The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-31
A LABOR FAMINE.
Topeka Railway Company Cannot Get
Help Here.

A labor famine seems to exist in
Topeka. With almost 100000 worth
of work on its hand, at wages adj
vanced from $3.50 to $3.50 per day,
the Topeka Railway company has de-
cided to import at least 200 laborers
from outside points.
All last week the railway company
hunted the town over, through the
employment agencies by advertising
and by sending emissaries on the
Estreets,3but the efforts awaited nothing.
So today it was decided to go to other
points to find men to do the work.
The labor is on the new steel bridge
across the Kaw river to be commenced
within ten days, the changing OF the
weight of rails on the Washburn' Low
man Hill, Asylum and West Tenth
street lines, and the extension of the
West Fourth street line, all of which
| it is planned to commence as quickly
as IaborerS can be obtained. The COM
plete cost of this work, according to
Secretary Kelly of the railway COM
pany, will amount to over 100000.
I'VE don't want to bring in outside
help" said Mr.. Kelly this morning.
1--we know that if we do, we will be
jumped on right and left. But we
have done everything in our power to
get men. The town has been hunted
over from end to end. All last week
we worked SO short-handed that We
could practically do nothing. 1 do not
understand why these conditions ex-
ist We wish to go to work on our
improvements Immediately, but are
entirely halted by lack of workmen :.
LAS an inducement to get men,
continued Mr.. Kelly, I'VE raised the
wages last week from $3.50 to $3.50
per day. But that didn't help us a
particle. The men are simply I'M
available. There is but one solution
in sight, and that is to go outside OF
1,ha Toneka Gas company will
shortly commence relaying great
many of it's mains and will naturally
need a lot of men. No effort has YET
been made, however, by the company
to get laborers. c. K. Holiday was
seen in regard to the matter this
morning, and said:
Schenck, of Chicago, will be here to
take charge, and he will look after
the work. L am unable to say any
thing on the matter. But of course
/ We shall need help.
r. s. Williams, in charge of the city
employment office, was questioned on
the situation, and gave the following
as a solution: ut appears that the
. loose labor which the city supplies,
| especially of Topeka. For the past SIX
weeks there has been constant
cIamor from the farms for men. The
usual wage is from SIS to $50 per
. month with board and lodging. But
very frequently now farmers come in
here and offer s25 a month for men
. and cannot get them. The farmers
! are very anxious to put up their corn
, and hay while the weather IS good
They all complain of a lack of help
, and offer exceptional wages. We have
been unable to supply the demand fol-
the past month"
Mr.. williams thinks, however, that
: within a couple of weeks or a LITTLE
longer, the work on the farms will be
. over and the laborers will come bach
to town. THAT will likely break the
, famine which now seems to exist, ne
: said. ST believe that then those in the
: city needing laborers will get all tina
: are needed by that time.
But that will not solve the problem
The city railway company wants 1t!
men Immediately, for it desires Il
:. make its improvements before the in
clement weather sets in. and stops th'
= work For that reason the 1mporta
lions of foreign help will be made.