The San Francisco call., 1897-01-19

| competency IL the agent were re-
| quired to return the fee. Mr.. Fitzgerald
replied that in that case an injustice
might be done to the agent, but that
no law on any subject could be framed
that would not injure somebody. He
| added as an instance of dishonesty that
one employment firm in San Francisco
sent 5000 men to the Guadalupe Railroad
section near San Jose to do work that
could be done by 900 men. His informant
| was Mr.. Hood of the Southern Pacific
! Company, he SAID.
| He added that he had been informed that
in yesterdays issue of newspaper was
an advertisement from one firm calling
| for 800 men, when in fact he did not be-
lieve that the employment agency had
| places for sixty.
Mr.. Morgenstern closed the argument
by reiterating his statement that the bill
was a Democratic job. If it was not for
political capital why did those mass
meetings pass resolutions that it was not
for political effect.
Mr.. Fitzgerald replied that the resolu-
tion was passed because Employment
Agent Ready had stated six months ago
that the resolution was for political effect.
Mr.. Morgenstern argued that the object of
the bill to establish a free labor bureau
was to drive all employment agents out
of the business. The Labor Com missioner
would be competitor IN business.
Senator Morehouse called attention to a
clause requiring the Labor Com missioner
| to keep secret the information he might
gain from his inspection of the books of
employment agents. He did not believe
that the Legislature had right to pass a
law fixing fees or compensation so low
| that the a. ents could not make a living.
He did not know whether per cent was
sufficient or an insufficient com pensa-
tion for the employment agent. Ii the
agent had to advertise or look about to
find a suitable man he did not think that
per cent was reasonable compensation.
Agent Hansen was asked to describe to
the committee the manner in which he
transacted his business in the matter of
furnishing help to employers. Mr.. Han
sen told of the labor involved, of the ad-
vertising expenses, of the CORES pondence
with employers and of the other details
that take up the time of the employment
agent.
Suppose that wanted skilled type
writer in my Office. how would you set
about getting me one?" asked Senator
Morehouse.
Mr.. Hansen explained that he kept a
register of applicants, with the length OF
their experience and their capacity, their
references, etc. For this no charge was
made. The charge for getting position
was 10 per cent for position of that kind
There were other places for which only
per cent was charged.
Mr.. Hansen said that he averaged 400 or
500 men per month. He had four persons
in his Office assisting him in the business.
In the majority of cases where man was
earning $40 month he did not charge 10
per cent; be took 81 or 81 80, or so cents.
He considered that the bill was an in
iringement on his constitutional rights
and said that if it became law be would
close his door and take his name off it.
Mr.. Murray next made statement. he
| made charges against Hansen ard other
agents and created much laughter. The
| com mittee then went into executive ses-
sion at II :35 A. NJ.
The committee at l rs A. NJ. decided to
| recommend the passage of the bill with
some slight amendments in the wording.