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Show Drink The Cause Of Inefficiency Contractor So Testifies Before the Federal Industrial Relations Committee San Francisco, Aug. 31. Drink Is the agent which most frequently brings tho American laborer to the stago whero ho must accept casual employment, F. S. Edinger, a con-ti con-ti actor, who deals with largo bodies of unskilled workers, testified today beforo tho federal Industrial relations rela-tions commission. His assertion came In connection with a statement that he preferred not to employ unskilled un-skilled American workmen. "We do not employ many native born Americans when wo can 'do otherwise," ho said. "Tho reason for this Is that an efficient American workmnn usually can get a steady position. po-sition. Tho class of Americans who havo to take our work generally Is the kind we do not want. Tho cause of this inelllclency most often is drink." ' The Mexican laborer, added the witness, was the best man with" whom, to trust a team In such lines as grading grad-ing work. What is the minimum amount required re-quired for actual living expenses was a question that caused much discus- Blon by different witnesses today. Mr. Edlnger said his firm found it Impossible to meet expenses in boarding board-ing employes ut $5.25 a week. F. M. Andrcanla member of the Italian consulate, testified that good board and room could be obtained here for four dollars a week. W. S. Wollner of the Northern Pacific railway said many seasonal workers wintered hero on forty cents a day, pajlng ten cents for' lodging and thirty cents for food. 'nbtli" Jlr. AndreanC and A', L. Wilde" general business representative representa-tive of tho Steam Shovel Mon's union criticised tho lack of "first aid" ta cllltles in construction camps. They' cited cases Intended to prove that injured in-jured workmen often wero not given proper medical attention until many hours nftor they had been hurt. m t |
