The labor journal. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1909-1976, 1920-03-19
THE SUN SHINES ON
THE METAL TRADES
IN THE BAY CITIES

SAN FRANCISCO, March Ia
."Production in the foundries and
ishipyards Of the bay district not
only is at a standstill, but hundreds
.of thousands of dollars are being
wasted by the incompetent nom
union workers employed in these
establishments.
such was the statement of Frank
IC. Miller, Secretary Of the Bay
ICiues Metal Trades Council. who
reported to the san Francisco Labor
Council last Friday night.
The strike was never in better
condition and victory is in sight, ="
Miller declared. Between so and
- commercial shops have met the
conditions of our Council and are
operating as fair shops.
The employers are weakening
all along the line A number of
I;nem have indicated a willingness
Ito negotiate with us. They would
come TO terms Immediately, were it
mot for fear Of the Steel Trust.
which threatens 10 withhold its
steel If they do so.
/ As an example of the incom-
lpetency of the workers employed in
the shipyards. Miller said that a
few DAYS ago the steamer Quadlin
was being prepared for its trial
trip at the Moore Shipbuilding Co.,
when the skilled" mechanics made
a bad error in connecting the en-
gines. The result was that the en-
gines were destroyed and that more
than $4,000 worth of damage was
done.
In the Bay Point yard of the Pa
cific Coast Shipbuilding Co., the
incompetency of the men has been
so glaring that the attention Of
Special Federal Attorney Schlesing-
er has been called to the conditions
in the yard. Schlesinger is inves-
tigating the shipyards of the Pa
cific Coast.
The Bay Cities Metal Trades
Council sent a communication TO
ISchlesinger in which it charged
that riveting gangs in this yard are
averaging as low as rs and "a riv-
cts a day. 1t was further charged
that riyets whose average cost
should be about five cents are cost
ing as much as ~ and 81 cents.
The communication, in part, fol-
lows:
The Bay Point ward of the Pa
lcific Coast Shipbuilding Co. at the
present time has but fifteen rivet-
Iers and fourteen clippers and
caulkers at work. Prior to the
strike October /. this yard en-
lployed between $50 and 200 rivet-
ers and about 100 clippers and
caulkers.
The total unfitness Of these
men for the expert work of ship
building is shown by their weekly
output. For the week ending Feb
ruary "A, an average OF 81 riyets
per gang per day was driven. The
average cost OF a rivet on Hull No.
|944 was 46.7 cents A days work
for a gang was between 400 and
/ 500 rivets.
These gangs that are driving "a
rivets day receive the same wages
that were paid the gangs that
drove between 400 and 500 rivets.
/ The difference in the cost is borne
by the public
For the week ending February
I21, eight gangs working on Hull
No. 944 drove an average Of IS
Iriyets per gang per day. The aver
/ age cost of a rivet on this hull was
SIS cents.
/ On Hull No. 945 for this same
week the average cost Of a riyet
was 1919 cents.
For the week ending February
rs. 81 riyets per gang per day were
driven. On Hull No. 947 during
this week. $50 rivets were driven
by two gangs. The average cost
4 Of a rivet was 20 cents.
+ These figures. we believe, show
conclusiyely that ship production
in this particular yard is virtually
at q standstill. They show, more
over, the tremendous amount OF
money that is being wasted.
Since these charges were made
Shipping Board inspectors have or
dered the Bay Point yard to discon-
tinue work on two bulls until men
that are competent 10 do the work
are obtained.
The total closing Of several
Yards because OF their inability tc