The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-03

FARMING As A RELIEF SYSTEM.
In an interview with Frank D. Schuyler.
published yesterday in the Poss-Intelligen-
Ger. he referred to the large number of
men unemployed IN Eastern cities, and the
proposed plan for enforced employment
II liz believed that number are not too
anxious to escape idieness. and those who
have been contributing TO relief societies
intend securing large tracts OF land, erect
buildings, and then say TO the class I'M
willing TO work: Now. you people go to
these places and work.
There is considerable controversy In
Eastern papers over this proposed plan.
Some of the papers are disposed TO give 1t
trial. while others are satisfied that II
must prove a failure The latter argue
that of the thousands of unemployed men
in the various cities very few could be In
duced to live IN the country. and would fail
ANONYMOUSLY II they were to attempt to
make living by farming. No doubt this
is true. there are many. however, who
would be glad to exchange the toll Of the
city for the toll of the couatry, but t4.ese
are people who would be industrious any,
where, and need no more than a helping
hand.
The proposed plan. while 1t looks feas-
bile will be a failure. Those who are un-
willing to work in the colony will not only
refuse TO do Il themselves but will have
mischievous influence over those who
would be willing enough il they were left
to themselves. The fact of the matter is
that it would be cruel to force many of
those idle men on to a piece Of land and
compel them to make a living for them
selves from its cultivation. Successful
farming Is one OF the most highly skilled
occupations OF the world, and one of the
hardest 10 conduct at profit. Even with
"a superintendent to instruct the settlers In
the routine OF farming so much must be
left to individual Judgment. and especially
to individual industry. that such a colony
would give very unsatisfactory results.
This Is, OF course. only In the case of un-
willing workers. such as those 1t is pro-
posed TO colonize. Even with willingness,
II Is very difficult for a middle-aged man to
change his habits. Most men who have
been employed in cities have worked under
direct superintendent. and with meehan-
ical regularity. There are occupations
where iaborer makes only two strokes
repeating them all day long. At best. the
unskilled mechanic works by piece. doing
the same thing over and over again. with
no thought of the morrow or planning dor
the future. The farmer must plan weeks
ahead. and follow up those plans as
methodically as the mechanic. but 1t calls
for the exercise OF different faculties.
1t must be remembered. too. that. max
Ing some exceptions for misfortune. those
men who are most out of work are the
least competent; and the form that incom-
petence most generally takes Is an en-
deavor TO do the least possible amount of
work for the days pay. Working on that
principle. no man can make a successful
farmer.
II is an old problem, and the solution
has long been sought. Society knows what
to do with its vicious population. and up
to certain point IL can allow the worth
less element TO take care OF itself: but the
great responsibility OF society is the indus
trious who are able and willing to work
but cannot find employment. The readiest
answer would be 10 propose some system
of placing upon the government the re-
sponssbility Of making employment by
starting public works That would pro-
vide work for masons and hricklayers, but
What IL m herDne cf ha sha lar md
bakers and store clerks? They would not
be benefited 10y public works nor would
Il be humane to drive them like a flock of
sheep upon large Pingree farm. and bid
them dig or starve.
The inquiry might be extended to doc
tors who cannot get patients. lawyers who
get no business except what they can pick
NJ or the doorsteps of a courthouse. men
who have been brought UP TO no oecupa-
ton and have lost all their property by
unfortunate investment. or with that other
large class, go much 70 he pitied. who have
seen better days. but who are 10 be found
in all our cities. always on the edge of
starvation. Their story has been told Nv
Charles Dickens: they are In every city in
a certain percentage.
The wages Of most OF the iaborers who
are now troubling the large cities Is not
large enough st best TO enable them 10 put
by for Idle times. and the men are usually
not Of The kind 20 be very self-aenylng in
order TO be proviient There IL in New
York what Is called the social labor and
colonization committee, hut IL gives mp all
hope Of making provision for :he unem-
rloyed by inducing them - save II has
finally landed, after many discussions on
TIRE 'aea thar the My way Is to have the
government o-er inducements to distribute
TIRE pepuIace from; the overevowaed indus
trial conters b colonizlnS the Idle lands
The farmer who is making a good living
finds 1t impossible TO keep his sons in the
country. even though they have been a--
| eustened 20 thar ufe. II IS rot likely tina,
| the average man who has heen accustomed
10 tire noise ana hustle OF city. proa;i.xx
Though they De. would be content with
rural delights.