Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1904-07-28
ON TO THE WHEAT FIELDS.
Scene in New York Free Employment
Bureau.

Scene in New York Free Employment
| Bureau.
! New York Sun.-High wages in the
wheat fields have appealed so far to
about 200 New Workers. That at least
was the number of applications that
had been received by Superintendent:
Bealin of the state free employment
bureau when he closed his desk the
other day. Mr.. Bealin had announced
/ in the newspapers that 81 900 extra
/ hands were needed to reap the south
western harvest. Mr.. Bealin's stated
reception time was p m, and that
hour found a score of the up-against-it
on the stairs and in the hallway of
the bureau. Supt. Bealin was busy,
the policeman told them at intervals,
but would see them soon. The would.
be farmers busted themselves reading
the wheat belt could be had for $1,000,
with special beyond that of a cent
mile. There were no cheers for the
bulletin.
Twenty fifty" growled one of the
unemployed. "If 1 had that much
wouldn't want to work at ALL"
mo corporation gets that much out
of me-" said another Me for the
popular rolling stock, with the grab
and gateway at convenient lunch
counters"
That's the way to talk" said a
/ former waiter on the Bowery. ANY
geezer who can't beat his way to Kan
sas City amt fit to work there BY
the looks of that bill of fare it would
take 50-spot to make the round trip,
and there wouldn't be much of bank
roll when we got home"
81 wish could find guy who could
play guitar" was the sigh of a man
who looked robust enough to preside
over an ice wagon. Il can make a
banjo hum and it's pretty soft travel
ing for pair of musicians"
That speech brought beam of hope
to the face of a young fellow along
side. 81 can play piano." he said
quickly.
Nothing doing" replied the banjo
list, Il can't carry even one end of
piano" The other candidate SAID
nothing, but looked gloomy Nearly
all looked willing to work and most of
them were cleaned and dressed up"
Presently the office door opened and
Supt Bealin marshaled the aspirantS
before him.
Cpl tell you all at once and plain
ly," he said you men think you
want to go out there to work, but
don't want you to start with any mis-
understanding. No man can do che
work out there unles he's strong and
healthy and used to rough, outdoor
work The hours are long and the
food is coarse. If you go out you
will have to pay your fare just as the
bulletin cells you, and cent a mile
beyond the center of the wheat belt
We don't want you to start for there
and go broke on the way, and We
don't want you to get sick out there
The pay IS about $3.50 day-from 81
to $3.50, with $3.50 the limit. If YOU
get sick out there you won't have any
drug store to run to or any mother 70
care for you; you'll have to take
chance. Think it all over and come
back in day or two, if you still be,
lieve you want to be farmhands. But
remember, above everything else, thaC
you had better not think of making
the trip unless you can do the work
that is wanted"
The candidates salaamed and march
ed out. Some almost ran, so fearsome
was the prospect that Mr., Bealin had
exposed. One or two fingered long
enough to say that they We're anxious
to go. but couldn't see just where the
money for their railroad fare r,ouli
come from.
My little lecture may have sounded
harsh and discouraging," said Supt
Bealin afterward, "but it would be-
wicked to let men like these start for
the west under a Risapprehension,
They mean well, most of them, but OF
the 20 that you just saw in here
don't suppose more than four could
do the labor that is required. The
object of this bureau is not TO get men
away lTOh NEW 10TH, DuI W IlHu lOl
them work they can do. That is why
have spread all the hardships of the
farm in front of them, Men have
been coming in punches like that ever
since the announcement was printed
and | have given the same talk to all
of them. Those who are determined
to tackle the job will come back in a
day or SO, but do not think we wil
begin sending any of them west until
early next week. have written to
! learn how long the employment will
last, and If the period isn't long
enough to make it profitable for the
men | will advise them all not to go.
Have you had any applications
from college men," Supt Bealin was
asked.
Not yet. We sent a number Of
them to the wheat fields last year, and