The morning times., 1896-09-06
UNEMPLOYED IN THE CITY
Some of the Causes Leading
to Their Condition.
ESTIMATE OF THE NUMBER

l e~--~~ -
skilled Labor, and an Approximate
Idea of Their Numerical, Strength
Can be Gathered Fren the Cen
sus Reports. 2iUh
Washington is the Mecca of the unem-
ployed.
Every day Of the week from years end
to years end the streets, the river front
and all public places are crowded with
them; some honestly and diligently seek
ing employment, while others are hiding
their time '.waiting for something to turn
up"
This being SO the questio ms which natur-
ally present themselves TO the observant
mind are: Who are the unemployed, what
Is their number; why do they come here in
preference to going elsewhere and how
do they exist while they remain?
These questions are not easily answered
Some OF these men, perhaps most OF them.
lave seen better days, and it is only by
mingling with them at the places where
they spend their time in enforced idleness
that the causes which led to their present
condition can be learned
Some attribute their present condition to
misfortunes which happened hong years ago
Others to the bard times prevalent through
out the country, while many lay their blame
to simple, plain hard luck ,-->
Whatever may be the causes which have
led to the present condition of affairs the
fact remains the same; the great army o.
the unemployed is with us and to all ap-
pearaDces here to stay.
WHO ARE THE UNEMPLOYED g.
1t is not, however, the intention to ex-
anime into the remote causes which brought
about this state OF affairs; but, rather, TO
discuss the conditions as they are found<
aDdincidentally theimmediate causes which
led to them. In doing this it will be neces-
sary, first, to decide who should be in
cluded among the unemployed
Generally speaking. the term ie under
stood to refer to those who cannot even
earn livelihood by manual labor, and who
are not classified as skilled laborers. So
it is that the great army OF the unemployed
OF the Capital City of the nation is m ade up
OF skilled as well as uDskilled abor. in
GLIDING mechanics and street swecpers,
farmers and miners. wood-ohoppers and
musicians, railroad men and street car
drivers, clerks and quarrymen, and Others
too numerous to mention. --i,,-
While no accurate figures are obtain
able to show the number of unemployed
in this or any other large. city, the data
a fair approximation. ~
FROM CENSUS REPORTS.
Taking the statistics Of occupations as
given in the census reports of l $50 as a
basis to work on and comparing the number
of employees with the estimated number of
unemployed, conservative Idea of the
present number of all trades and callings
without employment can be easily rea ched.
In the year $50 the total number en-
gagged in all occupations was a trifle in
excess of $1,000. Since then, however,
there has been great increase in popula-
ton in the city, and it is only fair to assume
that there has been corresponding growth
among the'laboring class.
Taking 1t for granted, therefore, that
the increase of the working class has Kept
pace with the growth OF population the
number of employed persons in the city,
male and female, could be fairly esti-
mated at from 1000 to 1000. OF these
it is claimed that about 900 should be
ciassed as skilled or organized laborers.
The industrial field in which this lat
ter class must naturally seek employment
is slow of expansion, not keeping pace
with the constantly increasing numbers of
skilled workmen. Hence it IL, that in pro-
portion to the whole number there are moreof
these than OF what is termed unskilled
labor out OF employment The estimates Of
the unemployed of this class differ great
ly, ranging all the way from one-fifth to
one-third, Taking the less of these esti-
mates az a fair avera ge, It would show that
there are at least 900 unemployed skilled
laborers in the District.
OF the remaining $4,000 or 10000 It
IS claimed that the proportion of unem-
ployed Is INST SO great because of.the al
most boundiess fields and variety of occu-
pations to which they may tprn in looking
for employment. For this reason it is
estimated. by those in rosi-
Is not more than one in every fifteen with
out employment II this Statement be
true,-it viii be seen that there are over
$500 unemployed unskilled workmen in
The city, which. together with the 5000
skilled idle laborers. would make grand
total of more than 1880 voorhees, workmcn
IN the District at present.
CHEAPLABORIN INVOLVED
This Is the situation today; 1t was the
same yesterday, and there is no reason to
believe that 1t will lie changed tomorrow.
Inv eStigatiOn shows that very great