The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1907-08-22
STRAUS BLAMES
LABOR SHORTAGE
Says This Is Responsible for
Troubled Conditions
in the West.
HELPING THE IMMIGRANT
BUREAU. OF DISTRIBUTION
HOPES TO SOLVE PROBLEM.

1T is not a question of wages. but OF
men to do the work" said Oscar 8. Straus
at the Knutsford yesterday. referring to
conditions as he finds them. especially in
the west Mr.. StTaus said he believes
the japanese government is keeping its
faith and observing the passport system,
issuing papers to none who is not en-
titled to them. Mr.. Straus believes the
bureau established in his department at
the head of which is Terrence Y. Pow
DERBY, formerly the foremost leader Of the
Knights of Labor, and more recently COM
missioner of immigration, will do much
toward relieving the congestion of i'm
migrants at the Atlantic seaport towns
and place them where labor and settlers
are needed.
Il left Washington July 1 for the pur-
pose OF inspecting and acqualnt1ng myself
with the field work of the department Of
commerce and labor. l went over the
Canadian Pacific to Vancouver and thence
to San Francisco by way of Seattle. Ia
coma and Portland. From San Francisco
went to Honolulu, where I remained ten
days.
Shortage of Labor.
Everywhere 1 found evidences of COM
mercial growth and prosperity. The only
shortage | met with was labor. In some
parts of the country a great regret was
expressed that they were unable to get
sufficient labor TO pick the crops and
to carry on the manufactures as they
but of men to do the work. This is GER
tainly a healthy sign, especially as
through the west and northwest labor Is
well remUnerated.
The last congress provided for a new
division in my department, division Of
information, the purpose being to advise
immigrants and others where labor is
needed.
PowderIy in Charge.
Il selected as the chief of that division
tent on ~ hrDpa a.
minded labor men of the country Ter
renee V. POWdeTly. The bureau might
more properly be called a bureau of dis
tributiOn. In the Atlantic seaport towns,
New York. Boston and Philadelphia there
is a congestion Of Immigrants simply from
lack Of knowledge as to where work can
be found. This bureau viii address itself
to remedying. so far as a government
agency can, this condition
The Japanese Situation.
While you were on the coast, 8Ir.
Strauss did you investigate the japanese
situation p
No; I don't believe that it needs in
vestigating."
is there any truth in the report that
there is an influx Of Japanese laborers
into this country, in spite Of rigid restric-
tions?'
There is no influx of Japanese to this
country. l believe the japanese govern
ment is observing in the letetr and the
spirit the convention whereby only those
are admitted who have passports. I do
not believe that the japanese govern
mCnt Is issuing passports to those not
entitled to them"
Few From Canada.
The attention Of Mr.. Straus was called
to a press dispatch published few days
ago to the effect that d large number of
Japanese were landing at Vancouver as
Hawaiians and that many Of these are
crossing the line all along the interna-
tiouzI boundary.
That is different said Mr. Straus.
They invite Japanese immigrants into
Canada because they need labor up there
very much. The number Of these Japa-
nese crossing the line is infinitesimal.'
Taking Things Easy.
Mr. Straus and his party. which in
cludes Mrs Straus. their son and air
straus' secretary. Mr. Weed. viii leave
this evening Tor a trip through the Iei-
loYstOne national park, after which Mr..
Straus viii resume his duties in Wash
ington-
Yesterday the secretary was a guest OF
the governor for a drive, having previ-
Ously returned a call made on his arrival.
During the day number of citizens
called at the hButsfOrd to pay their re-
spects to Mr.. Straus- Among these was
Rabbi FreunG and q group of the menu
bers of the congregation B mai Birth, ia
cob MOritz and others Last evening Mr..
Straus had for caller Simon Bamberger,
with whom he talked informally for more
than an hour.
The Sort of Man.
Mr. Straus impresses one as being Just
precisely the sort of man he is-a bust
ness man. He talks calmly and weighs
every word well As he has grasped the
great affairs in the mercantile world.
So has he al once taken a comprehensive
grasp on the affairs Of the governmental
department of which he is chief. There IS
nothing pompous about Mr.. Straus. On
the contrary, he has the appearance OF
one who may feel the weight that rests
on his shoulders. but does not let the
world know it, in manner, speech or dress.
pAYMhSTER PnpPEn RY