New-York tribune., 1873-07-31
A USELESS CITY BUREAU.

ppEr LABOR AND INTELLIGENCE DEPARTMENT
FAILURE. AND RECOMMENDING IMPORTANT
CIIANGEs-TIREE MONTHS GRACE GIyEN-BUT IIS
ULTIMATE ABoLIsHsIENT PROBABLE.
The following important report and resolutions
concerning the Free Labor Bureau, recommending
in effect its ultimate abolishment, were submitted
Yesterday, by Commissioner Stern, to the Board OF
Commissioners of Charities and Correction;
TIE REPORT.
To s Bogrd Of Commissioners Of Public Charities and
Correction.
GENTLEMEN: Tho Free Labor and Int ligcnce Bureau
forming one OF the departments Of the Commissioners OF
Public Charities and Correction, does not seem to have
received that attention which Its importance as the best
and most equitable medium Of exchange between the
aborseekng and labor-requlng classes would demand
fhe almost incidental manner in which the Bureau
was Instituted, by the mere insertion OF clause IN the
Tax-leyy Of 1860 appropratng the sum Of $4,000 by
the Department OF Public Charities and Correo-
ton for tue purpose OF opening and advertising.
under the control OF its officers, free Iatclli-
gepce-onice for the poor and stranger seeking en-
ployment and information would suggest that u
was rather an experiment attempted by the Leelsa-
ure 10 remove the evils and abuses that had their origin
in the numerous intelligence Offices with which the city
was dotted all over at that time Many OF these oces
were sinks OF vice and inquty, wherein the un"ary
em grant and the stranger that came from tie country
I'm search Of honest labor we're nveglod robbed OF the
little they had, and then sent adrif These places were
not unfrequenty the pitfalls wherein innocent aud VIZ
tuous girls entced TO be transferred to houses OF
shame lust OF the thousands that came here LOOK
ing for employment, large portion fell into the names
of these sharpers who drove lucrative trade at the
cost Of those that most entitled TO our pfoIecuon
because frlendless and helpless.
The Free Labor and Intelligence Bureau, under tho
control Of the public authorities, was to remedy al this;
the interests OF the labOreeng classes we're to De
guarded those protected who earnestly IN setch
OF honest employment; public olce was 10 DC eotaD'
lshed that would furnish the required accommodation
between employer and employe. The amount apprOqr'
ated for the purpose hut $4,000 the expenses how
ever gradually reached the Of S2l,S3 CO. Tds had
Ihattered but little if the object sought for lad been
really ob,ancd II the benefits that were expected iOm
the Bureau were realized; II the institution had become
in reality o medium OF exchange between the honest
welmeanlng. and wcbebayed servant and the classea
in need OF help.
with regret must f. be stated that these Ius eypeca
tIons were not fulfilled raretu investigation reveals
the fact that with the present system prevailing, with
the loose control had those that seek the benes
OF tho Bureau has rather become the resort OF thlt
class Of nOmadc servants that wander from place to
place. from mistress TO mistress, with serious mon-
tion TO remain longer IN place than what II may
suit their temporary wm and Iarpos2 70 sncourace-
roent l. red to tho steady sober toilets Who hOntsty
those erratlc characters tha have become the terror
OF housewives ard tho torment q households 1t is
common complaint OF late years that servants have be-
come the masters; it is they who dictate terms and i'm
nose conditions The Free Labor Bureau has iniNed
contributed no little induce this condition Of things
SYSTEMATIC COURSE OF DECEIT
The officials employed by tho Commissioners TO carry
their designs, to conduct and administer the AFFAIRS
Of the institution have cared to misead the Com
tho hy mao
business transacted, than TO have eye to efficient
management by which the institution could have been
brought 20 standard OF real usefulness Thus the official
report rendered 1870 macnied the number OF places
secured for female applicants by 709 over and above
the actual number; an in the figures Of males,
120S; in 1871, excess OF figures, females, 1896 males
1iol; 1872, females. 1905, males, 3,68j; ls3 only
six months, females $3.50, males, 932. This de-
cepuou as officially stated by the Chef Clerk, has
been pIacused up 10 the first OF this month, and
whatever the motive for II may have been, was pepc-
trated by the clerks IN the employ OF the blreau soa9
Of whom held their positions since it was first otab-
shed Instead therefore. OF the bureau becoming the
central Office where employers would resort to 20 obtain
the required help, private Offices first applied to, and
the bureau IS only brought into roqusiton as the last
resource the institution which should enjoy most the
confidence the public is looked upon with suspicion.
and we must be astonshcd therefore II the better
classes Of servants rather prefer other agencies though
connected with some expense.
AS long as We permit worthless characters TO I'll our
rooms and occupy the places OF honest servants long
as persons addicted to drink and dismissed for that
cause by their employers are allowed 10 enjoy again
and again the privileges OF the Institutions rs long as
We continue the axty Of control over those whom we
labor to benefit and improve their condition, We cannot
hope to Eject material improvement, must intro
duce rules OF discipline that must be npartiay
but vigorously executed must enieaYor tO be u5t to
the employer we the employe; We must establish
the confidence Of the public in the In5ttaton II we
mean TO make the Bureau what It should be. Every
one seeking its benefit must be made TO conform TO tie
rules Of the establishment and these must be laid down
so as to he clear and intelligent TO every
one, our rooms will then be purged Of those
that make them the resort OF ideness and shtless-
ness we will have applications for help, because
the employer feels In engaging the services OF
who enjoys the protection of the Labor Bureauat once
an evidence Of good character fahulnes, and steadi
ness and We will be that the money expended con-
fers benefit upon those meriting our sympathy and
protection.
THREE MONTHS UNDER NEW RULES.
Iwoud propose therefore, the following resolution,
In the hope OF succeeding; inducing thereby radical
cure Of the evils existing, which, in my opinion
Injurious that should fail in efforts Of reform
after fair and faithful trial and experiment for at least
three months we had better close the entire establish
ment as useless OF public funds OF rather per-
nicOus than beneficial effect.
Eesolred That the following rules and regulations be
and herby established FOR the Free Labor and Intel
genCo Bureau ana the cler CerA be Charged Win tho
strict enforcement thereof.
Applicants for employment must state their name,
age place OF birth, and present residence the Registry
Clerk. designating the nature OF employment they
In search or prOduce written references from previous
employers OF, II seeking employment ,Or the frat time,
give reference 60 some reliable person rs 70 character
These statements shall DO entered III book kept for that
purpose.
Q All applicants assigned TO q room IN which thew
must remain during business hours; they must keep
Themselves clean and neat in person. observe decOros
OF inUeruUnce.