The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-07-23
PROTECTION TO LABOR.

THE CALLS reports of the work and dis
coyeries of the States free Employment
Bureau make wonderfully pathetic and in
structive reading. The most pitiful OF all
the disclosures which have been made thus
far are those concerning the unfortunates
who have seen better days and who are
now making their first application for
work. That they hitherto have held aloof
from the private intelligence offices is the
seyerest of all possible criticisms OF the
manner in which those Institutions have
been generally conducted. For long
time there has been an impression that
one of the greatest local needs was an IN
telligence office conducted on the highest
principles. In this need there has existed
an opportunity for helpful work which
none of the great charitable organizations
seem to have understood, however useful
they have been. All this might have been
done on a self-supporting basis.
The interference of the State is not only
an adoption of the socialistic idea in one OF
it's most benefcent forms, but its discoy-
cries stand as a reproach to every beneyo-
lent organization whose scope is not re-
stricted by class regulations. If the State
Bureau has taught the lesson that the
exercise OF a kindly interest in needy
humanity must be governed by considera-
tons Other than those of extending a
helpful hand to all who may feel its need,
it has served to advance the ca1se of
socialism above that of benevolence.
1t is well to ponder these matters, for
beneath them lie the very essences which
govern the political conduct OF commune
ties. There is raised the whole question of
a choice between social and governmental
treatment of the necessities of the poor. II
it is found that private intelligence offices
and all manner of benevolent societies
prove inferior to the State machinery in
providing against the most urgent neces-
sites under which we can suffer, we have
very grave subject to consider.
Meanwhile, as the applicants for employ
ment through the agency of the State
Bureau appear to be of superior and ex-
ceptionally deserving kind, employers may
accept that simple fact alone as a certain
kind Of guarantee that those secured are
worthy. In this matter charity and be-
nevolence are not the only considerations.
1t is not expected that private employers
will sacrifice their interests for the good of
the needy. The proximate assurance that
those whom the State Bureau recommends
will earn their wages is as far as the aver
age employer need inquire. That is a
vastly higher recommendation than has
ever been offered before.
One of the most surprising disclosures
made by the bureau is that women for do
nestle service are unwilling to work for
less than $25 or $50 month. This should
seem princely salary to many poor
girl or woman, who, though she may not
have been brought up to service, is willing
to earn an honest living, and has that tact
and experience which, being presumably
the common possession of women VIII 0
have been properly reared, will enable her
acceptably to fill such position. 1t is
easy to understand that such less re-
munerative positions as saleswomen or
what not, other than domestic service, are
more snowy and respectable" but among
those whose wisdom is valuable a sensible
girl in domestic service, wearing thereby
an unquestionable badge of honesty, in
dustry and all other kinds of womanly
worth, commands respect which many
of her more snowy sisters might envy with
profit to their character and to the pros
pect of a home in which they may shine as
wives and mothers.
Poverty is long and dreary road. The
extent to which its evils are magnified and
the internal forces which minimize its
hardships constitute the measure of char
acter. Shame on its account is admirable
only in the presence of the wisest efforts
to overcome its drawbacks. Until every
one who is in need realizes that his estimate
of his own worth and responsibility is inn
measurably superior to that which depends
upon the opinion of others, such institu-
tons as the State free Labor Bureau will
serve as an education to individuals and a
rebuke to benevolence.