The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1908-08-01
Alleged Scarcity Is a Mere Pre-
text to Conceal the True
Conditions,
ENOUGH MEN AVAILABLE
FOR HARVESTING WORK
Railroads Have Much Lower
Scale Of Wages This Year
Than Formerly.

T..
business connected with his office. He
very kindly accorded labor World re-
porter an interview upon questions
pertaining to industrial conditions IN
the Northwest.
Mr.. Williams does not rely for his
Information upon newspaper reports
or upon circulars issued by interested
parties with a view to creating con-
gested market, and placing labor at
the mercy Of low wage employers. he
gets his Information at first hands.
His departmet is in constant touch
with conditions as they are and as
shown by reports based upon close
observation of the facts. His office
has !. live-wire connections with all
points, and therefore his conclusions
can be accepted as absolutely correct.
Wages on Railroads.
Speaking of railroad conditions the
commissioner said Il am persuaded
that the alleged scarcity. Of men for
railroad work has no foundation in
fact. There is probably not the great
throng Of former years rushing to the
railroads; because the wages offered
Is not commensurate with living ex
penses. The roads this year pay $3.50
per day at the same line Of work for
which they paid $2.26 last year. The
price OF, board and cost of living gen
orally is;yif anything, higher: than last
year, and for that reason the ,laboring
classes are not falling over themselves
in repairing to positions Of work that
barely afford them subsistence. with
out thought of lost time through in
S~l~
tudes. Let. the roads pay. living wages
and there will be found an abundance
Of men to supply the demand without
any foreign in1portations whatsoever"
Factories and Mills.x,.z Z
with respect to factories and mills.
= I-aHs thoroughly cuaxersant~withssla labor
conditions therein throughout the en-
tire Northwest" said the commits
sioner, "and they are as follows: While
there has been perhaps no material
reduction in wages, there have been
great reductions in the numbers Of
men employed, resulting in consequent
limitations of output This itself has
operated. as a great disturbing factor
in the labor market. - It is. not for
me to say what motives actuate the
employers Of labor, in resorting to
such methods on the eve of a presi-
Dental election. Suffice 1T to say. that
such methods are not In my Judgment
justified by financial or industrial con-
ditions. The. motives must therefore
be political, and the further inference
is clearly discerned In the opening
paragraphs of what purports to be
Taft's letter of acceptance as, an
nounced In this mornings associated
press dispatches. You can draw your
own conclusions, Mr.. Reporter, I have
other and more important questions to
consider"
The Harvest Help.
What about harvest help? inquired
the reporter. Mr.. Williams replied:
my office is in communication with
the county auditors Of practically ev-
cry agricultural county, not only in
this state, but In the Dakotas as well,
employment in these sections, to har-
vest all the crops in an amply ade-
quate manner, without importing a
single laborer from any other state or
country. Why. said Mr. Williams, I'm
addition to nearly thirty thousand
men now out Of employment we have
In the three cities Of st. Paul. Mime
apolis and Duluth, over ten thousand
high school boys over Is years Of age
to whom a few weeks experience in
the harvest fields would be Of meal
culable benefit both mentally and
physically. Believing that one should
practice: what he preaches.' have sent
my own boy into the harvest field.
that he may from actual experience
learn Of the trials and tribulations
successes and reverses, Of the men
who are the bone and sinew of our
nation. Good, useful, healthy men and
women are not the products Of any
hot house philosophy Of life. -,
Impressions Of Duluth,
AT the risk OF trespassing too much
upon your time, Mr.. Williams" oueried
our reporter, Il would much appreciate
an Outline Of your impressions Of .D1ui:-
luth.nes s
Il ntver stop at mere Impressions. 81
SAID ~. Williams. Before L state
definite conclusions, I make it a point
to know FOR certain whereof I affirm,
With ,respect to Duluth I want to say:
hrst,s thai the subordinates Of NV de-
partn1ent> in charge of the free labor
bureau 'he;e.. Mr.: James Walsh and his
assistant, Miss Pearl Ettinger. are not
excelled. In faithfulnegs and efficiency
by ltks officers. anywhere. Through
their 1deyotfn to duty the, bureau i.
being placed upon a plane Of useful
ness. "a that u a credit to your city
.sscond, with regard to labor condi-
tions generalE. I am glad ITO note tina.
they: are tmosl hopeful and encouraE;-
inE:g Indeed, eluluth is noted for Tie
progreasiye Character, Of. its citizens
YOU show it In all your undertakings
The rest OF the state are proud 81. YOU
NotWithstand dinA tho 81 tneas 81 ath,e
Twin M Cities, Minnesota without ita