The herald., 1897-03-09
Commenced at EIysian Park
Yesterday Morning
A FORCE OF FIFTY.THREE
Armed With Pick and Shovel. Fifty
More Today
Many Visit the Site Of the New Boulevard.
Applications for Labor Still
Pouring In

Yesterday morning promptly at 8
o'clock more than hundred men were
at the entrance to EIysian park, on
Buena Vista street ready to begin
work on the new boulevard. 1t was the
beginning Of the enterprise inaugurated
and successfully carried forward by
the Merchants and Manufacturers as
ISOLATION to provide work for the unem-
ployed.
When Manager Wilde arrived with his
shovels and picks only fifty three of the
number could be set to work, and fifty
others were obliged to trudge back to
their homes to wait one day more until
they could be used to advantage.
This was disappointing, but they were
assured that work would be ready for
them this morning. Each man en-
ployed was given a bright new shovel.
and soon the rich, loamy soil began to
roll down the hill.
From the park entrance the new bou-
levard ascends a low hill and winds
around the base of another still higher
until 1t joins the road that leads to the
old burro trail From there 1t will ex-
tend to Chavez ravine and on to Griffith
park 1t will be fifty feet wide. and COM
mand variety of scenery unequaled
anywhere in the country outside of our
own state.
In the afternoon the road had begun
to take shape, about twelve feet or more
in width extending around the hill hav-
ing been leveled Off Before the digging
had progressed very far ledge OF rock
was struck, and holes were drilled ready
for blasting this morning.
A gang Of men shoveling dirt Is not
ordinarily a sight that attracts much
attention. The workers of yesterday,
however. were an exception to the rule,
for they were visited all day by people
interested in the project from either
business or humanitarian point of view.
The old cable cars side tracked just be-
low the hill afforded seats ana shade
for small boys and others who had time
and inclination to make day of it.
All the men employed yesterday were
heads of families, as 1t Is the purpose
Of the committee to provide first for
them.
When the days work Is done each
man receives his money, the paymaster
being on hand with his sack of silver
dollars. Among the workers yesterday
were aged men, white-haired and bent
of form, others were in middle life and
the few in younger manhood. To many
who were skilled artizans In trade the
shovel was a new implement in earning
a livelihood and was handled awkward
ly. The fewest number threw dirt as
though Injured to that kind of labor. AS
the work of registration progresses 1t
Is found that lack of employment Is
more widespread than had been sup
posed by those unacQuainted with the
situation.
If all who are in need are furnished
work to earn even slender living con-
tributions must be generous. Canvas
sing for subscriptions to the fund is still
going forward. and while many are lib
orally responding. others fully as able
to give are not doing their share to help
those less fortunate than themselves.
The police department yesterday
turned over to the committee through
Chief Glass $243.9hy each member having
contributed one days pay to the fund.