The Detroit times., 1914-12-30
1900 ASK JOBS
FROM B. OF c.
MMITTEE
Larger Organization Planned To
Grapple With Problem OF
Unemployed
MARRIED MEN NEAR
EVICTION SINGLED OUT
Receive Consideration First
One Man Threatens To
Steal

Vast increases in the number OF un'
employed men appealing to the De
troit Board OF Commerce for jobs has
made il necessary for the committee
in charge 10 make provision for a
larger organization TO interview, reg
ister and classify the applicants. Al
noon. Tuesday. Indications were that
| 500 applications would be received
during the day This is the largest
number received since the organiza,
ton started its relief work.
Twelve Detroit factories have
sgi eed 10 give the services OF one OF
their men TO the organization work
They will begin work before the end
Of the week. One OF the first things
TO he done will be the compilation OF
a complete list OF those who have
registered. The list will give the oc
cupation. address and previous place
OF employment.
by this plan, We hope to give EN-
ployers a list OF men who formerly
worked for them and are now in need
of aid" said Charles H. Clifford, vice
president Of the Board OF Commerce
and one OF the committee In charge OF
the problem OF the unemployed. 1--WE
have received letters from several
concerns already, asking that we mott
~ them OF any applications from their
former employees. The Detroit United
Railway has advised US that II will
do its utmost TO make places for for
mer employees"
With the list of names to be sent t.
large employers will be a letter, ask
Ing them to use all possible means
to relieve the situation.
The number of men who come
here for help Is growing day by day.
said Mr.. Clifford. and II is plain that
something must be done at once. We
are providing some places for skilled
mechanics. but not nearly enough
ever for this class OF labor. Amone
common laborers, men without 9
trade. the situation is much worse
How We can take care OF even a small
percentage OF these men Is a problem
hard TO solve"
In the auditorium OF the board
where the idle men congregate each
day In their quest for work II became
necessary, Tuesday morning, to or
ganize a special department for mar
ried men who are about to be forced
out OF their homes because they have
been unable TO pay rent More than
70 men In such circumstances were
grouped In one corner OF the big hall
Work could be found for only few
"Pll steal" said former street, rail
way employee. to Mr. Clifford. 81 want
to work. can't find a place. My
wife and family are going to live,
that's all"
Mr.. Clifford personally took up the
Gaze or this man with the ID. u. R. II
developed that the man In question
had worked for the company for Ave
years, and had been discharged be.
cause he talked too much.
Investigation by Mr.. Clifford showed
that the man is Socialist OF most
radical views. He had expounded
these views among those who worked
with him.
You're the sort OF a man that
would steal" replied Clifford, when
the desperate one made the threat.
You worked for five years for one
employer. supported your family on
the wages they paid. Now you damn
them and every other employer be.
cause you are out OF work. There are
thousands OF men who are waiting pa.
tiently, and without complaint. for a
chance to go to work. They'll get out
help much sooner than one who acts
as you do