Los Angeles herald., 1907-12-13
AGENTS MUST
OBEY LA VS.
COMPLAINTS SPUR OFFICIALS TO
ACTION
EMPLOYMENT AGENCIES MUST
SECURE PERMITS
Prosecuting Attorney Notifies Owners
of places That Ordinances
Must Be obeyed or Legal
Action Will Be Taken

Because of the frequent complaints be-
ing made to the prosecuting attorneys
office concerning the operation OF en-
ployment agencies in Los Angeles, Deputy
Prosecutor Ford has been instructed by
City Prosecutor Fleming to communicate
with the different agencies and give
them notice that henceforth any violations
of the state laws or city ordinances Will
be vigorously prosecuted.
Mr. Ford in his letter to the agencies,
quotes the section governing employment
agencies, which makes it unlawful for any
employment agent to receive, directly
or indirectly any money or other Valu-
able consideration from any person seek
ing employment. or for any information
or assistance, furnished or to be fur
nished by said agent to said person, en-
abling or tending to enable said person
to secure employment prior to the time
at which said information or assistance
is actually thus furnished"
The Interpretation placed on the above
section by the prosecuting attorneys of
flee will will prohibit an employment agent
from receiving money as a registration
fee or as a membership fee in any asso-
citation. or as a fund secured in advance
for advertising purposes, etc.
This does not mean that an agent can
not make a charge at the time the in
formation or assistance is furnished, or
give card to a customer, directing him
to go to certain place where en-
ployment may be obtained, but it does
forbid the receipt by the agent or any
money, under any pretense whatsoever,
unless at the time the money is received
the agent has actual information con-
corning position of the particular char
acter sought by the person from whom
the money is received.
No Leniency to Be Shown
In the past the prosecuting attorney
has given the employment agents an op-
portunity to refund before beginning
any prosecution, but it is declared that
none will be given in the future and that
any violation will be vigorously prose-
cuted and no leniency shown.
The agencies are further advised that
by the provisions of section of the
same law, If the information concern
ing a position given and charged for
proves to be in any material degree un-
true. or the person is unable to secure
such position. the agency is required to
return the fee charged, taking such
reasonable precautions to protect him
self against fraud on the part of the ap-
plicant.
All employment agencies must pay
license to the city. and no license can
be granted until a permit has been Sc
cured from the board of police COM
missioners, but Mr.. Ford says the COM
mission will readily grant a license to
any person conducting business in a re-
putable manner and in accordance with
the laws of the state, so there is no ex-
cuse for any reputable business not hav-
ing a license from the city.
Mr.. Ford in closing his letter, says the
strict enforcement of the laws cannot
work a hardship upon any reputable en-
ployment agency and the driving out
of disreputable agencies will aid the
legitimate agent by removing from the
minds of the public the suspicion which
now attaches to this class of busi-
ness.