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Asbestos workers                        | Enter at any age       |
Bricklayers                             | Between 16 and 23      |
Carpenters                              | Between 17 and 22      |
Cement finishers                        | Must be full grown     |
Elevator constructors                   | Must be full grown     |
Lathers                                 | Must be 18 years old   |
Inside wiremen                          | Between 16 and 21      |
Painters and paperhangers               | Before 21 years old    |
Plumbers and gas-fitters                | Must be 16 years old   |
Sheet metal workers                     | Must be over 16 years  |
Slate and tile roofers                  | Must enter before 25   |
Steam-fitters                           | Must be full grown     |
Structural and ornamental iron workers  | Between 18 and 25      |
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TABLE 24.—­UNION REGULATIONS AS TO LENGTH OF APPRENTICESHIP PERIOD

Trades in which indentures are usually signed
    Bricklayer 4 years
    Plasterers 4 years
    Sheet metal workers 4 years

Trades in which indentures are seldom signed
    Steam-fitters 5 years
    Carpenters 4 years
    Inside wiremen 4 years
    Plumbers and gas-fitter 4 years
    Cement finishers 3 years
    Asbestos workers 3 years
    Painters and paperhangers 3 years
    Slate and tile roofers 3 years
    Lathers 2 years
    Structural and ornamental iron workers 11/2 years
    Elevator constructors varies

All obtainable information points to the conclusion that the number of apprentices employed in the city is far below the maximum permitted by the unions.  Many large contractors have no apprentices and say they will not bother with them.  Others state that they have been unable to get or keep good apprentices and have therefore given up the plan.

UNION ORGANIZATION

The building trades are among the most strongly organized in the city.  It is estimated that their unions at the present time include about 90 per cent of all the men engaged in building work.  Practically all the large contracting firms employ only union labor.  The few non-union workers are employed by small contractors.

Requirements for admission to the different unions vary to a marked degree.  If the union is strong and has a good control over the labor supply, admission fees are higher and regulations as to apprentices and helpers are more stringent than if the union is fighting to gain a foothold.