The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-06
Forty Thousand WOrkmen Without
Anything To Do.
CAREFUL ESTIMATE OF TIE ACTUAL SITUATION.
the Idle Men Quietly and Seriously
Watching the Turn of Events.
FACTS IN FIGURES
A Decided Movement for Prac-
teal Agitation.

The fact that there at tho present moment large
number Of breadwnners idle In this city is probably
known to every intelligent observer. but very few
have any adequate idea conception Of the actual ex
tent OF the distress now prevailing among the working
classes OF New York In order to arrive practical
solution OF this problem the reporters OF the HERALD
have, during the past few days, madc careful survey
OF the labor leld--both skilled and unsked-and by
digent inquiry among foremen OF shops, factories,
and all places where hands are employed and also
taking tho estimates of the leaders among the work.
ing and women, they have ascertaned that fully
40 900 persons ido OF tho 100 900 who
dependent their daily labor for bread This is,
deed,
STARTLING EXHIBIT
but II may be relied upon strictly accurate In round
figures II there is any in the calculation 1t Is
that the number given unemployed Is really below
the reality instead of being above That 40 per-
sons should be to-day out OF work in this great city
would appear almost incredible, but nevertheless 1t is
a stern fact that should not be concealed nor thrust
aside from thoughtful consideration. This great army
OF tide hands must DO provided for, they live
and they cannot 1.-Two honestly long unless work fur
nshcd They will become charge upon tho commu-
nifty unless they get employment.
1t appears evident that since the panic in 1873
the condition of the laboring classes has been gradually
growing worse until now II has reached its lowest ebb
Not only has work been growing scarcer and
year after year. but the ratio of remuneration has fallen
TO an average OF nifty per cent on the rates obtained
prior to the panic Yet there signs OF danger
Tor those out OF work seemingly patient But they
quietly yet seriously watching the turn OF AFFAIRS
perfectly cognizant Of their present position and tho
slight prospect for relief there appears IN the
future so far there has been outward mar fiesta.
ton that these idle workmcn feel aggreved at being
kept out OF employment but the HERALD reporters
frequently assured during their
the murmurings which have, so Tar, been hoard only
ehorvnea oil
way and ut time to present positive peril
THE HERALD INQUIRY
has not been made TO create ALARM but because Il ia
best that the puOc she ud know precise facts and
see the dangers that at hand unless some relief
comes. 1t is quite certain that the city OF New York
needs these l00, 900 working men and women ord-
nary years in order that her prosperity may be
taned, yet to-day forty per cent are de and consc
qucnty gain some idea OF the stagcaon ia ali kinds
OF business and the outlook is 10 say The least very
embarrassing one
To be sure those best fitted to judge say that fully
ten per cent of the poysd will be work soon
and continue busy for three months; but then, again.
the assertion made that the end OF these three
months not only will this ten per cent find them
selves again idle but they will be joined by nearly twice
as many persons who are now at work. And this is, at
tho best the outlook Tor tho labor market during tho
cold months Of winter
Leaders among ME workmen-that is, men who hold
executive positions in the various trade societies or
are prominent for thor intelligence aud inuence-are
unanimous in saying that the patience Of the
idle something wonderful They assert, with great
deal OF truth that other large CITY tho world
could such sight be presented to-day found in
New York Forty thousand men quite idle, and the
only sign that they is peaceful demonstration
among those hitherto employed on the public works.
to ask The municipal authorities TO give them chance
TO do something THIS speaks well for the temper of
working casseA
FACTS
Mr. George Blair, President OF the workngmen's
Assembly in the State OF New York, who we'll IN
formed this question, and whose opinion may DO
honestly given. has furnished she data from
which tho following tabular statement prepared.
II affords idea OF the precise condition OF ar
fairs among the working classes than any words of de-
scripton Argument