The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-02-24
EMPLOYMENT AGENCY ABUSES.
Mayor wood Ha. a Particular Case
Brought TO His Notice.

II Is doubtful II another man In the state,
unless IL be the governor. Is called upon
20 arbltrate and stratghten out matters as
often as is Mayor Wood. the head and
front OF the metropolis Of Washington.
who through the dark days OF his regime
has been confronted with thousand and
one problems that his life. prior TO an as
sumption of official duties. has never
brought him In contact with.
Yesterday Mayor Wood was called upon
20 pass an opinion on the abuses OF en-
ployment agencies and intelligence Offices
The case which Is n point Is that Of la
borer named Frank Bryant. who recently
came 10 this city with bis wife. and sought
out Agent Allen. OF the Charity Organiza-
ton Society, with request for aid. Mr.
Allen investigated and considered the case
a worthy one. He addressed one Of the so
ciety's cards TO the chairman OF the dis
trict In which Nr. Bryant lived, but be-
fore any Issue OF funds was made Bryant
returned and informed Mr.. Allen that he
had secured q position for himself and
one for his wife In whatcom county. he
20 make single bolts and his wife to cock
at Lynch's shlngls mill. called the Saxon
Mil Company. at Saxon. Mr.. Allen
cured Bryant a railroad rate for trans
portation. for which he paid with money
secured by pawning saddle. He had Sc
cured an order for the Job from J. E. Mel
Upon hts arrival at Saxon. Bryant was
told that there was no work for him.
Being out OF money and having no place
20 spend the night. Bryant and his wife
walked three miles IN the mud 20 a
ranchsr's house. whore they remained
until next morning. They then tagged
the train and were taken on board fer
Seattle. the conductor accepting their
trunk for security for the fares. On his
arrival in Seattle Bryant reported the
matter TO Mr.. Allen. charging collision
between Nelson and Lynch. ana stating
that II f. customary ching for agents
20 send men 20 places where they are
employed for day perhaps and then
discharged upon a trumped-up charge.
the agent and employer dividing the fee
OF s. 81 charged for securing the Job.
Mr.. Allen informed Mayor Wood. and
together they visited Nelson's office The
agent showed the correspondence be-
tween Lynch and himself regarding va
cancies and denied further liability. He
did. however. write 10 Lynoh. who an
swered saying that the reason why he
did not employ Bryant and his wife was
because they had come with a couple
Of dogs Lynch wrote that he wanted
a shlugis-nolt cutter and a cook. and not
a pack Of hounds.
The discussion IN the mayors Office then
turned upon the liability OF the agent who
promised the work. and who by hts repre-
sensations had put Bryant to sli.50 ex-
renss with no return Mayor Wood held
that the agents liability should extend
10 = return IA such case OF the fee OF
g. % and the expenses Of the applicant
for the place Mr. Nelson said that he
was ready 20 return the fee. but that he
dId rot hold himself 20 blame for Bryant
not getting the job. Bryant said that Il
he had gone 20 Lynch with half dozen
children ne supposed that be would also
have been refused the work. Nelson re-
piled that such would have been the case
lynch positively refused 20 hire people
with children and dogs were just as bad.
Mr. Bryant then announced that his dogs
were very dear 20 him. The agent said
that he did not guarantee job; he
charged hts fee for the Information. Then
Nsvor Wood Safd that notice would be
sent TO thee employment agencies that they
would be held liable Cor the expense X
they sent men OF on Wild goose ehases.
The matter u collision was then dis
ru~sea ana Mr. Nel$on acknowledged that
he knew OF such cases. but that he con
Quoted his business honorahiy He vas
willing 20 return Bryant bis $50, which
be did.
Mr. Alien ssas~a that he knsw o. a Taco
vra awsnt who SAINT twenty rn@n 20 Pgyal-
i'm =, clear land ard charged each Ss-58
ue then went e TIE party owning the
isna and segwesssi thai Re discharge tie
bunch and STOW htrn ttae AEsno 70 ssnd
,,vt another gang st tA@ SANE price. and
they would divide the fse@' IBIS AFs A4seh
saws xas refused.
Nawor Weed vii cal = meeting q re
neers,s employment agents and tnteli-
sr>n,a men ard arrange a new Fs&n where
"a - Aabiaty o tAe AGENTS ws.l appear
more clear.y.