is discouTaging from the
builders point OF view. They are anticipating
all sorts OF trouble in getting men to DO the
work az anything like reasonable wages. and are
not taking any contracts for new buildings
cent after careful consideration. Builders from
out Of town have not exhibited any eagerness
to Jump into the field here after they have
looked over the situation.
The hope is expressed here. however. that the
discouraging prophecies Of some builders will
not be realized. and that the demand for labor
will become so acute that II will result in the
union men here being forced TO accede 70 ths
bringing In OF men from outside who will DO
permitted 20 work for reasonable wages.
The Pacific Mail liner Korea, which sailed yes
terday for the Orient. carried about five hun
dred destitute Chinese. rendered homeless by the
big fire. who are going back 20 China at the
expense OF the Chinese government. AS tns
refugees walked up the gangplank they eaen
received a small sum IN silver from the Chlnese
consul as pocket money.