The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1907-03-16
HIGH PRAISE GIVEN Z. =. ).
FREE LABOR BUREAU
Department Of Commerce and La
bor at Washington Speaks
Well of State Bureau.
Only Free State Bureau at Mime
apolis Is Subject for Text in
Labor Report.

Minneapolis, March 14.-1n the lat.
est report of the department of COM
merce and labor, free employment Of
fees receive consideration in an article
from the pen Of J. E. Connor, Phi. D..
who visited Minnesota and investigat-
ed the workings of the state free en-
ployment bureau. Mr.. Connor is evil
>dently much impressed with the opin-
ion that Minnesota's labor bureau is
just about right, for his report con-
tains the following comment:
"Compared with other offices of its
kind, the free employment bureau of
Minneapolis seems to enjoy the public
confidence and respect to a rather un-
usual degree. Many speak with enthu-
siasm of it's work, especially as a Ia
Dor exchange. Applications of all sorts
are received, including even matrimon-
ial propositions and inquiries. With
such voldmbe Of work on hand 1t
is impossible for the office to give
the closest attention to Individual
cases. There are only two officials pro-
vided for, the superintendent and fe-
male assistant, the latter having
charge of the employment Of women.
Location is Favorable.
'"The point of particular excellence
about the situation in Minneapolis is
the fact that the office is located in the
city hall, and thus works in co-opera-
tion with other phases of social serv-
ice. The Wisconsin Offices, with one
exception, are located in quarters pro-
vided' by the cities, but in Minneapolis
the integrat1on has proceeded further,
and therefore offers a much better il
lustration Of what is to be gained
thereby. The significance of this is
shown in the following considerations:
"First-A city should provide the
office room, rent free, when the state
spends enough on the locality to sup
port the office. There is much less
reason for discomfort throughout the
remainder Of the state.
"second-This assumption of respon-
sibility by the city adds to the local
interest In the office.
"Third-The housing of the employ
ment office in the city hall puts it
where it property belongs as a part Of
| the social service. In the first place,
it is removed from the position of being
a mere competitor with all the private
agencies, good, bad, or Indifferent; Sec
| ondly, it is dignified as a public func-
ton by being placed along with munf-
cipall offices. where 1t properly belongs;
thirdly, it is within convenient reach
OF the officers Of the various inspec-
tors of factories, buildings, streets,
highways, etc, and is thus enabled to
learn Of improvements to be UNDER
taken, and consequently of the demand
for labor for public contracts; and,
| fourthly, it thus becomes valuable
! adjunct to the municipal courts.
Public Service Agent.
"Fourth-The city hall, being usual
ly a source of news for the daily
papers, the employment office gains
| public notice along. with other branch
es of the public service. If put in rent
ed quarters, it is apt to be treated by
| the press as a. private enterprise, and,
| Notwithstanding it's public function, be
obliged to pay for every notice, as if
| it were money-making scheme"
Throughout the article the Minne-
apolis branch, which is particularly
dealt with, is held up in a favorable
| light and as model worthy of con-
sideration by states ar cities contem-
plating the installation of similar
| bureaus. An interesting article is con-
trlbuted by Mrs. Eta Holmes who Is
| in charge of the -women's branch of
| the bureau, this article being made
a part Of Mr.. Connor's renort.