The San Francisco call., 1910-06-08
CAPITAL AND LABOR
ADVISED BY STAFFORD


Walter V. Stafford discussed 'San
Franciscos Manufacturing Industries
and Some Essentials Necessary to Their
Development He said in part:
It is estimated that 10 years ago over
10000 men were employed in the iron
trades around the bay of San Francisco
and on the peninsula. Today there are
approximately 5000.
Census reports show that in 1904
there were about $500 manufacturing
plants in the metropolitan area or bay
territory of San Francisco. AT that
time the increase exceeded all other
cities In the United States, except Buff
falo and ST. Louis, by "a per cent. To-
day in the same area there are less
than 1000 manufacturing plants. a fall
ing off in six years ofeover so per cent.
The fabrication of oil well equip
ment for central California amounts
to millions annually About per cent
OF this business comes to San Fran
cisco. Los Angeles is six months be-
hind with her orders, can not fill them,
and is coming here to get her surplus
work done. 1t is claimed that the high
here on account of the uncertainty of
employment They go to the oil fields
and the cities to the north and south
of us.
EFFECT OF COMPETITION
In the past San Francisco held her
own in ship building. She had a mo-
nopoly of the manufacture of mining
machinery, boilers, gas engines and
1t is conceded that the quality of the
work turned out in this city is unex-
celled, but the mining machinery has
gone entirely and the indications are
that the other things are going.
am advised that in the past organi-
cations of the type of the Merchants
association have used their influence
with transportation companies for
freight rates to be SO formulated as to
discriminate against local manufactur-
Ing industries in the interests of east
ern agencies.
1T is essential that the San Fran
cisco manufacturer shall realize that
the golden age" the days Immediately
following the "manana" DAYS Of the
Spaniard, have passed.
The fire burned away more than the
stores and factories with their con-
business connection with the Interior
merchant. Competitive communities
were not slow to take advantage and
San Francisco has undoubtedly discov-
cred that 1t is as big a thing to re-
build her commerce as to rebuild her
city.
NEED OF INDUSTRIAL PEACE
An important essential is industrial
peace. 1t is regrettable that much of
the public discussion of labor questions
is superficial.
The fact is, organized labor ALWAYS
intends to get all 1t can by any means
violent If necessary. The fact on the
other side is that employers as a class
want to reduce labor costs to the low
est point possible, and if it were possi-
unionfsm because It's effect is to raise
labor costs, and when each side knows
precisely what the other side thinks
and wishes it is in all respects best to
recognize it.
1t is to be feared that there must be
further contests in this city before
either side is ready for industrial peace.
That peace will certainly come. but it
can come only from equal economic
pressure on both sides. and economic
forces, while tremendous, act SLOWLY
The greatest success will come to
those centers in which capital and la
Dor cooperate most sincerely. The fact
Passion, happily, is fieeting. The best
friends are often those who have
fought until they have learned to re-
Spect each other.
say, the rank and file of union men
believe in slugging. if necessary to win
strike. and think they should frank
ly say so and defend it. as we defend
the rebellion against King George in
1775. They do not slug and encourage
smuggling because thev ie - are naturally
only way to win
ATTITUDE OF EMPLOYERS
/ have said that the employers would
reduce wages to the starvation point If
they could. That is not because they
are hoggish and unfeeling. but because
| IN the intensity OIL IiioueTH competition,
where the weakest will certainly go to
| the wall, each employer feels the neces-
| sity of reducing costs in order to keep
his head above water.
In the case of purely local industries
| high wage scale. is distributed over
| the entire community, which must carry
| the burden because it can not go to
| some other city to get its houses built
or get its dinner cooked and served or
| to hear. a band play In the case of
competitive industries if the labor cost
| 4
CAST TORIA