The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1907-01-23
EDITED BY o. M. BOYLE

Twelve years ago the hrst Photo
Engravers' Union in San Francisco
was organized by J. J. O'Neu editor
OF the Labor Clarion and recently
appointed Supervisor by Mayor
Schmitz. At that time the union had
membership or thirty, and Of the
six engraving houses not one was
unionized. In 1907 the union Is well
on financially and with its member
ship Quintupled. or the twenty-eiEht
shops ia the city twenty-seven are
unioniZeo. During the last twelve
years but two strikes have taken
place, the longest one lasting FIVE
days. In this period but one strike
has been called in a commercial shop,
and that was OF but four hours dura-
ton Among the phOtO-engravers'
local laws are found some OF the
strictest that exist in labor unionism.
and some provide severe punishment
Tor any action tending TO 5eOpardize
The friendly relations between the
union and the prOprietors. This has
engcndered g spirit Of good feeling
between employer and emplOye. and
the union never has much trouble In
securing satisfactory contracts. It's
members were among the first TO en-
Joy the eight-hOur day. AT each IN
ternsrtOual convention one Of the del
egates from No. s is Invariably given
p place on the executive council This
is q recognition Of the conservative
policy that has always been pursued
by this union. The union always has
one or two OF its younger members
on its executive board, in order TO
train them TO m Ike some OF the burden
from the older men. The unions charter
has never been closed, and the initiation
Zee and dues have never been in
creased but once. Henry Winkleman
81. Of Ia w
as still AN officer. When the union
was organized wages were very low,
considering the nature Of the work
required. but since that time the in
crease. though gradual, has been such
that today the compensation is sec
oud only 10 that OF the printers. All
this has been accomplished without
strikes or l0ckouts and without an
appeal for financial aid to any organ
ization.
since giving my interview. which
appeared in yesterday mornings Call
in reference TO General Funston's at
tack on union labor. says o. A Tveit-
moe, secretary Of the Building Trades
Council II have learned a few things
about General Funston, and which
largely go 10 explain the sentiments
which actuate his attitude toward
organized labor.
cral Funston was called 10 assist the
city administration on the 18th day
of April, when San Francisco was
burning IL has been ascertained that
Funston issued some very drastic and
iu-considered orders. which We're
largely responsible for the blowing
mp OF some OF the best buildings and
the destruction by fire Of large sec
tions Of the city
In addition. ii is generally accept
ed by the citizens OF San Francisco
that General Funston made a most
grievOus error in his dynamiUng or
ders. and for over day during the
great cOnfagratiOn his orders simply
added fuel TO the flames Had he used
the discretion which is generally eN-
pected from one in his high station
many citizens believe at least half the
city could have been saved. Had Ire
ordered blocks TO be destroyed back
Of the fire. the confiagratiOn would not
have swept over two-thirds OF the
city These are some Of the blunders
which can justly be placed at his
door. and our stricken city viii ever
remember the name Of Funston when
the great disaster Of April is is re-
called.
Considering the excitement and the
terrible efforts OF the calamity Of that
dav upon all Of our people. there may
joe at least q chance for generous eN-
cuse even for General FuustOn's hasty
and ill-considered action. but what is
worse are facts that have come TO
our knowledge whereby General Fun
ston ordered the teamsters OF the
ouartermaster's department TO haul
load after load of the best food that
was sent for the relief of the stricken
DeopIe OF san Francisco TO the resi-
dents Of Pacific and Preside Heights.
.-The teamstcrs are stiu in the en-
piov Of the Quartermaster's department
and III summoned before a competent
investigating body, where they would
have to give sworn testimony and tell
the whole truth and nothing but the
truth. the evidence would show that
General Funston, I'm the direst hour OF
distress. did not care a bit for the suf-
ferings Of the poor, but was exceeding
~ anxious 10 relieve the wealthy resi-
dents Of the Pacific Heights General
Funston conhscated the food and
clothing that belonged 10 the poor ana
gave 81 TO the rich.
1T SIS. therefore, natural that a man
Of that kind OF mind and heart would
like 10 see San Francisco rebuilt by
convict labor An ordinary working
man. 10 the FunstOnian conception Of
labor, SIS on q par with the felon IN the
state penitentiary. and the only people
that he knows OF are the wealthy idle"
Rartenders' League No. a met Mon
day night at $50 McAllister street
seven candidates were obligated and
nine applications received. A donation
of s35 was made TO sick member
business Agent Ferris Is now signing
the Fillmore street houses and next
week viii commence IN the Mission dis
trict. Gus Witte died suddenly on Mon
DAY night OF peneumonia. DE was
nrorainent member Of the league and
his many friends VIII be pained 10 learn
of his demise.
BARRIERS Union no 14S met at Labor
council Temple Monday night and
Initiated five candidates. Seven apph-
cations were received and thirteen re-
fnstatenents were made. The support
Of the Labor Council VIII be asked 10
further the BARRIERS law now before
the Legislature. l. Hosford was elected
Guardian Two additional delegates
were elected 70 the Labor Council
Daniel r. Tattenham and George Bor-
ges being selected.