The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-10-18
TO USE POST FFlCE
f. !. FOR LABOR BUREAUS
Continued From Psxe l..

..-.s .0s Continued EI0m rage L.
offices in the larger. cities will be
designated as central labor ex-
changes" for specified districts"
which Will include all the third and
fourth-class postoffices within a
given radius j "
Workers seeking positions may file
with their local postmaster an appli-
cation on a prescribed form, stating
position desired. qualifications and ex-
perience. Employers in need Of work.
ers may file statements showing posi-
tons open. If at the end of "a hours
workers application has not Sc
cured him a position in the local
labor market" his application is to
be forwarded to the central labor ex-
change for his district and there post
ed and sent out to all the postoffices
in that district.
Provides Wide Circulation.
If at the end of week he is still
out of employment, his application
goes to a still larger zone or depart
ment" and from there after a speci-
fled time to the national laborr ex-
change, which under the plan pro-
posed, would publish weekly or
monthly bulletin Showing all apple
ants for position an all positions
open.
The effect of this scheme gives an
automatically widening field to the
worker and the employer in which
to secure or fill a position.
Any proposed bill on this subject
Is sure to contain provision barring
from the use of the exchange any
person, firm or rcorporation against
whom employees are striking. or
where a strike vote is being taken
preparatory to a strike. Thus the ex-
breaking agency.
Cost Little to Operate.
The service would cost nothing to
it's beneficiaries The expense would
be surprisingly small, according to
those who have studied the question.
In the local country postoffice, for
instance, the three o rrfour applica-
tons a day which the postmaster
might receive could be handled by
him in the ordinary course of his
work. In larger postoffices, this
work might require the services Of a
special clerk. In private agencies the
applicant must frequently pay fee to
register, varying from 81 to IS and
cent Of the first years salary, to the
agency.
To Deter White Slavery.
Another important feature of such
a system would be it's effect on the
white slave traffic. For instance
a country girl desiring employment
in the city, insteaed Of trusting to
chance, as she does now, and per-
haps being without employment for
several weeks or Notwithstanding
the object of white slavers-would
known before leaving home where
her employment was to be, her salary
and the character Of the work. Be.
sides this, white slavers who attempt.
ed to use the service would face two
penalties-the penalty under the
Mann act, and also a penalty for US.
ing the mails for improper purposes
It. will readily, be seen also how
this proposed labor exchange could
be used for the purpose, Of enforcing
state and national laws regulating and
! safeguarding the employment il
workers. The federal department
could refuse the use Of the service tc
! employers convicted of violations OF
ordinances prescribing fire escapes
and protection Of dangerous machin-
cry.
The proposed bill will go in either
at the present session or If not com.
pleted In time at the session" which
opens in December