New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-04-05
AUSTRIA FACES
LABOR TROUBLES
Cities Harbor Idle Army
While Farmers Ask
Aid in Vain.
GALICIAN E EMIGRATION
BREAKS ALL RECORDS
Budapest City Council Agrees to
Contribute Funds to Families
of Distressed Men.

Vienna. April 4-The Austrian govern
ment has temporarily suspended In Gait
cis the severe restrictions recently TIM
rosed against emigration. This action
has been taken owing 10 the great in
crease in unemployment. which has re.
suited in widespread restitution. Grea,
numbers both IN town and country are on
tho verge OF starvation.
The frontier sendarmeris has been IN
structed to exercise the utmost lenlency
in the examination OF the passports OF
young men intent upon reaching Amer
les, even though military service has no.
been performed. IL is estimated that the
normal emigration from Galicia has mose
than doubled this year.
Vienna. March s5.-Lahor conditions are
beginning 20 cause serious anxiety In ori-
olal and social circles in Austria Hun
gary. II is reported that there are be-
tween $4,000 and 10000 unemployed In
the cities and manufacturing centres, and
hut little prospect OF any immediate I'M
provement in the industrial situation. At
the same time the farmers are complain
ms that the country districts are almost
without male help, nearly all the able
bodied men having emigrated to Germany
or America. All attempts 10 remedy the
situation in town aud country alike have
so far proved unsuccessful.
Discomfort is increasing fast The
growing number ~ men out Of work
threatens TO lead to grave trouble. At
Budapest and Lemberg recent meetinss
Of unemployed developed into disorderly
bands which pillased provision stores and
bakeries until they We're dispersed by the
military. IL is feared that unless some
means OF relief are devised very speedily
there Will be new disorders on a still
larger scale.
In Hungary some action has already
been taken 10 help the unemployed. but
nothing has been done in Austria. AT
Budapest the city council has agreed 10
contribute funds, with the aid OF the la
Dor unions. for some systematic form
Of money payments 10 the families OF
men out Of work. The unions have agreed
20 furnish some 600 volunteer agents,
who Will make house-to-house canvass
and report to the City Council on actual
needs.
way OF helping the unemployed lies in
the unfortunate internal political dissen-
sions. Obstruction in the Imperial Par
lament in Vienna prevents the issue OF
new loans for much needed public works.
Many new public buildings are required,
the present telephone system is made
ouate. and new railroad lines are urgent
ly wanted not only in Vienna but
throughout the country, while the state
railways are deplorably short of rolling
stock and equipment The government
mas prepared plans for supplying all
these deficiencies, but can take no active
steps until Parliament approves the loans
required.
The Social Democrats are clamoring for
national insurance against unemployment.
They suggest. as a beginning that the
government should contribute funds TO
the labor unions. which already dispense
considerable sums 10 relieve members out
O. work They estimate that between five
and six hundred thousand dollars a wear
would be sufficient, but the Ministry of
Finance declares that the government has
no money available for such purpose
and can DO absolutely nothing More
over, the government takes the position
that the whole question OF insurance
against unemployment Is one for the mu-
inequalities and not for the state 10 look
after. The local authorities, OF course,
refuse 70 accept this view and demand
thst Parliament deal with the matter.