The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-17
PROBLEM OF THE DAY
Prof. Edward w. BemiS'S Views on
Relief for Unemployed.
An Interesting Paper Read Before the
Congregational Club-History of
Previous Crises.

The fourth annual meeting of the Con-
gregational Club was held last night at
the Peoples Church, corner of Michigan
and Blackboard streets. There was a very
good attendance The club is conn osed of
members OF the Congregational churches
and the gatherings are entirely social.
Last night the ladies of the People S
Church had arranged the church for the
entertainment, and the tastefully decor
ated rooms where the services are he d..
with the bright hangings and paper, made
a cheerful surrounding for the feast which
was spread. The tables were set with fifty
covers. and the several small tables were
arranged about an oblong center, so that
all might see and hear with comfort. Mr..
w. b. Drummer, the president Of the club,
presided. and Rev. James Lewis, pastor of
the church, assisted in receiving the guests.
When all had gathered a supper was
served by the ladies of the church. AS
the last course came on the other part of
the feast began. This was conversation
on the subject of 1.-The Problem of the
Unemployed" The talk was introduced
| by Prof. Edward w. Bemis, of the Chicago
University, and as there is so much
TO be said on the subject there was a gen.
eraI expression on the part of the club.
In substance Prof Bemis said:
Inc problem of the unemployed is a
permanent one. This crisis will not end
IL recurring crises will find us face to
lace with the problem which is growing in
seriousness with the growth of population
Inc idle or unemployed are sometimes so
| OF their own desire, such as the tramp.
The best treatment for this species has
been found in requiring work In wood
YARDS, breaking stone, etc. as a neces-
Sary accompaniment to food and lodging.
III New York city there is now required at
one relief station that every one who is
| lodged and fed shall not only work. but
snail take bath and have his clothes
| steamed. Many do not call second time.
| When men will not work it is a question
whether, if able-bodied, they should not
merely be forced on to the next town, but
should be compelled to work, as in Ger
| many. There a few farm colonies enable a
man who is travelling in search of work,
for work. not only lodging and board, but
| small cash payment TO help him on.
| But the great problem before us is help
for the involuntarily idle who, at this time,
| are probably in number over two million
In this country. But first the cause of this
condition may be briefly referred to- Tariff
| uncertainty is admitted by both protec-
| ZIONIST and free-trader to be a great ag-
| gravation of crises, but does not seem to
| be the only cause, for about every ten
| western Europe, the United States and
Australia, as in 1897, 1SiS. 1851 1873, 1854 and
| in 1893. These crises occur in both free
| trade and protection countries and in those
| proposing no tariff changes, as in England.
| Others hold that the fall in prices of from
| TO per cent a year since 1873 discour-
| aged business. Undoubtedly ii does This
| fall In prices is primarily due TO machinery
| and improvements in business, but equal
or even greater improvements in business
] methods and inventions from 1850 to 1873
| were accompanied by gradual rise of
| prices and apparently greater prosperity
throughout the world.
The net coinage of new gold in Western
| Europe and America during the seven years
| of 1856 to 1892 inclusive, was only $4,000 900,
| but II is considered by most all economists
TO be impossible for us to check this fall in
| prices through a greater use of money, with
| out an international agreement for silver
| coinage at proper ratio. But even II this
| Is not secured the future of business will
rot be alarming The Importance of some
| method by government permission to ma
| tional banks to increase their paper money
| in times of crises. subject to such a tax as
would render it profitable for banks TO give
| up the circulation when interest notes should
| fall. was considered. The eight-hour day is
held by many to be a solution for the prob
lem OF the unemployed, but desirable and
| practicable as such a measure is likely 70
| be ere long, there is no apparent reason why
| depressions will not occur under eight hours
or two hours day. The fact is, commune
| ties and individuals have wave-like motions.
After a period of depression there comes
| activity. speculation and booms in business
| and reaction. Organization of the business
houses in any line by which they regulate
output and study the conditions OF trade,
| seem likely to render crises less severe, but
| must be supervised thoroughly by society TO
| prevent abuse"
of what to do after the crisis has come,
the lecturer urged that our public bodies,
| like city councils, should set on foot, at
such times, work in parks, on the streets
and in the construction of needed public
| buildings We must reform our systems OF
| city councils through independent municipal
leagues, he said, SO as TO secure money for
such work Public employment bureaus
would largely overcome fraudulent employ
| ment agencies and help the unemployed
secured in ohio at o an Expense to the pHbe
! of $4,000 a year, and at no expense TO the
wage-worker. There should also be a large
| sum of money raised by private contribu-
| ton to furnish work in return, for say 81
for six to seven hours work upon the
| streets; and in furnishing sewing and other
suitable work for women; also work for
men incapable of doing street or park work.
| Undoubtedly this is "a great opportunity for
useful work upon our roads ana streets.
| unfortunately, contributions from those
who can afford to give generously are not
as large as from those of very limited in
| the chance for practical Christianity to get
into touch with the masses and prove its
| sympathy. clearing house or charity or
| trusted by every relief agency in order
1 that one may find not merely the frauds,
| but may discover the districts at present
1 in need, but unreached by any relief agency.
/ There is also great need of from $4,000 to
$4,000 for a private employment bureau
/ under the best management, as in Boston,
1 which shall be pledged to charge not more
/ than per cent. q month. This charge would
| net about per cent. year. Ultimately
| cities would do well: probably when
| put on proper civil-service basis, to have
1 public pawn shop as in Antwerp and
| many cities of France Above all, every
| individual who can possibly afford it should
! employ on his or her work as many as
| possible and at as good wages as posi-
| bic, bearing in mind that thus is best pre-
| served the independence and self-respect
| of our deserving wage worker"
| In conclusion the speaker urged ulti-
! mate relief the training of the masses
! through the public schools and by private
/ encoura cement in thrift, housekeeping and
| industrial activity.