The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-10-23
UNEMPLOYED.
Subject Talked Of at Practi-
cal Progress Meeting.

There were 100 religious, reform anu in-
dustrial organizations represented ~ tine
second meeting OF the board OF delegates
of the Union for Practical Progress held
in Manning Hall last evening. Augustine
Jones presided.
The special object OF the meeting was TO
receive the report of the special commit
tee OF Is, appointed sept. 70, TO consider
the best means OF alleviating the distress
OF the unemployed. The report was sub
stantially as follows:
There are mt least five methods OF relief
already tried or in operation. The irst,
relief in charity, entails the danger OF
pauperizing the poor and hindering the
growth OF self-respecting citizenship.
Thep, too,the honest wage-earner out OF
work declsres himself insulted by the
offer OF charity.
The second method is by overpaid work,
given in the form of industrial education.
The "incompetent unemployed" must
be helped by some form OF charity and
the first step must be in the wedding out
OF those from the able bodied.
There are two general schemes OF help
for these incompetents; by general charity
administered as wisely as may be,
and by the plan OF labor
colonies as adopted abroad. In any case
the only real aid given to those unit to
meet the ordinary demands OF life Is
through areful investigation and through
disciplinary and educational treatment.
The third method of relief of those who
are in all ways competent for good work
In that Of vastly increased effort to find
the right place for the individual worker.
IL is to this method we must look for the
most part for the relief OF those displaced
by improved machinery and other indus
trial changes.
The fourth method consists in the
voluntary creation OF work under arti-
fetal conditions in order to give wages
instead OF doles to the needy. The plan
OF securing in part the sum needed from
the city government was found not to
work well in connection with private SUBJ
scriptions, because the mixture OF private
and public selection and disbursement
resulted in fr ction.
The fifth method is that of an increase
OF public work, under municipal control.
In this lhod there is no conflict OF au-
thority, .since the same agency which
pays the laborcrs hires them and ar
ranges for hours OF work, etc."
In this method the work is genuine, Of
public utility and advantage and has no
SAVIOR of ma ke- believe about 1t. 1t meets
the needs only, however, OF
the common laborers," who make
the largest item OF the un-
employed. There are great dangers in
this method. 1t establishes the PRECEDENT
of ''expediting public work." which shall
be repeated so often as to overburden the
people, who must pay the bills.
The second danger is thst people of the
outlying country, and other cities, flock
into the city and swell the number COM
peting for the opportunity. The third
danger IL that there shall be
NAL -admistration OF public funds used
for this as well as for other city woik.
The fourth danger is that OF inspiring
habit OF looking to the Government for
the relief OF all evils.
In spite OF all these dangers it seems the
best method to try in a time like this in a
moderate degree and for a limited period.
Resolutions wero adopted that the
board OF delegates petition the City
Council to appropriate sums, 30 far as
seems wise, for labor upon the streets,
parks, or upon any other work of
public usility; that lists be prepared OF
residents OF the city for not less than one
year, who need work, to offer as a guide
to the commissioner OF public works, and
that the Board appoint COMMITTEES of five
TO stimulate and direct private
effort toward finding work for skilled
workers and providing for those unem-
ployed OF delicate physique, and for all
others whom the provision of increased
city work would not benef.