New-York tribune., 1908-04-12
LABOR DISTRIBUTION.

The cruIity Of the American industrial sys-
TEN At points has again been made unpleasantly
evident by the trouble which the State Of New
Jersey and the Standard Oil Company are hav-
ing with the nordes OF Polish and Italian labor
ers who have descended upon the oil renneries
at Linden. We venture 70 say. that the half
humorous. half tragic situation now prevailing
near Elizabeth could not be duplicated in any
other civilized country. except peradventure as
the result of a stupendous, cruel practical joke.
Although no help is needed at the refneries
over seven hundred Poles-men. women, chill
dren and gage-suddenly appeared in the
neighborhood some weeks ago and camped out.
A few days ago similar band Of Italians hove
in sight and went into spring quarters out on
the open fields. According to reports, most of
the nomads came from distant points, some Of
them hailing from Chicago. Naturally. two
large parties OF idle peasants, incapable of
talking with each other and both disappointed
over the lack Of work. soon passed from sur-
ness 10 open hostilities. ending in a pitched
battle with the sheriF's posse finally appearing
third combatant.
The fracas Itself should not distract anybody
from the far more serious aspect of the episode,
namely. the ridiculous system Of distributing
labor which is here wildly eXPmplitiPd. All
over The country farmers and other rural en-
poyeTs are clamoring for workingmen, skilled
and unskilied. Good wages and perma nent posi-
tons are freely promised. but in vain. At the
same time over one thousand European labor
ers. the majority OF whom are probably famii-
lar with agricultural work suddenly flock
around the plant of n great corporation without
being called and without the faintest chance
of securing work. Although assured In the
strongest terms that no help is wanted there,
they doggedly settle down with the evident re-
solve 70 wait until the plant needs their ser
vices
Are these hapess tOilers incurably stupid.
that they behave thus Or have they an
unspeakable Ioathing for farm work? Neither
explanation fits. They are acting consistently
with their knowledge of the American scheme
of labor distribution They are well acquainted
with the employment agents Of fifty or more
large corporations who always seek them out
when wanted and pay them fairly well as long
as their jobs last. How a willing laborer
speaking little or no English can find work
anywhere else save in the factories and Stops
Of these few great concerns the Poles and
Italians do not know. No solicitous gent
guides them 10 the farmer. tho rural highway
commissioner or the village liveryman. And
so. with the instinct Of a traveller in a strange
land. the unfortunate creatures flock 10 the
familiar buildings and offices of the oil COM
panies. the railroads. the steel corporations and
al the others which take pains 10 secure work
ers in q thorough, rational manner. As long
as small employers continue TO seek help in
their present haphazard style the idle will
cougregate at the great centres Of industry and
population. where they have always found
work without effort in the past Now that
their old friends, the corporation agents, have
momentarily ceased beckoning to them. pub
lie policy demands wider scheme of labor
distribution, less dependent for it's efficiency
upon the huctuating needs Of a few huge in
stitutions.