Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1893-10-27

CITY OFFICIALS powsRless
Sailed Labor that Nee<zs A.slssAnssl
The Mates. stiii tnseslicd.
Appeal for Employ nseaI

smsliorating the condition Of the unsnl-
/ ployed labor u the city this Water was
largely attended Mayor Stuart and
several aldermea were present and took
part IN the discussion The subiect Is
stii a. great q Burden on the minds u
thechsritable a. il has been daing the last
lev weeks. a. 40 definite plan was forna
nlated Some light vas given. however.
on the power Of the city 10 lend assist
snee aud y few erroneous ideas cor
restsd by the city officials.
The meeting was presided over by b.
Meahien and the hrst speaker intro
'dueed Was j. W. RosentAiL. who said
that some few days ago he was asked TO
attend meeting called by the Turner
society Tor the purpose OF ameliorating
The condition of the laboring classes In
this city during the coming winter. He
replied that he would do anything he
could Tor tho good Of dependent
people.
Is Conundruin.
The matter has been q conundrum
TO ME for the last six monihs. he said.
You have got 10 do one CT three things
Tor men without money. You will have
To give them work. II you can't give
them work whereby they san earn money
you must furnish them the means OF sub
sistanee. Grand Rapids has gone TO sleep
In this matter. notwithstanding the
mayor has done all be could. His hands
are tied. Some time sgoI said To the
city. clean up your streets or do any
thing that will furnish work. A high
way commissioner said he did not pro-
pose 70 use the money Of his ward for
the support OF persons living in other
wards Other commissioners, hearing
OF the action taken by this man, took
the same course. The charity organiza-
ton has furnished relief for l. loo per
sons within the last thirty days. This
society acts Immediately in emergency
cases. The society now has under Its
care forty six sick persons. The suffer
ers are well provided for. would say 10
the manufacturers, If you can't
employ SO many men. instead OF dis.
charging them reduce your hours and
employ more men. You must work in
this cause yourselves. Demand OF the
aldermen that the streets be kept clean
and improvements made that will fur
nish work. Help one another in every
way that you can. as that Is the founsla
ton OF all charity. Green wood and fat
pork furnished by the director Of the
poor 70 not proper food FOR sick person.
The charity organization is doing a great
work IN ameloristipg the condition Of
sufferers.
Mr. gill Speaks.
The Hon. Frank III. Gill was intro
duced and spoke on the necessities OF
the occasion. He endorsed what Mr..
kosenthal said IN regard to the city be-
ing asleep 10 the condition OF the peo-
pie. Public meetings should be called
and every one should make himself a
committee OF one 10 devise means FOR
relieving the dependent Men who have
work ia factories should divide their
time with those who have no work. IL
this Is not done there will be much sui.
fering. restitution and want this winter.
Grand Rapids does not have the power
to help its citizens TO the extent that
cities OF the same size In European
countries do. Ii is confined by its char
Ter. The persons who apply 10 the city |
and charity organizations for relief are |
not always those who deserve il tho |
most. Many OF them have q good home /
and money in the bank. The men who |
are out OF work are the shop and factory /
hands who have been thrown out of /
work. The common laborer has beer /
employment by the city nearly |
equal TO the amount OF former years.
The city has money with which /
to carry on improvements. but win
ter is coming on and work will /
have TO be suspended. 1 have hopes
that the times will improve soon. as con
hdence is gradually being restored.
Mayor stuart's Address.
Mayor Stuart was present and upon
being introduced said he Was pleased To
meet with them bat was sorry to meet
With them under the circumstances.
lie said the prospects for the coming
Einter are the most dismal he had ever
witnessed. He would be glad 10 do any
hing IN his power for the amelioration
u the distressed. The mayor said he
would give an explanation OF the
over Of the city TO give assistance.
There - wrong understanding among
he people in regard To- what the city
an 10. The only channel through
which relief can be given is the poor
'ifice. This ~ the only way ia which
money can be distributed La regari 20
making Improvements the city charter re-
Iutres all contracts To be let To
he lowest bidder, and after the contract
las been awarded the city is powerlcss
o control i. further. The only way 20
ssist us in this matter is TO have tho
harter amended 30 that the city can
ontrol its own labor and employ whom
pieases The only work placed al the
isposal % the city IL street work. The
iiy has an able ally in the Charity or
which has done a grand
FORK in this cause. l can see no way
Ut n the condition other than volun
ary contributions from citizens who
ave plenty Of money and have "A die
ributed. No one should he permitted
, suffer when there is AZ much money
: there Is IN Grand Rapids. and no ono
hall b, The city officials are towerloss
? lend assistance az they are governed
= laws m the expenditure * money. In
.e necessity demands il would be IN
srcr ~ calling = public meeting TO de
lee means For furnishing relief.
osher Addresses
VI. luton ssked the mayor n ~
puld rot - well b. cali public meet ,
* Tor the discussion 20 the causes a
e present strsngency ard means Tor
'moviEg them. r m fiin said he RAD
oticcd that residents - the UPPER pen
lsuis are petitioainx the gorerr6r ~
~ sess'on .. TIE STATE Legislature %
Ike measures fof the RELIEF q the scf.
ring ~ thar part ~ the state. ard il.
iiresi 4 special scssisu we're held u
= rity chsrter couid rot BE anersI,si Z
thai he city weuii have greater !