The herald., 1895-01-17
THEY MEAN BUSINESS.
THE UNEMPLOYED SIT ON THEIR
DIRECTORS.
Work to Commsnoe at Onc--Men Who
waut Wages and Not work Are
Promptly Set Adrift

That the unemployed of Los Angeles
mean business and strictly business in
the formation of their New Era labor
exchange WAS proven beyond doubt
b. ths attitude of the laboring men ~ho
aeeem bled at he regular nesting OF the
exchange Monday night.
THE TRRAsURER's REPORT
The meeting opened with the report
OF the treasurer after reading the min
utee, and that officer reported 81 so in
the treasury. but over $40 loaned TO the
association auce the last report. The
money has boon npent in putting the
ii rst active branch of the exchange, tbe
laundry, on it's feet.
IL was impressed upon the mombers
that the money was not given but
loaned to she exchange, and muot be
repsii. An additional list OF about $50
was reported, but 1t was decided to
withhold the names OF contributors Of
the latter amount until next meeting.
In all nearly $500 has been loaned the
exchange.
THE NEW ERA LAUNDRY.
The laundry started some two weeks
ago being the fret experiment of the I'M
employed to help Themselves, naturally
called for the most attention. How was
it getting along? Was its success to
date sufficient to convince the public
that laboring men and women could
combine and help thsmseIvesp The
report of the laundry managers was
therefore looked forward to with eager
ness. 1t WAS forthcoming and tersey
put. as no6tted business men. 1t read
az follows:
"While lacking many appliances, the
laundry has today more work than il
can do, and the work co ming to us day
by day is increasing. We have 80
Chinese laundry wagons besides the
corporation wagons TO compete with,
but the people seem to want to help us.
We will soon put more men to work.
The money that ia being furnished us is
being spent for food for the men and
women, new tools to work With, etc.
No wages are being paid"
THE DIRECTORS REPORT.
The report OF the first branch OF work
established was followed by the report
of the board OF directors. The report
was read and motion to approve it
made in order to bring it before the
house. As soon as the chair announced
the motion half dozen men were on
their feet. The directors had favored
holding a monthly dance in the vacant
hall of the old city gardens, the proceeds
to aid in paying the rent of the same.
The recommendation was promptly
equashed. the workingmen sayting that
it would De time enough to go to dane
ing when all of them were at work earns
ing food for their families.
The proposition that the laundry
should occupy all the grounds and
buildings of the old City gardens was
likewise buried, deep. The men said
there Was room enough on the leased
grounds outside OF the laundry's needs
for blacksmith chop, a carpenter shop,
and sores OF ground besides for cultiva-
ton. and it wes voted to put every inch
OF the place to use as soon as posi- ble
Then resolution was adopted giving
notice of change of constitution
whereby the board OF directors should
be made up of tho chairmen OF the va
rious branches of labor.
THE LAND QUESTION.
This settled, the committee on eecnr-
ing lands to cultivate reported. Ex-
Mayor Hazard has given ten acres of
fine land free for one year, and it has
been accepted. The land managers be-
lieve they have tools and food enough to
start men to work on Monday morning
next In addition to the land men,
toned over 1000 lots in and near this
city will be occurred befo the end of
this week, and it is proposed to enter
into active competition with the Chi
nese vegetable men on prices and quail
ity OF vegetables furnished. People who
loan money can take it out in potatoes
or other vegetables at the lowest market
price.
THE ORANGE PICKERs.
The committee on orange picking had
no good news other than promises. This
was q disappointment. for there are
hundreds Of idle people W no cannot do
hard work, but who could work in
orchards. and the exchange is anxious
10 get them to work. The committee
has fair promises, and it ia believed
when the orange growers see how earn-
estly the unemployed are trying to help
themselves and lift Themselves above
the rut of charity, they will give the ex.
change q show.
The willingly idle man or woman has
no business with .he New Era exchange
and dozen OF them just found it out
this past vsek. The creed OF the ex-
change is simple sad easily understood.
1t is: We give you worS at your trade
or at common labor for your board and
shelter until such time as We can pST
you wages. You must work and you
must behave yourself and we will keep
you from want. but no money until your
labor has earned it above your board
and shelter.
This did not suit some of the men who
joined the exchange, and they were told
TO hunt work elsewhere. The new
movement looks like success. The
workingmen are trying to make it
such, and it remains with the citizens
whether they succeed or not.