The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-03-06
THE "UNEMPLoYEp" PROBLEM

THE UNEMPLOYED" PROBLEM
A news item in the Eastern papers,
evidently inspired by the press agent
Of the information bureau Of the De-
partment Of Commerce and Labor;
says that many thousand aliens who
are living in the congested centers
Of the country and in need Of work
are deprived of obtaining renumera-
tive employment, while from many
other parts the cry comes for eff
cient help. The laborer Is unable to
answer because he has not the means
to go to the work.
This is the serious situation which
is confronting OFFICIALS OF the inform
alton bureau Of the department 6f
commerce and labor.
It was stated that within the last
ten weeks. fully $1,000 laborers could
nave been sent out to different parts
Of the country if they had had the
means to travel.
One suggestion is that some funds
be set aside by congress for use in
transporting layborers from one place
to another, with the understanding
that those who receive this aid shall
return it when able to do So
Labor leaders in the east are quiet
ly Investigating this matter to ascer-
tain whether or not there was any
thing in the charge that the federal
government, through the department
of commerce and labor was becoming
d vast employment bureau and tool
in the hands Of the manufa cturers
association to break strikes and lad
just" labor troubles in different Sec
tons of the country.
Items have appeared in the press
from time to time with Washington
date lines that lead to the belief that
such is the case. The Information
bureau proposes to run an employ
ment annex, keeping posted on where
men are needed and where men can
be secured. The latest move is to
ask congress for an appropriation to
pay the expenses of men out of work
to those sections where they are
wanted.
Note the use of the word "alien"
in this connection. This leads US to
inquire why the alien should be
favored. Are there no native born
citizens out Of work and willing to
be transported at government expense
to new and good Jobs? Or would
the native born workman Or the union
man refuse to be part OF a flying
squadron shipped to another point to
fill vacancies caused by labor
troubles? The government NH 1n'arn
troubles? It seems the government
Is absolutely in control Of the monied
and employing class. The various de-
partments and their appropriations
are controlled by Aldrich and Cannon,
and it is very unlikely that these
gentlemen or their subordinates would
refuse to send the necessary men
(altens of course) to break or adjust
labor trouble wherever it occurred.
At a recent conference in Washing
ton between the government officials
and labor representatives to consider
ways and means to aid the unem-
ployed, President Gompers remarked
that the government was quick to re-
lieve the italian earthquake sufferers,
and seemed anxious to find work for
the alien and the immigrant, but that
when American labor sought relief it
was given no consideration.
John Mitchell, former president of
the United Mine workers, discussed
the subject Of immigration ana said
that too often the Immigrant who
arrived yesterday was given work,
while the man who had spent his
life in this country walked the streets
| in enforced idleness,