The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1918-02-26

which theSgOVernment Is deslrOus
Of reTs-Ssrliag men, We repro
duce it for me benefit of those
who are Interested in this work
2-22-IS.
Hotel Plaza.
Seattle, Wash
The Record,
St. Maries, Idaho.
| have noticed that you have
printed an appeal from the L. :.
shipping Board for shipbuilders,
and l have received many letters
asking about the conditions,
wages, expenses, etc, so, having
gone through the mill, / will try
to give a vague idea, of what it is
My experience is entirely with the
steel constructed ship of $500
ton capacity and l am Head Ship
Filter or foreman of one of the
hulls under construction.
Now-hrst of all-mechanics
are wanted, and the outcome of
the terrible war seems to depend
IAN them to great eXtent-but,
'remember-m mechanics are speci-
fed in the U. S. Shipping Boards
appeal, so my letter to you is SO
that men who are not mechanics
will not incrue unnecessary eX-
pense i'm coming to Seattle, but
there had ought To be many men
in st. Maries that are carpenters
Trough and cabinet that prob
ably would pay to have them
come. There are three general
classes: common labOrers, help
ers, and mechanics. Common
laborers, so cents per hour, 8
hours; helpers, Sc p cents per
hour, hours; mechanics, rs
cents to $3.50 per hour, hours.
over time is paid as double time,
and a great deal of over time is
necessary at present. Today 5000
men at Skinner & Eddy's Corpora
ton worked and will receive two
days pay for it.
In the very first place ii is alb
solutely necessary to either be-
long or To join a union. The one
here is called Boiler Makers and
Shipbuilders Union, Local JO1.
One can not work long without
being found out as there are
10000 members. The fee for
joining l think is $40 To SIS, half
down with application, that is as
a helper, the other half at time of
admittance, then usually about
1926 per month for dues The
Union has done wonders for all
aud works in splendid harmony
-szlkith the Government, for we all
feel our duty very strongly
Everyone seems to be working
with that view i'm mind-"Oul
necessity for more ships
The u. S. Shipping Board do al
the hiring with the help of the
Union, for all yards.
Now then, there seems to be ;
story about "a cinch" i'm the ship
yards. Let me advise anyone look
ing for a "cinch" does not wan
to tackle the steel shipbuldine
game. it is heavy work, hard an'
rough, but the man who will APP
ply himself can locate very goo'
work, and can get along good
"There is plenty of room at TN
top, but the ladder is creased,
as has been said.
If there are any men who ar
mechanics or mechanics helper
and are idle, their duty is here
they will be paid well, and wi
sure like Seattle.
Now i'm regard to expenses
Board and room can be had q
$50 per month at boarding house
and private families. Hotel rate
for room are seldom under SO pc
week, and the rooms are nothin
extraordinary at all. For me
with families rent for bungal
~ rooms modern-range frOl
S25 up, of course the usual pre-
walls, according to location
close in, etc.
AS to meals, the general run
- meals is from 40 cents to 60 CEN
: for a dinner, of course a breal
fast about % cents or 30 cent
lunch, 25 cents or 30 cent
steak at dinner from rs cen
to 90 cents. Every restaurant
crowded.
Car service is very poor
there are five ship yards WI
about 5000 men each all going
and coming from work at t
same time. They haven't SUI
cient conductors and motorme
H. 10 NOT nav The wages.