The Wichita daily eagle., 1901-06-25
WORK STARTED HERE
Free Employment Agency Is
Fully Launched.
HOW TO SECURE WORK
Mr. Holcomb Talks About
Operation of Law.
HOW TO SECURE WORK

Walter L. Holcomb. for several years
with the safe labor bureau, and one OF
the most intelligent students of the labor
question in this state. was in Wichita yes
terday, making his last rounds as a pub
lie servant He retired from the state Ia
Dor bureau several weeks ago but Gov
ernor Stanley. recognizing his ability and
zeal. asked him TO give q litsle time TO
the launching Of the employment bureau
system created by the .ast legislature.
In addition to being a thorough student
/ Of labor problems, lGr. HoIcomb has also
made a stuoy Of lne causes and cure OF
crime, and his ideas on the subject are
very interesting. He wiz make his fu-
ture home in Indiana
Under the Law local free employment
agencies must be established IN all cities
OF the first class in the state, and may be
established in all cities OF the second
class at the discretion Of the mayor and
council. II no other provision be made.
the law provides that the duties Of free
employment agent shall devolve upon the
city clerk, who shall perform the same.
and his Office shall be the free employ
ment agency Of said city.
A custom peculiar to Wichita whereby
the change in the o.lce Of city clerk
takes place later than that Of other city
officers, has delayed the establishment Of
the local free employment agency here.
Walter I. Holcomb, who since the es-
tabnshment Of the bureau has been as
sisting Director Gerow In the central ONCE
at Topeka, dropped in yesterday to look
after the local agency and render what
ever assistance was necessary in opening
the agency in Wichita. On being asked
about the worA OF the new bureau, Alr.
Holconb said:
While the state free employment bu-
reau has been in operation out about
-wo months, it has given greater evil
dence Of its utility than its most sanguine
friends expected. Local agencies have
been established IN forty-four cities Of
the state. During the present harvest
these agencies alone have supplied 1850
men from points IN eastern Kansas for
the wheat belt, where they have all
found employment. The bureau has ben
nearest them, enabling them 20 find work
at the least possible expense ana know
ing beforehand that their services We're
required. lt has avoided the frequent as
senbling of too many men IN any one
place. which has occurred only in one in
stance. in Barton county, where some
hundreds of men, largely from other
states, and with no knowledge of this bu-
reau, found themselves with no employ
ment for lack of intelligent direction.
aside from the harvest hand proposi-
ton, the local agencies have been instru-
mental In bringing together employers
and those desiring work in all vocations,
and its efforts are greatly appreciated by
all concerned.
L have no doubt but that your local
agency here in Wichita win prove one Of
the best in the state. because OF the
business activity characteristic of your
city. Your employers will mid it a bless
ing; the contractor who wants skilled
labor, the farmer Who wants farm
hand, the housewife who is looking for
help, can sll register their
wants free on blanks PREPARED for that
purpose. and all applicants for work are
only too glad TO avail themselves OF this |
IN their behalf. Your oblig-
ing city clerk. bIr. Leland, informs US
that he is willing to do all in his power I
TO successfully carry on this work. and 7 |
know he will be given every assistance !
possible by Director Gerok. who is a ca
psble and gentlemanly official
Wichita, which has q state reputation /
or never passing up' a good thing, should /
take hold OF this matter and see that It 4
goes. providing whatever additional help
the city clerk may require TO carry on /
the work. in the event that Il becomes !
necessary. Its successful operation would
mean fewer idie men and women and
better service. for each applicant for en-
must Ill out blank giving ref
srences and such other data as the en-
boyer and the state have a right to know
Il would mean less money paid out Tor
poor relief or some other form Of char
ty, and at the same time preserve TO the
workers that degree Of independence
which goes with good citizenship. Seven
states have ike departments. IN al Of
which It has proven a success, for i IS
'ased on the idea that employment IS
,etter than idleness. recognizes that the
margin between work and want IS some
ines narrow indeed. and that an uncer-
ain tenure Of employment oftumes re-
ults IN the expenditure OF more vital
mercy than would years OF productive
OIL
Mr. ". s. whedon, Cashier o. the First