The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-22

Police Officer Walsh. who looked after
tn unemployed in years past, has been
unable to recognize over dozen of the
old faces. So far but few of the tramp
elem ent applied for work. AS rule this
class wants help, not employment, SO they
stay away.
The statistics gathered during the three
and one-half days that the bureau has been
open are appalling. 1t is one continual
story of want and privation. The appH-
cants are divided off into classes by the
deputies in the bureau; clerks, statesmen,
teamsters, umbermen, professional men
and laborers, applications being pigeon
holed in separate boxes.
In order to gather few facts concerning
tie condition of the unemployed 126 appli-
cations were taken from the list of labor
ers. AS each applicant filled out per-
sonal card these facts were easy to secure.
Of the 126, at least 95 per cent had families
dependent upon them and IS per cent were
over 40 years of age. Ten per cent were
over IS years of age and few over go.
Out of the number stated not over two
were unable to read and write and many
an applicant for manual labor filled out
his application in a handwriting that
would pass in contingencies. 1t was
suspeCteu tudI tnc Soou PSAAnan Weie
clerks who, despairing of securing posi-
tions in the line of their calling, registered
as common laborers in the hope of getting
something to do to keep the wolf from the
door. Te date 375 laborers have registered.
In many instances those who obtained
work through the bureau have returned to
express their appreciation for what they
received. One old man last Saturday
called at the bureau to tell.the deputy that
ho he od ahf IN uorE far
his board and lodging had kept him from
starving to death. Tears of gratitude ran
down his cheeks and he said: Blame it !!
l would cry with both eyes but l lost one
of my eyes during the war;"
That one eye was doing double service.
Letters of thanks have been pouring in
from all parts of the City and State from
those who obtained positions. One of these
came from young woman. On Thursday
sha took her baby and started for the water
front to end her life and the life of her
child. Her last cent was gone and starva-
ton stared her in the face. On California
and Sansome streets her attention was
attracted by the crowd at the bureau and
as last resort she went there for work.
Her first effort was not satisfactory, for
the man who hired her grossly insulted
her that night. He lived on Vallejo street
and his wife was in the hospital. The next
day Commissioner Fitzgerald found for
her and her child place in the country.
and a letter from her stated that she had
fine position with kind family.
Another class of letters Is constantly be-
ing received of which the following is
fair sample. 1t was written on Saturday:
have been waiting to hear of some word
from you, but no news has arrived as yet and
am afraid you will come to my assistance too
late. My landlord wants his rent, and / have
no money to give him. If l could only get
work to pay months rent it would save my
wife and child and my little home. If / don't
get work 1 must put nay little baby away and
sell what little furniture I have. 1 am an
American, and am sorry to say that cannot
make living in my own country; that is to
say cannot get enough work to keep hunger
from my door. Work for me means the saving
of my family.
The unfortunate man lives on Broad
way. Commissioner Fitzgerald learned
that he was worthy of assistance and prom
ised to get work for the man to-day Many
letters of this kind have been received and
in every case. after investigation, the writ.
ers have obtained work through the
bureau. There have been but few such
cases where women have made similar ap-
peals, showing that the women of this
City are better provided for than the
man.