The San Francisco call., 1907-01-25
EDITED BY o. M. BOYLE

A crisis IN the construction work on
the large buildings Of the city appar-
entity has come from the discovery by
the union labor leaders that false am
davits were used by a Chicago sheet
metal manufacturer in bracing UP his
firms attempt to make good on a con-
tract TO supply the iron windows for
the Merchants Exchange building. The
af1davits declare falsely, Il is alleged,
that the work on these metal windows
was done in Chicago under such con-
diuons as labor unions here prescribe,
the matter Of hours, wages and other
conditions having been all observed by
the Chicago firm. The afidavits were
supposed 10 be necessary TO persuade
labor unions here that they would vio-
late no union rules in handling sheet
metal stun made IN the Chicago plant.
WOrkmen from this particular man
ufactory in Chicago have come to this
city. attracted by the prospect OF high
er wages. They have informed their
brethren OF the craft that their am
davits We're secured under false pre-
lenses and were bogus documents. The
Information came as q bombsheu into
the councils Of the union men. They
believe they have detected an attempt
on the part OF Eastern manufacturers
with "open shop" plants to send nom
union material TO this city under false
afi6avits and have the material ham
died here by union men.
p H. Mccarthy has left for Chicago
10 make rigid Investigations there con-
ceruing the fraudulent afidavits. Many
local union men believe that Mccarthy s
inquiries viii result IN the local unions
putting a bar TO the further importa-
tion Of the Eastern product by declin-
ing to handle All metal made under
nOnuniOn conditions. Such action would
aid the local manufacturers Of sheet
metal, as they have been compelled 10
compete with the Eastern firms in bid
ding for sheet metal contracts.
Local manufacturers say they can
not bid as low on these contracts as
Eastern firms when wages here run as
high as $3.50 as the minimum wage a
day, with each day limited to eight
hours. while IN the open shops OF the
East wages are from 80 to SO per cent
less and a working day is Of ten hours
duration. The magnitude Of the busi-
ness involved is shown by the cost Of
sheet metal windows for a single
building. the Merchants Exchange.
where $4,000 was spent for such flX-
lures.
The metal windows for this build
ing are here and ready TO be installed.
with them Is an agent Of the company,
armed with afidavits showing that
union conditions We're observed in the
making Of the windows. Against the
afidavits are the emphatic declarations
of the mechanics who made them, ac-
cording TO men prominent in the in
dustry. these statements being that the
affidavits are false and that they were
obtained under false pretenses.
Pending the settlement Of opposing
declarations the labor union men de-
clare the metal windows viii remain
as they are and that in the event of at
tempts 70 set them up the union men
viii walk cut on the job Of rebuilding
the Merchants Exchange Union men
say that a statement 10 this effect was
made by p. H. Mccarthy at q banquet
OF the Sheet Metal Workers Union
which was held recently.
The Merchants Exchange building
is said TO have been chosen for a test
case TO decide a controversy between
the local construction companies and
the iron manufacturers. The manufac-
turers desire TO get contracts for iron
work on new buildings, representing
millions Of dollars. They saE that they
do not pretend TO be able to compete
with Eastern firms operating open
shops and paying low wages for a
long days work Their desire to OBJ
ain the business IS approved by the
unions, who appreciate the difficulty
involved in trying 10 compete with
workmen paid lower wages than sheet
metal workers command in this city.
H. p. Scott presided at the weekly
meeting Of Walters Union No. so on
Wednesday night at 1195 Scott street
Dr. s. W. GOodale vas appointed ply
sician OF the union. The following
committee was chosen to draft rules
10 govern the new sick benefit: o. w
Mcguire. A. Renk, Burt La Rue, J. w
CASTOR and A. c. Beck. President
Charles Fleischmann of Cooks Union
no. a. appeared before the meeting
and suggested that steps be taken to
request the commissary department Of
the Southern Pacific Company to dis
charge its japanese help and substi-
tute union men. The following COM
nlttee was appointed to act in con-
junction with the cooks in the mat
ter. r. l. Grimmer. A. Q. Rose and
Theo Johnson. Charges were filed
against a member for working more
than ten hours a day. II found guilty
the constitutional fine viii be i'm
posed The sum Of $50 was donated
to several sick members. II was de-
cided that the newly elected record
ing secretary is to take Office next
Wednesday evening. The new head
quarters Of the local are being erected
on Eddy street, a few doors above
Larl1in.
The reelection for president and
recording secretary took place yester-
day. but the ballots viii not be counted
until today. J. j.. Kirkpatrick and A.
q Rose are the candidates for the
presidency and A. c. Beck and A
e--t.rf.-.s,. q - the candidates for record