The San Francisco call., 1906-06-29
EDITED BY o. NJ. BOYLE.

Al the meeting Of the Building
Trades Council last night the alarm
ing increase in the price of building
material and the manner in which
many landlords were treating their
tenants in demanding exorbitant rents
from them were discussed and the
stamp of disapproval was put upon
such tactics by the adoption of the fol-
lowing:
When the Building Trades Council on
April % took its stand with regard TO
houFs and wages, the action was not
taken without torethought and fore
elghJ concerning the attitude of GER
tan individuals who would in all prob
Gbihty DO their utmost to compiicate
me situation as time went on.
- The complications then expected
nave thus lar been realized in several
EaFllculars- The increase in the cost
OF some materials on the part of the
oealersi the increase in rents on the
part 9t some landlords, and unlawful
computations on the part of certain
smployer To the two latter elements
fhe Building Trades Council will here
In CeVote its attention.
1he action of the Building Trades
Nouncu IN giving notice TO the public
thar no increase in the minimum wage
scale or change in the hour schedule
on the part or the mechanics affiliated
with the Building Trades Council was
.kne expression Of those who could be
called upon 10 restore the destroyed
City, and the expression then is the ex-
Certain combinations, however. have
been Lor some time past concentrating
= taeir energies IN the production OF con-
eLuons which, II allowed 70 maintain.
would menace the welfare not only of
our individual citizens. but seriously
Eetard the growth and reconstruction
II, many instances throughout the
Enburned portion of the city we find
lanoloros. raising rents 10 an almost
NJ nra7V -
md the rents increased. but we md
some contractors refusing 20 employ
EklIeo Workmen who are today walk
Ing. the streets in search of employ
menI men who are eminently Guali-
rec, from union and all other stand
points, 10 perform the work REQUIRED
There can be but one deduction
drawn. and that is 10 make it apparent
Il The public az large that there is
scarcity Of skilled labor and that the
E0St OF work must be cores spondingly
i$Lcreasedi that the owner who desires
r % rebuild his destroyed improvements
In3st pay outrageous figures for the
work.
p. This council has always extended
protection 10 owner, contractor and
3Ourneyman, in order that the rights
OF each be fully safeguarded and be
accorded equal justice; that the owner
be protected against delay in his
oLilolng operations by reason of trade
disputes, that the contractor be secure
IN MS work against a raise Of wages
or change Of hour schedule during the
existence Of a contract; that the jour
'-Beyman be secured against encroach-
uent by incompetent and unskilled
persons who would work indefinite
hours At inferior pay, and increase the
EeTsQnaI hazard of the skilled jour
p ~neyman- as vel as 70 entail loss 70
the- owner. through their incOmpetency.
Com Ibin ations between certain en-
plOyers who agree to hire only certain
cred entIaled employees and certain ere
6enrialed employees who agree TO work
for none other than those certain en-
ployers are unlawful conspiracies and
subject 70 the action OF our courts
This phase Of the question has just
appeared in our city and promises i'm
measurable loss and DAMAGE 70 our
Uechanics,- the owner and builder as
Wen. as q serious obstacle to the re-
hsoilicatiOn Of our city
such sction permits Of a curtailment
OF The number OF mechanics employed,
restricts such employment to certain
persons and places II within the power
OF such employers in combination 10
demand and receiVe unreasonable rates
This council has always been found
upon the siSe Of right; and governed
by the spirit Of justice 10 all parties
in interest, believing that such a poll
cy-is the only policy that enlightened
management could suggest. and that
the influence Of such a policy would at
tract capital TO the Improvement OF
Our city. In this hour OF adversely the
2 necessity for such a policy is fntensi-
ned. q thousand times If ever men
were called upon TO exemplify the
spirit Of true American manhood this
Il the time Our city demands the
i
one who, prompted by greed and self
ssh motives. is backward, and under
cover invents and fosters measures di-
rected 10 its material injury and re-
among US
The Building Trades Council viii not
oountenance nor tolerate this attempt
ed. combination The Building Trades
Council comprises the mechanics in all
the building crafts and viii protect
chose crafts at all hazards The per-
Al 0f bring l.
. cen2nation upon and financial injury to
tEe rest
The Building Trades Council there
+ fore .denounces this combination Of en-
EIoyers hereinbefOre mentioned, and
gives notice that If the tactics at
Lsmpteo are not Immediately dispensed
With. TO. the end that all deserving !
skilled union mechanics be accorded
fair treatment, this council viii
rake such steps as viii bring the mat /
ter 10 a speedy and disagreeable ter 4
uinatiOn TO those who are responsible /
Tor endeavoring 10 bring about such
AS. 10 the landlord who is taking un-
reasonable advantage of the homeless /
fn their hour Of necessity. he may be
Sammarily and speedily dealt with. |
We denounce his miserable conduct
and reserve the right TO exercise our
constitutional priyilege wi as citizens 70
property and notice is hereby given /
that unless he Immediately cease his !
EOuging we shall positively and abso- ]
lutely refuse 10 do his work.
g, All contractors are. by this Build I
ing Trades Council, requested to fur /
nish 20 this council the number Of men |
over and above those now employed by I
them necessary 10 conduct their work, /
ss well as the character and duration /
of the employment. TO the end that San I
Francisco may be rebuilt, its business I
rehabflitated and its people given the 1
Comforts to which they are entitled, as
speedily as possible.
Che secretary called attention 10 a
dispatch from Vienna to the London
Standard stating that commission was
travelling in Europe. visiting all large
cities, engaging building mechanics TO
come to san Francisco. These mechan-
les are being offered free transporta-
ton high wages and contracts run ]
ming for ten years. The secretary was
Instructed TO communicate with all ma |
tionaI and international labor bodies /
and councils N all European countries
advising them Of the true industrial
condition IN this city.
Ground will be broken next week for
the Building Trades Temple to be erect |
ed at Fourteenth and Guerrero streets. |
There is every prospect that it viii be