The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-06-10
WORK FOR UNEMPLOYED.
An Opportu nifty for the Poor Of
the City to Be Self
Sustaining.
DETROIT'S PLAN A SUCCESS.
Vacant Land EARNED With Profit
for the Destitute and the
Municipality.

"a WEEK Ut 50 ago GIle OALL puDllSucu ill
article relating to the labor question, show
ing what might be done to assist the I'M
employed in San Francisco so they can
earn a livelihood. Reference was made to
the large number of worthy men with
families to support who would be only too
glad to secure any kind of work that would
return living; also to the men without
family ties who have been forced by Cir
cumstances to live on the City dumps at
the foot of Seventh street.
The suggestion was offered by some of
the leaders of the Cooperative Common
wealth that vacant lands lying near the
City might, with little assistance from
the people, be farmed by those out of work.
TIE plan has proved a success in the
East. In this City there are at least TO- 900
unemployed men, two-thirds of whom have
families.
With view of learning something of
this plan Labor Commissioner E. L. Fitz-
gerald sent letter of inquiry to Hazen S.
Pingree, Mayor of Detroit, Mich, where
the experiment has been tried. Mayor
Pingree's answer was received yesterday,
and it contains much valuable information.
He said that similar inquiries have been
received by him from all parts of the
United States and from the Government
officials of Austria, Prussia, France and
England.
The Mayor stated that he conceived the
plan in 1894, when hard times compelled
hundreds of people to stand idly around
on the streets. He said:
Inasmuch as a majority of the working
people of every large city come from the coun-
try and are accustomed to and skilled in tilling
the soil believed that if they could secure the
use of some OF the vacant land that surrounds
the city they could easily obtain subsistence
for the ensuing winter by raising potatoes and
other vegetables. l requested the use of the
land for this purpose and within a remarkably
short time more of it was placed at our disposal
than we could possibly use, owing to the late
ness of the season and the fact that no pro-
vision had been made for raising funds to de-
fray the necessary expenses OF blowing, pur
chasing seeds, etc. More than 5000 families,
however, were eager to take advantage of this
practical method, but only about $50 families
could be accommodated. A committee was ap-
pointed by me to take charge of the matter.
From the books OF the Poor Commission they
ascertained the names of worthy people.
The Common Council appropriated $4,000 to
defray all expenses in connection with IT, and
the work is already under way and great re-
suits are expected. We find that at least 81
per cent of the people are willing to work If
given an opportunity under proper superin-
tendence.
am satisfied that if this plan were adopted
in every large city it would material decrease
the expenses of the police department, as
people are not likely to cause trouble If en-
ployed, and especially if employed in their
own interests.
In Mayor Pingrees report he stated that
about 430 acres were plowed, narrowed
and staked off by the committee into lots
of one-fourth to one-half acre each. Seed
potatoes, beans and other seeds were
furnished by the committee to those IN
able to provide them, the entire expense
of the committee being $500, which in
p1n6a1 the Of nInWS and horrOWc
The crops were planted, cultivated and
harvested by the people under the super
vision of the committee, including some
thirty lots assigned to widows. whose de-
pendent half-grown boys cultivated the
land. Deducting the values of the plows,
etc., now on hand the cost for each lot to
the committee was about So IS. The esti-
mated yield of the potato crop was about
Ii, 175 bushels. Large quantities OF beans,
turnips and other vegetables were raised
and daily consumed.
The estimated total value of the crops
produced was $12, 900 to S14 ,000 at cost to
the committee of about $500.
The money was raised by subscriptions,
one-half being contributed by city en-
pIoyes. Although the plan itself was
based on common sense it was treated by
the citizens of Detroit as huge Joke, but
as demonstrated by facts and figures it
was very profitable joke to the city and
agricultural paper, in commenting upon
the "city farmers" said:
Now, as these amateur plowmen found. the
soil, unstirred by cultivation for years, some
of it filed in with clay from cellars, sewers,
etc. is hard and baked solid as q rock The
fertilizers depended upon are the old tin cans
and boots and shoes dumped on the vacant
lots, and the prospects are there will be plenty
OF work Tor the unemployed-if that's what
they are afteI-to grow mighty small crop.
Tho ,,poroliEad c1ooaes of H.
ment silenced the croakers. Poor people
showed their willingness to work and
almost fought for a lot to till. The loss by
theft was very small, and the number of
applicants for 1895 was larger than could
be accommodated. The crops of last wear
in spite of the lateness of the season,
turned out so well that an exhibit was
made at the State Fair, and vegetables
grown upon a soil ''fertilized by old tin
cans and boots and shoes" were awarded
diploma by the State Agricultural Society.
AS result of the success of this expert
ment Mayor Pingree says that about 1000
families were enabled to pass through last
winter without having to apply for aid to
the Poor Commission, thus saving large
amount of money to the taxpayers In
summing up the situation the Mayor
found that at least 50 per cent of the desti-
tute people were willing to work; vacant
lands were utilized for most worthy pur-
PoSC, d NcIy SIudll space OF ground Will
support one large family.
Taxpayers and citizens were the gamers,
less money being required for charity, as
the poor supported themselves. The cost
of the Police Department was much less
the poor people being less turbulent and
restless. The poor were elevated in their
own estimation by realizing that they are
not paupers. In conclusion the Mayor
recommended that the city appropriate
$4,000 for carrying on the work this year,
adding, Even should the city have to pay
nominal rental for the land, it would be
profitable investment"
The report of the agricultural committee
appointed by the Mayor to look after the
work corroborates the Mayors general
statement that the Detroit Plan'' was a
success.
There were seven men on the committee
The work was done under the direction of
superintendent who gave instructions as
to the planting, care and harvesting of the
crops. A policeman patroled the district
and with four inspectors from the Poor
Commission the crops were protected
against thieves.
Labor Commissioner Fitzgerald in speak
ing of information furnished by Mayor