The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-03-15
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
INVESTIGATES Y. Nj. c. A.
EMPLOYMENT DEPARTMENT

A special committee Of the Chamber
Of Commerce in the city Of Washing
ton, D. c., has investigated the work
ings Of the employment department
carried on by the Y. M. G. A. of that
city, and has warmly endorsed the
plan. The committee was composed
Of William E. Shannon, D. J. Gala
han, and Thomas Grant, and it's re-
port was submitted at a meeting of
the directors and adopted by that
body. The report follows:
UTILITIES TRAINED ABILITY.
1--WE know that the only practicable
way Of helping those we educate is to
provide a way of utilizing their abdl-
ity-by employing it, by opening the
way of opportunity. Individual eff
forts along this line have been fruit
full, but the systematic, organized eff
forts Of the Y. M c. A. employment
department are bringing about results
that could not be otherwise accom-
plished which have doubled and ire
bled it's value.
''This department has gone ahead
without any flourish Of trumpets to
prove it's worth, and has succeeded.
Men seeking employment, inexperienc-
ed boys, skilled men who are crowded
out by competition in other cities, and
others who by stress Of circumstances
are forced to seek new fields Of work
are helped by this department.
RELIGION DOES NOT ENTER
Gas there seems to be an impression
that the religious affliation of the men
who apply for employment has bear
ing on the attitude of the department
in considering applications for posi-
tions, this was the first question pro-
pounded by the Investigating commit
tee during its examination of the
methods, equipment, and records OF
the bureau, and your committee are
completely satisfied that connection
with any religious organization is not
incumbent upon those who apply for
Y. M. C. A. itself necessary for men
to avail themselves Of its services
In fact, over 80 per cent. of the men
handled are not members.
ABILITY AND
HONESTY REQUIRED
Certain qualifications are required
in every applicant-character compe-
tency, and honesty. References are
carefully investigated. 1t is safe tG
say that every employer of labor Is
constantly on the lookout for men OF
skill, judgment and integrity. In this
city we have hitherto depended upon
vices of such men. 1t is the pur-
pose of the Y. NJ. G. A. employment
department to learn the needs of our
business men, and to weed out the
incompetent undesirables from the
army of applicants. It proposes TIC
supply upon demand clerks, statesmen
secretaries, managers, and others fol
whom there may be special require
ments. For this service the fee "a
small per cent. of the first week S
salary is so small as to be nominal.
TT is the opinion of the committee
that the employment department OF
the Y. M. c.. A. deserves the encour-
agement, cooperation and the I'M
qualified support Of the business men
Of Washington
This is the exact report given by
the investigating committee of de-
partmenr that was used as m0del
in starting the local Y. M. c. A. en-
ployment department. What the
Washington branch is doing, the
Bridgeport branch is doing equally
we'll. The department is open daily.
with the exception of Fridays and
Sundays, from 9 to 1 a. M, and an
investigation of the methods and re-
suits by any one interested is asked
for at any time. All those looking for
work and those looking for men to
work are asked to consult with this
department.