The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-19
HELPING MEN ID FIND EMPLOYMENT New Work Undertaken By New
 York Capitalists GOOD RESULTS ARE SHOWN During Experimental Period of Few Months Wages Have Shown
 Increase of Fifteen
 Cents Day.
GOOD RESULTS ARE SHOWN

New York; September 1S.-(Special.)- The Survey publishes today a report covering the first three months work of the National Employment Exchange.
 One striking feature is the statement that wages have advanced 15 cents day during that period, and that today 1t is difficult to fill orders for men. The re- port is written by Otto T. Barnard, presi- dent of the New York Trust company who is president of the Exchange.
 The enterprise is the first of it's kind in the United States and its operations are being watched with interest by economists and business men throughout the country. The venture gives promise of duplicating the remarkable success of the City and Suburban Homes company and the Proyi- dent Loan society, which it strongly re- sembles in it's philanthropic organ ization and its sound business manage ment. The Exchange was instituted last winter. following Investigations made by Edward T. Devine into state, philan- thropic and commercial employment agen- cies in New England and throughout the middle west. MT. Bannards report reads
 "The National Employment Exchange, incorporated under the laws of the state of New York under the leadership ol Jacob H. Schiff and the Russell Sage foun- dalton with Robert w. De Forests gui- dance, opened It's first office for manual labor at IA State street, on Battery park, New York city. about the middle of March 1s0s with s1Oo,0oO subscription paid in. For the first three active months, June, July and August, the manager, Edward W. Carpenter reports that up to August H he had obtained work for 71S men who accepted employment, result which com- pares favorably with the first six months of the United States Government Agency in New York city. At the outset, labor was so abundant that fees could not be exacted from the employers. but during this short time 8 complete reversal of the situation has occurred. Today, it is difficult to fill the orders for men, and any able bodied laborers can be placed readily. Hereafter, employers will be charged for each man accepted. No regis tration fee has been exacted of anyone at this office. Wages have advanced about 15 cents a day during the period in ques- tion, and 1t Is an interesting fact that men prefer the longer hours with private employers at the larger daily compensa- tion than employment for eight hours on state contracts at the wages per hour which yields a trif1e less per day. For example, there are instances where men prefer to work ten hours at $l50 per day, rather than eight hours on the canal work at IS cents an hour or M A per day. The business of this Exchange is now extending to skilled laborers for which many orders are being received. Our experience has been disappointing in the number of men professing to want work. and failing at the last moment to report for duty. In some cases we have lost small sums advanced for provisions and railroad fares, and many continue at the employment obtained by us and neglect to remit to us our small fee. Nevertheless, although far from self supporting at the outset, as was to be expected, we are content with having been helpful to many men and having already learned some Of the vagaries of this new occupation, new so far as we are concerned. We are ob- taining the confidence of employers and men, and honest dealing and business methods will establish our name in time.
 Of the total of 71S actually supplied and accepted, 537 were day laborers, 46 carpen- ters' helpers, and 93 skilled and unskilled mechanics, watchmen and miscellaneous workmen As to nationalities, 320 of the 71S were Poles 63 were Russians and 60 Swedes'
 The trustees are Otto T. Barnard. George Blumenthal Frederick G. Bourne, Robert w. De Forest, Francis l.. Hine. V. Everit Macy, John R. Mac Arthur, Jacob H. Schiff and Paul M Warburg. At the meeting of the board held Septem- Der 1S 1909 a subcommittee was appoint ed to consider the opening of general bureau uptown.