The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-12-29
EMPLOYERS AND EMPLOYES-IN CITY
AND COUNTRY.
FROM the N. z. Tribune.


FROM the NJ 2. Tribune.
One of the newest of our city institutions
is proving to be one of the worthiest, already
realizing degree Of success that may we'll en-
courage other similar efforts in large cities
for promoting the public welfare in town and
country. The ''Free Labor Bureau" in the
first six months of its existence, has demon
strated what may be done by well-directed
effort in bringing together employers and en-
ployes on terms mutually advantageous
viding situations for the destitute, and pre-
venting or relieving much distress-thus aid
ing to solve one of the most important prob
lens of society, especially in large cities.
Mul1tudes on both sides of the industrial
question-persons wanting ''help, and others
needing employment-have now at last an in
stitution where their respective necessities
can be answered successfully within its limited
sphere The matter is worthy of special
attention by all who stand in either relation,
in city and country; for the dearth of "help'
in the rural districts renders doubly impor-
tant an institution that enables thousands of
our country friends to secure adequate as
sistance from the superabundant population
of the cities-from other large cities as well
as from New York, as it cannot be doubted
that other cities will profit by our example in
establishing this important bureau.
Editors through the land, especially in the
may benefit their readers by turning their
attention toward a responsible public institu-
tion like this in New York, where thousands
may be found who will gladly take situations
in regions where they can enjoy more COM
fort, with prospect of greater worldly pros
perity than usually follows employment in
large cities. In this way large amount of
inconvenience and distress may be prevented
or remedied and all parties (employers and
ha ll,y\ l,.,
greatly benefited.
The Free Labor Bureau is, as yet very
little known even in this city, for it has not
been advertised as it should be to produce the
full results that it is capable of effecting. A
few facts respecting its first few months may
at least family indicate the great benefits it
can render when its character is widely known
in country as well as city, Personal examina-
ton of the Institution and its records cheers
us in saying a few words about what has
been already accomplished. In the six
months since its rganization-from June Is
to December lit has supplied the wants
of about twenty-eight thousand persons,
by furnishing over fourteen thousand GA, ,023)
persons with employment, and of course
about an equal number of employers with
''help" About one-fourth of the persons
furnished with situations are males, and the
remainder women and girls. In addition to
ployers and employees thus supplied as they
desired, there are about seven thousand ap-
plicants on the books for help and for en-
ployment-among which number the en-
ployers are nearly sixteen hundred more
numerous than the persons seeking places
| Here then is total of more than thirty thou
sand persons brought together as employers
and employees during the brief career and
with the limited means of this single bureau
Lat fha Of hrr 1,a f,lIx
understood through the country as we'll as in
the city, and the increased applications will
soon form an aggregate which will render
even that thirty thousand comparatively
small number 1t is an encouraging sign,
at this early stage of the enterprise, that
about one-third of the employees were pro-
Vided with situations in the country.
The way that employers and employees are
brought together aids greatly in satisfying
both parties. The Legislature having pro-
vided $40, 600 towards paying the expenses of
'the experiment" as it was considered, the
applicants have nothing to pay-so that
bribery and collusion, so frequently charged
against some of the ordinary intelligence
offices, find no field for operations here. The
| scrutiny of character contributes largely to
the gratifying results. Testimonials or refer
ences are required, so that unworthy en-
| ployers, especially in the case of females,
|
getting recruits for unworthy purposes. Ap.
| plicants for places are, of course, required tC
furnish characters or recommendations
All these testimonials, on both sides, are re-
ferred to in connection with the names in
appropriate registers; besides which, there is
another record, a 'Black Book" wherein are
entered the names of employers and en-
ployes who may be found unworthy of conf
dence. Gambling and other ''houses" Of
unpleasant description are noted accordingly
as soon as their characters are ascertained-
for ''help" is not sent to suspicious places
while unworthy employees are duly marked
in the same 'Black Book" with the offensel
for which they were discharged.
The manner in which all Registered" per
sons are treated inspires respect for the insti
tuition among employers aud employees as i
must also among all visitors. Excellent ordel
is preserved in every respect and it is g com
fort to find that the legislative provision made
for the bureau and the judicious arrange
ments made by the commission, of which
General Bowen is President are so faithful,
administered by the indefatigable Superin
tendent, Mr.. q. III. Losee, about whom it il
simple justice to say that it would be dificul
to find a better man for position requiring
such peculiar characteristics in an enterpris
so important to the public welfare.
People who desire TO see and Judge TO
J themselves will be reDaid for their trouble b'