The herald., 1897-01-30
THE SITUATION IS SERIOUS
The City Is Filled With
Idle Men
The NUMBER ESTIMATED At 5000
Plans for Relief Considered by
the Authorities
THEY ARE SHORT OF FUNDS
And Il Consequence Nothing Has as Yet
Been Done
Work on the Streets and Ia the Parks Kas
Been Suggested
Plans for Relief Considered by
the Authorities
THEY ARE SHORT OF FUNDS
And IL Consequence Nothing Has as Yet
Been Done
Work on the Streets and Ia the Parks Ras
Been Suggested
Street Sweeping by Hand and Day La
Dor Also Among the Measures for
Temporary Relief That Have
Received Consideration.

Received Consideration.
1t Is estimated that there are now be-
tween four and five thousand men out of
employment in the city, many of whom
have families dependent upon them for
support, and what to do with them is be-
comir,S a very serious problem. The
municipal authorities have for several
, weeks past realized that the situation
is grave one, but have as yet been un-
able to devise any means of affording re-
lief. The finance committee and the
board of public works have had the mat
ter under consideration, but the claim
is made that the finances Of the city are
not in such condition at the present time
aa to justify the employment of any con-
siderable force of extra men. A plan pro-
posed was that $50 extra men be employ
ed in the street department for ten days,
when they would be relieved and an
other relay of the same number be en-
ployed for the same length of time, but
this has not yet been done, presumably
for lack of money.
Another plan which has been under
consideration IL to have the street
sweeping done by hand and by day la
Dor. This work Is now done by contract.
and it is a question whether this can be
broken. 1t Is stated that President Sill
yer, Councilmen Nickel and Grider and
Street Superintendent Drain had con-
ference on this question a day or two
ago, when the matter was talked over.
President Silver it Is said, advocated
the plan, saying that good men could be
secured at 81 per day, or rather per
night, who needed the work, and that
this would relieve the present situation,
but no action was taken.
Still another plan suggested was that
a number OF men be employed In the
parks but here the question of finances
again came in and nothing was done.
MERCHANTS TAKE ACTION.
That the people generally are becom-
Ing aroused to the necessity for some
immediate action is shown by the fol-
lowing communication from the Mer
chants and Manufacturers association
filed with the city clerk yesterday:
To the Council of Los Angeles: At
meeting of the board of directors of this
association held January 25th the sub
ject of the unemployed In our midst was
introduced and its various phases dis
cussed at considerable length. These
unfortunate people not only appeal to
our synpathes for themselves, and, in
some cases. those dependent upon them
for support. but it is felt that so large an
element of idle and needy men is seri-
Gus menace to the safety of the CON-
munity.
The directors of this association there
fore believe that the gravity of the sit
uation calls for some action on the part
of your honorable body without further
I-r- H.. l.,@
ment the secretary was instructed by
unanimous vote to address a communi-
cation to you respectfully urging that
immediate steps be taken to provide
work for the deserving unemployed.
1t was remarked that there is much
useful work that needs to be done, such
as keeping the business streets in better
order, ,maca damizing the suburban road
ways, improving the parks and boule-
wards, etc. Assistance thus rendered. is
not to be construed as charity, for it
will enable the recipient to help himself,
retain his self-respect and remain an
honorable member of society.
1t is believed that public funds judi
ciously expended for such a purpose in
the present emergency will meet with
the hearty approval of taxpayers
WIN. Fl. KNIGHT, Secretary.
THE EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES
are crowded almost as soon as the sun
has risen, and groups of men stand
around hoping that something may turn
UP by which they can earn enough to
keep the wolf from the door.
But 1t requires so cents in the first
place to register and even this small
amount is often not to be obtained by
many of those who are looking for work
An additional fee, ranging up to SO, is
charged as soon as a job is procured and
here again is an often insurmountable
stumbling block to the willing worker.
A SAMPLE CASE
A great strong man of 40 years, with
wife and four little ones, related his
bitter experience to a Herald reporter
yesterday afternoon. He has been out of
work for six weeks and in that time the
few dollars that he had in the savings
bank have gradually disappeared Last
Monday his capital was reduced to SIS,
the proceeds of a pawned watch, and he
started off early Monday morning, still
sanguine of procuring work, though the
daily search for work for five long weeks
during which time he says he had not
earned three full days wages, might
we'll have disheartened him.
He determined to register at A. we'll
known and very reputable employment
agency, paid his so cents and was told
to call again.
He was ready for anything, digging a
sewer or breaking stones, although his
education, training and bearing-he had
been a clerk at one time-itted him
for what some think is superior employ
ment.
Tuesday morning he was delighted TO
hear that there was a chance FOR him.
He could solicit for q very generally
used article and be rewarded with 51
per cent of the proceeds. The lob prom =
ised good returns and he gladly paid his
SO to the employment agent.
Unhappily he soon discovered that
collections on the article that he had
promised to solicit for were only ma do =
the end of the month, and he would have
to wait thirty days before he wouid
reap any reward.
He is minus $3.50 and is looking fo,