Tonopah daily bonanza. [volume] (Tonopah, Nev.) 1906-1929, 1912-05-01
OUR IDLE CLASSES.

In the United States we are now facing not
only labor problems but problems created by vol
untary idleness ON the part of those who should
be engaged in some gainful undertaking. In any
city in this land stranger from Europe is always
impressed with number of men and boys upon
the streets during the ordinary hours of labor.
This is equally true of cities like New York Salt
Lake and San Francisco The figures for New
York are very hard to arrive at, owing to the
size and peculiarities of its population, but in
Salt Lake City reports disclose that 40
per cent of the male population is not engaged
in any employment or business that yields v-
ing These men, the police would say, have no
visible means of support
Germany the contrary, not only gives her
young practical training in the important
trades, but compels them to work after they leave
school. The government controls 100 employment
offices in that country through which 100000
position filled each year. If work can be
found for man by this means he must avail
himself of it suffer the consequences. If a
German squanders his wages in any form of dis
SpatiOn or extravaganza and his family suffers,
he be declared fit subject for guardianship
BY a police magistrate. He will then be forced
to work five and half days every week and
his wages will 90 to his family during the term
of his sentence. In order to be sure that he is
sober and able 10 90 to work on Monday, the
magistrate generally orders him to be locked up
from Saturday noon until Monday morning. This
strenuous treatment makes the German father look
after the wants of his family
No one living in New York. says the Com
mercial doubt the statement that at least
% per cent of the male population not
steadily employed and large part of these have
no desire for steady work The crowds on the
street seem always to be in a hurry; but if any
thing happens TO attract attention; if fakeT
shows new puzzle; if large stone is being
hoiSted to the top of a high building the street
at once becomes ehoked with men who stand and
watch until the police have to club them away
These men cannot he employed by others or be
engaged III any important business of their own
or they could not waste time in this way. Those
who have good memories for faces will recognize
in such crowds the people day after day
week after week
Our public school system is not developing the
right sort Of young men. \ boy Of IA or Is be-
comes unwilling to 90 to school any longer and
often seeks some light employment as a messen
ger or otherwise spends two three years in
picking mp tips. and the slang and evils ways
of the streets and then finds himself at an age
when he should be earning mans pay ITe
cannot do man work because he has never
been taught trade engaged in work while
Younger which would train his muscles to heavy
labor. He becomes corner loafer who lives OF
the earnings of others of his family perhaps an
aged father or mother. until that means fail him
Then he joins the ranks Of the criminals and in
many eases spends large part Of his after
life behind the bars in the states prisons Of m,
country
In the opinion Of German authorities every
hoy should 20 to school until about sixteen year,
Of age. After that he should either be appren
ticed ~ leara skilled trade or he should M
tend college 10 III himself for one Of the learned
professions he prefers or as the means ~ hi,
parents permit Under no conditions should !
boy Of this critical age b. allowed 90 spend hour,
on the streets # the large eies every day al hi,
ite. even i he should b. actually employed II
some light work that would take him there The
danger !, much wFeater IN this country than il i
ii Germany where habits If thrift are general
snd where Il i considered 10 BE- q disgrace nai
e. know bow t. ia something ~ sersiee a. The
lefsan aud a. the community