The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1905-02-10
LABOR W ANTS
STATE AGENCY
TOILERs INTERESTED IN BILLS
BEFORE LEGISLATURE.
Turnout the State Union and Non-union
Workers Are Watching the solons-
Fear Employers Liability Act Will
Not Pass General Plea for State En-
ployment Bureau.

Organized labor turnout the state is
taking greater interest in labor meas
ures now before the legislature and to
be presented than at any previous time.
Current reports would indicate that
some OF the bills will meet with defeat,
and among this class is the employers
liza bility act, upon which so much time
and money has been spent to secure
measure which would stand the tests
Of the higher courts in the event that
it's validity was ever contested. Nu-
merous reasons are advanced by the
supporters Of labor bills for the lack OF
necessary support, but, OF course, these
vary. 81 {. <.
Interest centers at present upon the
bill for the establishment OF a state en-
ployment agen = to be operated under
Nearly all workingmen, whether union
or non union, would be pleased to see
such an institution. The success of en-
ployment bureaus conducted under state
supervision, in other statese, seems to
warrant the assumption that one IN Min
| nesota would result in removing, many
ills that working people, who seek posi-
tions thru employment agencies are heir
| to- ...,. = .-'.-.'s
| The labor bureau established, in SUI
perior and operated under the direction
of the Wisconsin bureau, has proved sim
gularly successful, and those in a posi-
! ton to know say that this institution
has done much to remedy evils: The
proposed Minnesota bill will have
strong support, not only from the ranks
of the labor unions, but also from work
| ingmen who are outside Of the unions,
as well as many employers.
| The Union, the official organ or the
Minneapolis labor unions, says editorial
ly today:
1t is certainly little less than a crime to
compel the man who is out OF work and
honestly seeking employment to yield up
his last dollar for the purpose OF securing
chance to exchange his labor power foI
an opportunity to earn living
| There are also many abuses of private
employment agency which would be cor
rected under a properly conducted public
employment bureau. Under a private en-
| ployment system, there Is no doubt that
many men are sent on long journeys WITH
| the expectation Of securing employment
! which never Is furnished them, and their
money is taken with the knowledge that
the chances will be largely against their
returning to the places from which they
are sent, to make trouble, and thus they
are compelled to become tramps and beg
gars. It is equally true that under the
present system it is regular thing fol
the foremen of large contractors to ''stand
| i'm with employment agencies and Civ:
a few days employment to men for the
purpose of getting their money for fees
which is divided between the foremen an6
the agencies, and the men are turned
adrift in few days to make room for an
other crew who are bled in the same
manner. s... F.. .,,7,.,,r$'., - +
These are abuses which all who have
given the subject any investigation know
exist, and the only way in which they
can be surely and speedily remedied il
by the establishment of public employ
ment agencies, where the man out, of work
can be furnished employment without be.
ing robbed of his last dollar. ~ -