The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1909-02-27
CITIES ARE NO PLACE
FOR THE UNEMPLOYED
Relief and Employment 0rganiza-
tion Heads Meet Labor CON-
missioner McEwen.
Rural Life the Only Relief for
Congestion Of Unemployed in
the Larger Cities.

ST. PAUL, Feb. 25-That there are
10000 unemployed men in Minneapolis,
st. Paul and Duluth; that there is
but little work for them in the large
cities; and that the best means of
affording them relief is to find en-
ployment for them in the rural dis
tricts, ar the findings and conclusions
of the heads of various charitable re-
lief and employment organizations
which met recently at the state capitol
st. Paul, with Labor Commissioner
Those present included the managers
of the free employment bureaus Of
the state located in tine three cites,
representatives of the Salvation army
employment bureaus, and officers of
the charitable And relief organizations
of the Twin Cities.
The unemployed were roughly esti-
mated as follows: In Duluth, 1000; ST.
Paul, $500, and Minneapolis, 4,5OO
James Walsh, manager Of the Du-
lutn state employment bureau, be-
lieved the situation there would be
much relieved if the railroads would
patronize the free employment bureau,
instead of those charging a fee. He
explained that when laborer had
spent all mis- money, it was Of no use
for him to go to fee employment
| office, for he couldn't get Job with
out paying at least 81. For this
reason, he considered the fee employ
ment Offices one of the greatest means
Of creating city "bums'' and loafers.
Louis Levy, in charge Of the Min
neapolis state employment office, sug-
gested that some steps be taken to
get the railroads to furnish either
free transportation or reduced rates to
men who wanted to go to certain
points to accept work. He estimated
| that from to 10 a. m. each day,
$50 to 300 men apply to his Mime
apolis office for work. He thought
there would be little relief until
March, when the spring farm work
opens.
Would Cut Wage Scale.
S. w. Wiley of the Minneapolis Y.
M. c. A., suggested that if labor or
ganizations could be persuaded to re-
duce wage scales in the season of
| the year when work is slack, that en-
ployers could afford to give work to
more men. This suggestion seemed
fmpracticable, however, as labor un-
ions, it is said, would refuse to listen
to such suggestions. A commission
was suggested, to investigate the sub
ject of the unemployed, but Mr.. Nc
Even reminded them that this would
have to be created by the legislature,
and that he had no power to estab-
lish a state board for such an in
| vestigation.
C.. M. Stocking of the Minneapolis
Union City mission, though that liquor
was at the bottom Of the troubles
of most of the unemployed. David
Morgan, who manages the st. Paul
Bethel, took exception to this, stating
! td1at in many years Of experience with
! the laboring classes and unfortunate
men, he only knew of five cases Of
men who's misfortunes were attribut-
able to the fact that they were
| habitual drunkards. Mr.. Levy of the
! Minneapolis state bureau, spoke in the
same line, stating that out Of some
10000 men who had entered his office.
but half dozen Of them had appeared
under the influence Of liquor.
After the adjournment Of the meet
ing, Mr.. McEwen stated that from
statements made, he believed that
there was little hope Of getting en-
ployment for the unemployed in the
cities; that he intended to make a
campaign Of publicity in papers
throughout the state, asking farmers
who want help at any price to send
in their requests. These requests Mr.
McEwenu Intends to tabulate, and to
send out men as fast as possible to
relieve the congestion Of the unem
ployed In the large centers Of popu-
lation.