The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-01


ernoioyuent. That there l. .. limited num-
>er q such zner IN cur CITY foeFe can oe
no question. ard sl1aousn private re4seg
nsz neer Ard l. now doing much. X is not
sssssuate Tor the prompt and comprenen-
= ao not fszlre to convey me impression
that tnEs efsy has any greater proportion
~ re.-dv persons khan are 20 be found in
Other e4fles biz ! nave long thought that
tae relief OF worthy people in need was a
pgbllc we.l a. prlsats duty Nasns asss-
xnntkT enS wsssly administered ] ASK
your consideration Of this question, not
only with view OF renewing persons IN
reeF ss,f aI<o Of relieving the community
81 perxfssenx and unworthy oegEdrs and
frarnses WHO are a constant tax upon the
pubic because the average citizen mas no
way Of investigating and aeaAaS lntein-
gentIv with sush appIicssions- Humanity
Eurrenders 30 every appitcatFon. Whe1aer
worthy or unworthy. and sse 20 on giving
aid without knowing whether u Is needed
or rot. We are thus increasing anu an
tensifytng tauperism IN our country.
This question is 50 difficult that even
IN the face Of the needs which are brought
almost daily TO my attention. / hesitate
4, make any suggest Ions. 1 am, however.
impressed with the BELIEF that y IL the
dufy OF this city, Notwithstanding its
financial burdens, TO provide some relief
work oaf or the ordinary line OF the city s
employment. upon parks, roads or other
improvements where the home citizen or
transient man. without family. can obtain
employment during MS distress. at a low
rate Of wages. and where the citizen who
has a family can also obtain employment
at a low rate Of wages. but still some
what higher than the wage OF the single
man. The city should provide tools and
proper saperintendents for such work.
Among other necessary points 10 be guard
ed in such a plan the following occur TO
me:
'.Ffrst-It should be distinctly understood
that such relief work is not TO replace any
OF the regular employees OF the city.
'.Second-Tnat the relief compensation
paid should in no sense be considered "A rate
or wage nor any precedent for wages to
be paid by the city or private individuals
In regular empioyments.
.sThird-That such compensation must
necessarily be fixed so low as not to draw
men into the city for the purpose of Sc
curing such relief employment. and so low
ployuent IL they could get anything else
TO do or subsist without H. Unless this
were observed. the whole plan would I'M
mediately be frustrated by the flood OF
applicants and the influx of unemployed
persons.
"A consensus OF judgment and expert
ence would suggest the proper rates OF
compensation, but to Illustrate what I
men In a general way I would suggest
perhaps 10 to ~ cents day for single men
aud % cents to 81 day for men support
Ing families with possibly some gradua-
ton In proportion TO the membership in
the family OF the laborer-
'Fourth-That the employment furnish
ed be not necessary work, hut work pro-
vsded in order to afford relief. and that
the compensation be not intended as a
fair compensation for labor. but a provf-
sion by which persons In sudden distress
could obtain subsistence in an honorable
manner, and without the humiliation of
having TO accept gratuitous assistance
'Fffth-That such a plan would be a
most potent auxiliary 10 the efforts OF the
police OF the city In keeping the city free
off the lnNnrfhV and rfnnfnal cha ard
would also relieve private persons from
the unworthy appeals and exactions Of
these same classes.
sit should be borne In mind that through
the salvation Army. or some other like
agency. transient and single men could be
provided with subsistence and shelter
while engaged in this work. at such small
cost as 10 xtiii leave a small surplus from
the rates OF compensation suggested.
This r. a question of such difficulty that
I have felt great hesitation in offering any
suggestions in relation to tt. but the pres
ent need for some relief In the line sug-
gested. either from private or public
sources. inpels me TO call the matter to
'Tnasmuch as the fund raised by taxa
ton for public relief in our city Is dis
hursed by the county commissioners under
state Law, this question might be called
20 the attention OF thai body for their con-
sheraton or might be dealt with by the
county commissioners and your honorable
body acting Jointly"
GeneraI Matters.
The committee on corporations. 10 whom
was referred the matter of having extra
cs rs placed on that part of the Seattle
Consolidated Street Railway Company 5
system which runs 10 Fremont, reported
that trailer VIII be placed on the even
ing cars which leave Seattle at SOS a. m.
and COS .. m. and also a trailer on the
car which leaves Fremont in the morning
whenever there is not enough room for the
passengers. The committee also reported
that the company had agreed 10 construct
a waiting room for passengers who
travel on the Cedar street road az the cor
rer OF Cedar street and First avenue The
reports were adopted.
An amended ordinance enhodying May
or Woods ideas as 10 the time when the
free public market should he open was in
troduced, and after brief discussion was
referred 10 a special committee composed
OF Taylor. Herman and Raymond.
An ordinance Imposing a license on ped
dlers OF meat. game, poultry, fruit, yege-
tables. butter. eggs or produce other than
milk was laid over for one week. The or
dinance was intended as a complement 10
the free market ordinance. IL fixed the II
cense az So for a two-norse wagon. $40
for one horse and s. for a basket.
Mrs O. n. Ryther pat IN claim for fur
niture burned by the health officer when
smallpox was IN the Ryther home The
arficles were valued at $50. She claimed
the children OF the nome were suferin Z
because OF the lack OF these articles This
VAS referred 20 the claims committee.
The committee 70 which was referred
the matter OF outstanding bonds in the
Spring Hfll water Company. reported
back. giving a history or the purchase OF
she pant hy the city and stating the Sit
natlen brought about by the non-paymen,
Of the Ssa.eoo fivst mortgage bonds. as al
ready explained IN the poSt-Intelligencer.
Chapman was induced last night to vote
Far the granting OF liquor licenses for the
firsi time since re has been member %
the council. Clerk Coryeli began 10 read
an ordinance granting licenses 70 w.
thurman. Dell Hsreaugh and q. Rogers.
Comptroller Parry ueticed that Chapman
Vas talking to Rev. George Lee and pay
ing TO 4ttentioa 10 the bill. Read low. f"
be whispered 70 Coryeu The ordinance
was rushed through In a low tone. "cal
the roil" SAID Chairman Crichton. Cor
sell started the list OF names vita Chap
wan. Aye. came The ans wer and tire
Counrilu1ea laughed. Then Chapman
naa3e a g,ooa-u4ture& speech. the vote was
ca&Rsed 30 no" and tire bin Was passed.
Ar estimate 81 the city engineer Of she
cost of "A sewer on Nlnih avenue soutA. De-
tween N~sIer way and Man street. waS
Submitted. Il placed THE total cost at
s.. I'D % whseh thc property owners pro-
poft.9a was Es's Ant The city's Ss46 Il
vas referred Is the committee on sewers
ana drainage.
petition by the contractors on the paw
nc ~ Cherry street Tor an extension %
tire for fhiTtY days was referred TO the
hoard o. pgshlic works. % be reported OF
a. the Hexr meet.ag
Ordinances.
r. s.slnn.s-,s- s.r.atrar.a. -. a...s