Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-05-13
CARPENTERS
APPEAL TO
GOVERNOR
OBJECT TO EMPLOYING CONWCTS
Plans on Foot to Establish Eight Hour
Day for the Carpenters at Salem

The existence of labor troubles az
Salem and in Marion county has
been known to employers for some
time. but crisis was not reached
until at the end of last week. when
action was taken by the Salem Car.
penter's Union. leading to a partial
solution. Hop growers and ranch
ers generally have been hard pushed
to get farm hands. Marion county
has had to practically suspend build
ing highways on account of the scar
city OF men and teams. Especially
was the county work hindered by in.
ability TO get convict labor that had
been expected to crush rock and car.
ry on several much-needed exten.
sions. A larger force than ever be.
fore Is employed on the state stove
works, as the legislature made pro-
vision for the employment of three
gangs of convicts under some old
statute or custom, that provides for
the working OF convicts on the state
institutions. Laws passed at the last
session provided employment OF con-
vlcts at the state fair grounds, un.
der the state fair board, to build
sheds and new buildings, to cost the
state $4,000. Another force was
authorized to help construct the new
wing at the state Insane asylum, and
to make a million brick. The legis.
lature also made provision to clear
the ground. make the excavations
and do other work at the new state
institution for the feeble minded. All
these new employments for the con
victs have made such n demand upon
their time and services that none can
be had for building highways.
Carpenters Union Acts.
Salem Carpenters Union had a
large meeting Saturday night ana
considered the whole labor situation
at Salem. and finally took action in
appointing a committee TO wait on
the state officials. and see what could
be done To divert the employment of
convict labor on state Jobs. and allow
only free labor to be employed at
the state fair grounds and state In
stitutions. The committee Is COM
posed OF w. II. Petit. w. II. Woods
and l.. c. Fisher. They will first con-
suit with the governor and then ex-
tend the scope OF their inquiry. The
men say they want a fair deal. Is al
Some Action Necessary.
eve have got 10 stop the extension
Of convict labor 10 all kinds OF state
work" said a prominent member OF
the union today. In discussing thei
situation. "our best carpenters and i
many OF our contractors are forced
10 go TO Portland. and are moving
heir families there. Wages have
gone 10 four dollars a day for eight
hours. with half a day on Saturday
rhey are getting s24 for ~ hours
work. with our common labor and
mechanics and teamsters shut out
rom most OF the state work here az
he capital, what can we do, but all
20 10 Portland II costs more 10
i've there. and the reputation OF pay
ng big wages builds up any city. The
,lght-hour day makes room for an
additional laborer for every eight
nen employed. Unless We do some
hing al Salem. the building OF state
highways will become impossible
nd there will be little chance OF en-
loyment for free labor. the way the
legislature has fixed things" Plans
re completed for establishing an
ight-hour day for carpenters at sa'