The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-11-09
1T CATCHES UP
Supply of Labor Is Now in Ex-
cess of Demand.
For First Time This Season
Applicants Are Waiting.
MORE FARM HANDS.
The Farmers No Longer Have
Trouble to Get Help.
Western Harvest Hands Are
Still Drifting Back.
MORE FARM HANDS.

For the first time in the past two
years, the supply Of labor in Topeka is
In excess of the demand.
Dozens of untitled applications for
work are on file at the Office of the
free employment agent, 7. S. Williams
Every concern which has been clamor-
ing for help and keeping standing or
der for men on the books of the en-
ployment agency. reports that it is full,
and no more men are wanted
Every day more laboring men seem
20 be coming in to the city. Most of
these are from the west, and the present
surplus of labor is due probably in no
small degree to the great shutdown in
the Montana copper district. and the
bitterly contested strikes in progress at
Cripple Greek, Victor and Colorado
points. The men who are arriving now
are the advance guard of the thousands
who are drifting eastward as fast as
they can, seeking work It is not inn
probable that this significant movement
OF labor may result in a gradual de-
cline in the high wages which have been
The rule for the past few years.
1t was only a fortnight ago that a
Gozen first class jobs as farm hands at
from go TO $50 month and board, were
going begging on the books of the en-
ployment office Now thew are all gone
Tor farm hands. There has also been
steady demand for corn huskers but
there are half dozen men in line
now, waiting for the next huskfng ion
to appear.
The Rodgers Vitrified Brick works
mas been calling for men for month.
with but small response. Yesterday a
man was sent there to get job, ana
came back with a message from Mr.
Rodgers that they had all the men thew
could use. The steady demand from the
cement building stone works is also at
an end.
Only the city railway is running big
gangs now and taking on lots of men,
and the weather is holding back this
work so that it is doubtful whether
much can be done before freeze comes.
Dor in Topeka is now from $3.50 to 81. Is
per day The common laborers' union
aces NOT cut much figure with these
prices; the prices have been held I'D
by the insufficient supply of labor to fill
the demand. Now that the exodus of
labor from the west to Kansas has set
In, 1t would not be surprising to see a
slump in the labor market.
Anotnef OF the New York expedi-
ton OF alleged harvest hands drifted
back to the free employment office to-
day. he has had hard luck and is try
ing to make enough money to get him
SER nome, without calling on his parents
Tor assistance. He will stay in Topeka
ployment. This morning he said:
came in yesterday and have been
trying to get something to do, BUT have
failed SO far Anything that will make
me an honest dollar is good enough.
was in Topeka on my way west
worked in the harvest field for three
weeks, but 1 was teo light to handle the
work, and quit it for another job Then
1 got railroad job, and worked on the
section out in Colorado. [ had quite a
nice little stake when I met with an
accident, and hurt my back. 1 was
laid UP out there for month, and most
all of my money went for doctors
still have a little bit of money left. but
] want to get something to do out here
till my back gets we'll. don't want
do heavy work, like they have on the
railroad, but l can do most anything
else, and want a chance to try
John Alexander, the assistant empIov-
ment agent, sent the young fellow to
see a couple of other New York bows
who came out here in the same crowd,
and who now have secured good jobs in
Topeka One is employed by the Dun
agency, and one at the Copeland hotel
They will probably try to get their fell
lOw-sufferer a, job.
When asked about the chance for
laboring men the young New Yorker
said: There's nothing doing out west
and hundreds of men are headed for
this part of the country hunting jobs
The strikes in Colorado and the tie-up
without support. have run across sew
eral old fellows who have never done