The San Francisco call., 1906-09-21
Lack of Mechanics and
Material Is Causing
Tedious Delay.

discussed at a meeting Of the Down
town Property Owners Association
yesterday afternoon in the rooms OF
the California Promotion Committee
and an attempt was made to launch a
definite campaign against the reported
action of the unions In restricting the
coming of workmen from the East to
share in the privileges or labor on the
coast.
The meeting was called by NJ H.
de Young, chairman OF the association,
in response to a letter from George E.
Starr. in which the writer demanded
to know II the property owners were
bunch of lambs who would not take
steps to surmount the present and fu-
ture extortions exacted by the labor
unions for higher wages; and the job
bers for cinching prices of building
materials"
De Young, after he had read this let
ter. called the meeting, where there
were many speeches, some truly elo-
quent. like that of Patrick Calhoun,
whose eyes almost filled with tears
when he spoke Of the love he had for
the unions; that of Thomas Magee,
which was business-like and to the
point and which did not seem to please
de young; that of George D. Clark.
" AO SclQ lnCl0 WCAS OlHCL tAOAOACo bS-
sides that of want OF men and high
wages: that Of W. J. Bartnett of the
Western Pacific, who worked himself
into a fury of oratory, and character
ized all San Francisco property owners
as men of tongue but not of work.
Patrick Calhoun was the principal
speaker and voiced his plan to save
San Francisco from strangulation by
the labor wall" In carefully prepared
and explicit language. His hearers
were not altogether sympathetic, al
though all agreed that something
might be done after more considera-
tion. Thomas Magee championed the
high wages idea. and A Ruef, while he
did not speak at length, let it be known
that he was not in favor of a move
ment to cut the wages now being paid
to carpenters and masons.
The results of the meeting were two
resolutions. one of which is merely pre-
liminary IN it's scope. 1t embodies the
plan of first calling on the labor lead
ers and asking them politely to fix a
permanent normal scale of wages. The
second resolution is shorter, but it Is
built of sterner stuff. Under the cap
ton Of a Transportation Committee
seven men were appointed to arrange
for reduced fare for workmen coming
here from the East The import of
lulS dCllOn Is IN reality the establish
ment of an Independent labor bureau
which shall prevent the continuance of
the shortage in the labor market and
the attendant opportunity for the
unions TO increase their demands for
wages. w. ]. Bartnett said that he
had experienced the difficulties arising
from the scarcity of labor on the coast
during the construction work on the
Western Pacific, and Calhoun was of
+f~o int hot
East could be brought here at a cheap
rate and persuaded that they would re-
ceive a friendly reception from the
unions the labor situation as far as 1t
was hindering the rebuilding of the
city would soon adjust itself. Others
were less sure of their ground and
argued for delay.
The following is the text Of the first
resolution:
Whereas, Owing to the heavy and
inordinate increase of cost of materials
and labor since the great fire an alb
normal coalition of affairs has been pro-
duced which, while IL does not prevent
for trade purposes because the in
creased cost can be paid out of the
profits of the business or of temporary
structures for housing purposes the
ratio of increased cost is too great to
permit owners Of property to erect
large, permanent buildings which will
yield any profit to the investor; there
fore be ii
Resolved, That the chairman of this
meeting be authorized to appoint a
committee of seven. who shall solicit
a conference with the Building Trades
Council to see If Ii is possible to ar
range with that body that at some date
in the near future the wages in all the
building trades be fixed at the normal
rate existing prior to the fire, and that
the same shall continue for a period Of
two years or during the time neces-
sary to execute the contracts This
committee is also instructed to inter-
view the lumber trade, glass, paint. oil
and all other building material trades
men to secure from them an assurance
Of some fixed price for their materials
during the coming year, so that con-
bid for the erection of buildings with
some actual knowledge as to the cost
of labor and materials. This committee
Will report back to the association at
their earliest convenience at meeting
to be called by the chairman to hear
their report.
LACK OF HARMONY.
When inharmonious notes were
struck by Bartnett and Magee the first
feeling was that there would be re-
pudiation and recrimination. But on
the contrary everybody agreed that
there was no unity, too much talking.
and too little work: and in order to
prove this amendments to the resolu-
tion were proposed more committees
were added, and more oratory was in
dulged in.
Then Thomas Magee suggested that
an adjournment be taken.
What" cried President NJ II. de
Young, adjourn sine die?"
Yes" replied Msgee. till we get
to know what we want"
We'll we won't know anything more
about the ruins week hence than we
do now, and I propose that we don't
adjourn" retorted De Young
The motion for adjournment was lost.
Magee being the only one voting aye
The flow of oratory was set in full
tide by Patrick Calhoun. He spoke
long and earnestly and he took good
deal of time in trying to teach the bus
mess men of the city their duty.
He said in part as follows:
! am not an opponent Of organized
labor. With a wide knowledge of la
Dor conditions in the country, the sem
timent of protecting labor in it's rights
is as strong with the laborer as with
the property owner
You cannot expect to build as cheap
~ as you did few months ago Ev-
erything has gone up. There is cor
rective for the labor market / would
suggest as a practical remedy that
you organize strongly with a numer-
Gus membership. Say to your labor
49,.