The Sunday globe., 1901-06-09
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES,
Two Dollars for the "Chance" Of
Seeing the Alleged Employer.

Say, Globe, why don't you write up
these fake" employment agencies
which Major Sylvester and the District
Commissioners permit to fleece the un-
sophisticated"
Are there places of this character
Are there? Well, l should think.
The woods are full of 'em. Just look
at the advertising columns Of the daily
papers, notably the Times, and you
will find the fakes with perhaps a
genuine one sandwiched in, although,
for that matter the genuine any more
than the fake" is the last place for
man out Of employment to be put on
to a job unless he is able to fork out
fee
The Globe, having had some eXpe-
rience with employment agencies, and
aware that many of the States, notably
Ohio, has official employment offices in
every city the superintendents Of
which are State officers, made a quiet
| investigation of the Washington con-
Germs and maryeled much that the
| Trades Unionist, instead of maligning
union newspapers, had not devoted its
/ supcrbuudaut talents in curing n
similar institution from Congress to
/ those conducted in other States by
enactments of their respective legis-
/ latures.
The first place visited was at No. 62l
/ r St. n. W. The Globe man read the
advertisement in the Times. There
was a job for a man at $50 per month
/ to take care of a house. Just the very
thing we wanted. as we were not only
/ capable Of taking care Of a house but
| a whole city. So we meandered to 62l
| f st. n w, and entered the presence
| of the obsequiOus clerk in the outer Of
fee. He smilingly received us, and,
making known our business, he invited
MS to a seat and stated that the boss
would be at leisure in a few moments
| While waiting, six or seven more ap-
plicants dropped in and filled all the
chairs in the outer Office. We began
| to feel dubious as to our chances, and
incidentally reminded the clerk that
we were next" Presently the bell
tapped and we entered the sanctum
and stood before the boss"
well sir" said he in reply to our
application, 81 will furnish you the
name of the person requiring the care
taker You must take your chances
with the other applicants, but it will
cost you the sum Of two dollars"
81 didn't know | was running up
against this old time racket" we re-
torted and made for the door.
"Not that way, sir, this door, please"
and he let us out by another doorway
into the hallway, so that we could not
pass through the outward office and
notify the waiting suckers.
It will be readily comprehended that
If the employment agency collects So
from each applicant for the mere
chance Of getting a job, the business
is not only a graft" Of the shady or
der, calling for the surveillance of the
police, but a moneymaking concern su.
perior for quick returns to the 500 per
cent investment fakes recently come
to grief in New York
Calling at No $40 f st. N. W., we
found a similar state of affairs A de-
posit for the chances" Of obtaining
the position against an army of com
petitors
This matter is briefly called to the
attention Of Major Sylvester for
further investigation and development,
or what is the use of having a police
and detective force at all Major, IL
you do not protect the citizen seeking
employment and willing to work hon
estly for a living, equally as we'll, at
least, as the madams and their lovers
in the malodorous Division are taken
care Of and kept" free from imposl-
tion by visiting strangers or home de-
generates?