In one corner is a railed-off desk space where sit two or three kindly faced old men. An iron railing running the length of the room separates capital from labor. They slouch like habitual park loungers. A dull spirit of lethargy hangs over the room. The waiting peasants read dirty scraps of newspapers, or chat disconnectedly.
Employers come in from time to time and tell the man behind the railing their needs.
A young fellow stood up like a boy at school, came forward and talked with the employer in German. Then he went back and sat down. Another man looked up from his paper, spoke to the baker, and the two departed chatting like old friends. From 1,000 to 1,500 persons find employment every month at this bureau, which is maintained by the German Society of the City of New York and the Irish Emigrant Society. Usually, however, the immigrants rely on friends or relatives for a start.