The herald., 1894-03-20
Los ANGELES AND THE UNEMPLOYED.
GENERAL REFLECTIONS.

large number OF unemployed persons.
They are here Notwithstanding the fact
that we have seen an unusual collection
of buildings erected here during the last
year. Many of them have been OF the
superlative order both in the residence
and the business line, being pal
aces in fact. They have involved
the expenditure OF immense sums
of money, which have gone into
the hands of the skilled and unskilled
workingmen. In addition, great public
works have been carried out, the outfall
sewer causing to be disbursed large
sums amongst all grades and shades OF
workingmen. What with improve
ments on streets and roads these out
lays have run up to a princely figure.
In spite of these things and the cir
cumstance that our manufacturers have
kept their plants ia running order, new
branches having been added to those
heretofore existing, such as the Cudahv
packing house, for instance, the number
of the unemployed is simply phenome-
nal. What is the explanation of such a
peculiar state of things?
The uDrivaled winter climate Of Los
Angeles is undoubtedly responsible for
this anomaly. In the almost entire
disorganizstion of the industries OF the
silver states, following upon the panic,
and the complete Generalization of the
white metal, multitudes OF men made
up their minds to spend the winter in
mild climate. They argued that it
would be hard enough to endure the
many deprivations to which they would
be subjected in any event, but they de-
termined tnst the horrors arising from
snow, sleet and ice, and the destructive
ness of the cyclone, blizzard and tornado
should not be added to their misery.
There was good deal of method in this
resolution, as any one will admit who
has given the subject any attention.
More and more the kilograms are being
filled with the climatic horrors from
which only a limited portion Of the
Pacific coast oi the United States seems
to be free. This incitstion to settle
here and command the comforts of life
has given US many helpless unem-
ployed, but in the difficulty and snx-
iety of dealing with them it should not
be forgotten that the same causes will
bring US thousands and tens OF thou
sands OF resourceful people and people
OF means. There are myriads OF Amsri-
cans who are capable Of creating new
industries in Southern California who
will be attracted to this section by the
same cause that has brought us the un-
employed and the helpless. This whole
section is filling up with a specially
eclectic class. who possess culture,
wealth and refinement. They will make
it the most remarkable region on the
globe during the next twenty years.
We have no intention OF insulting or
disprizing the worthy poor and unsm-
ployed when we express the opinion
that many OF those who have come to
Los Angeles have been influenced by
the fact that here they can sleep out OF
doors, with no covering but their blank
ets, every night in the winter, except
possibly when it rains, and De as COM
Portable as if they were in their own
houses. Oranges are easy to reach here
abouts and the fact is that the whole
region south of the Tehachepi is the
tramp's winter paradise, with Los An
geles, Orange, San Bernsrdino and Riv-
erside preferred, ON account of the abun-
dance of the citrus fruits that can be
found IN them all. Tomatoes and green
peas are also not to be despised. Be
tween the worthy unemployed and those
who would die rather than work, our
liberal citizens and city and county au-
thorities have had rare old time.
After all, it is impossible to deny the
claime of our common humanity, and
Los Angeles and many other cities OF
California have covered themselves wit b
honor by the munihcent response they
have made to the duties of the hour.
Even the tramp, when hungry, should
not be allowed to starve ia land OF su-
perlative abundance such as this, al
though his presence is by no means de-
sirable.
The present crisis will undou btedly
pass away shortly, and the Gruesome
days of the past six months will loom
up in the background as a drear and
ghastly apparition-something like a
nightmare.
iatic in ita laaninaa hnt We awe no haa.