The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1897-08-17
4 GREAT CLAMOR FOR WORK
Hundreds of Men Apply Where
Only Fifty Are Needed.
POLICE DIsPERsE THE CROWD
A Want Ad. in the Newspapers Over
whelms the Tiber Creek Sewer
Contractor With Applicants Re-
markahIe Scene at Garfield Park
Views of Local Labor Lenders.

In response to an advertisement in the
local newspapers for laborers, Contractor
Murphy, who is in charge of the con
struction OF the Tiber Creek and New
Jersey avenue sewer, was yesterday morn
Ing oyerrun by applicants seeking work
Mr.. Murphy advertised for fifty laborers,
but when he arrived at the place where
work on the sewer was begun he found
over 800 men waiting for him. clamoring
for an opportunity 10 work. The contractor
could only utilize fifty men, so the others
were compelled TO leave without employ
meut
1t took Mr.. Murphy but short time
to select those whom he desired from
among the crowd. The applicants Were
lined up and as he rapidly walked down
the line, he called out those he wanted
Tie others adjourned to Garfield Park
lear by to nurse their disappointment,
while some followed Mr.. Murphy begging
for work. Under the condition which MI.
Murphy is compelled to prosecute the
excavation for the laying of the sewer,
it is impossible for him TO use more than
this tie disappointed applicants fingered
around and finally became so iInpOrtunate
as to make it necessary for Mr.. Murphy
TO call on the police to disperse thetn
The men went in body to Garfield Park
but did not remain there long, but soon
went to their several homes. The men
though greatly disappointed We're very
orderly, There being no boisterous or loud
talking.
Most Of them had been out o: work a
long time, and not few OF them hadfami-
lies at home suffering for the actual neces-
saries OF life. One Intelligent and neat
looking white woykingInan said:
God knows l need work badly enough.
My rent is overdue, andI have already had
notice II vacate the no use live in, and my
children need food.
Il hear some people say times are get
ting better. l wish l could see it, but
in all the years have lived here l never
suffered for food before"
Contractor Murphy said to Times re-
porter that he was compelled TO have the
men move out of the park, as they actually
interfered WITH the work ON the sewer
The big towers over which the cable car
rying the scoop shovels is to run, were be-
ing erected yesterday, and it was feared
that some of the men might be injured,
as they were standing almost under them
The matter was a subject Of general dis
cGssion in labor circles last night The
leaders Were very outspoken on the sub
ject and are satisfied that something must
be done, and that soon, to relieve the situa-
ton. The scene yesterday at Garfield Park
is, they say, being enacted day after day
in all parts Of the country, and is the best
evidence in the world that the promised
prosperity wave has not struck the coun-
try yet.
Mr.. Milford spohn, president OF the
Central Labor Union, said:
The affair yesterday morning at Gar
field Park, where hundreds of honest
workingmen were found ny Mr. Murphy
waiting to beg for work proves many
things First, it proves conclusively that
the men who are often seen standing on
the street corners, and who are generally
looked upon as voluntary idlers, would
gladly work IL given the opportunity
1t proves also that ali the twaddle heard
abopt the wave of property and the re.
vivai or industries is false, for if these men
, whom it is proven are willing to work
could find employment elsewhere they
would not remain here"
This condition, Mr.. Spohn said, does not
only affect the common lsborer The skill
ed workInen is affected as well, and there
are hundreds who are walking the streets
day after day who cannot find work at
any price.
Mr.. A. nj. Lawson, master wor kman OF
District Assembly No. 66, Knights of Labor
said the circumstance showed plainly that
the laboring men of the city were ac-
tually hungering for work. The state OF
affairs, however, he said, were just such
as the capitalists wanted, aud they would
do nothing to improve the conditions I'M
less it was to materially affect their own
interests. 1t was only another phase OF
the war between muscle and improved
machinery. and was striking evidence
that the hours of labor in every trade
and calling must be reduced to guarantee
tie Common people an honest living when
put in competition with labor-saving ma
cfines.