New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-04-02
THE LABOR BUREAU.
ITS FAILURE UNDER THE AUSPICES or CHAR
IIY Observation-Disclosures. PLAN PRO-
POSED.

ITS FAILURE UNDER THE AUSPICES or CHAR
IrY MISUNDERSTANDING PLAN PRO-
POSED.
TO the Editor Of The Tribune
SIR: The Citizens Association of New-York
issued June &C. 1868, circular calling the attention OF
the public announcement, printed in the daily
papers Of that date, FROM the Department OF Public
Charities and Correction, Of a Labor Bureau to
be established at the central Office OF the
Commissioners OF that Department, under the
direction OF the Superintendent Of Outdoor Poor 10
facilitate the emigration OF unemployed labor to the in
terror The establishment OF Labor Bureau was first
urged by a committee Of the Citizens Association ap
pointed to investigate charitable institutions, and
the plan suggested by them adopted by the Commits
soners OF Charities and Correction The latter pub
shed full directions for those the interior who wished
70 obtain aborers and for those in the city who in
need employ ment. whereby they might avail them
selves Of the facilities be afforded by the Labor Bureau
Together with these directions the Citizens Association
published short and glowing prospectus OF the cause,
saving that in this Bureau should be sought 10 make
a thorough effort to afford RELIEF TO the suffering by merely
using niad aud superior intelligence tcithoW trT,e"dn9
mOney-to see how far human ingenuity, business skill,
and capacity devise measures Of relief by wise com
bnatons place uuproductye lands and undeveloped
elements Of wealth side by sdetha all efforts at relief
should be based upon the simple idea Of enabling
10 help themselves The Labor Bureau may be made TO
extend relief TO every man, woman, and child willing 10
go West and the Association anticipates very important
results from the Inauguration and efficient management
OF their Bureau. the dense masses OF our population
will be thinned and placed in circumstances fayOra-
BILE for their usefulness and progress while the labor so
much need ed in West Will be supplied by contnu-
Gus stream pouring toward it. Other large cities
on the Atlantic Coast will follow our example,
and thus the blessings derived from the
Inauguration Of this Bureau Will he multiplied and
extended" Affairs looked exceedingly well on paper
and at the request OF Of the Commissioners made
a trip that Summer of weeks duration, through
the Western States prospecting for the benefit OF the
Bureau The results OF my trip were eminenty encour-
aging The cause which represented was every
well received, and promises OF cooperation were made
by various State authorities and numerous influential
private citizens appointed agents at different places
10 push the work and forward applications for labor and
returned convinced Of the ample field afforded by the
West for the carrying out Of the enter rise.
During my absence. $1,000 had been appropriated by
the Legislature AID the work but upon return. It
appeared that the Commissioners. having apparently
forgotten all about the Labor Bureau, had started the
now existing Intelligence Office In the Pimpton
Building very good thing, doubtless, for poor
seryant GIRLS and well enough its way bat not at all Of
the character and scope Of the proposed Labor Bureau
previously advertised by the Commissioners themselves
contend that the Labor Bureau contemplated by the
Citizens Association has still be established. There
are hundreds Of poor families In this city who would
gladly go West had they the requisite means TO 90 with
was IN the employ OF the Chdrens Aid Society for II
years until May, 1868, when the Commissioners engaged
me have taken West and found homes for over 1900
children and for some 60 families, all OF whom have
more or visited since their establishment IN their
new homes and confident that there Is great OPP
portuuty 10 do good relieve misery prevent crime and
benefit the country large. by judeously assisting
industrious but unfortunate families IN going West Inc
Chidres Aid Society do great deal In tins directioh
buf IL iH trifc what might and ought 10 he done
The Citzons Association, after nnding thht the Com
Isouef- had deceived them with thor promises, con
cuded that they themselves would undertake. the WORK
Nntbiue however has been done, 30 far But why let
~ AZ should not the Chlldrens AID Society establish
Labor Bureau as part OF their wOrkf Their machinery
h I'M good running order they have wci-trhined men
Who understand travelling with large parties; they Know
among them every town aud village Throughout the
West and nnye such arrangements win fahOads hs GU
ab them 10 transport people under their charge III hrst
class carr AT the rates Of nlthy einigrant trains az"
nenre 10 me that the the most immediately ptio
cabe plan for the relief Of thousands now phcheu Win
povcrty aud grooming Win distress Ia ,his great Guy
Will not THE TRIBUNE lend ia influence theIrloi
Aetr- York. Feb, 1870. H. hihD"L"'