Denver labor bulletin., 1915-02-27
Caring for the Migratory Workers
Meeting the Problem in Denver
Statement Prepared for Inc Bulletin
By REV. l. A. HUNDRED
Secretary of City Division Charity and Correction

Much of the worlds work is seasonal.
Within our own state we have the beet
industry, canning interests, railroad con-
struction, irrigation, fruit orchards,
wheat harvests, melon and potato fields
which afford large class OF laboring
men employment during certain months
of the wear. The farmer is the best ex-
ample of the seasonal worker. He has a
full cycle of short time tasks. The
spring plowing and seeding is followed
by early haymaking, and this by wheat
harvest. fruit gathering, corn husking,
and then winter logging and wood cut
ting. If farm labor were unionized, he
would have to employ half dozen
skilled artisans to get him through the
wear. lust as he would have to employ
n half dozen skilled mechanics if he
were to build new residence. l be-
lieve in the principles of union labor. 1t
is the worlds protest against the slave
wage But labor unions have not COW
cred the whole field. Over against their
solidarity of workingmen, we have an
unorganized majority who move in an
open market. and barter their muscular
strength for food. shelter and clothing.
They sell themselves to keep body and
soul together, and must seek new fields
when for any reason the old is closed.
Four results grow out of this condition;
First. the men deteriorate. and are less
and less fitted to do the casual work
that comes to them. Second. they are
placed at the mercy OF the commercial
employment agent. the sub-contractor,
and the camp boss, who exploit their
helplessness and reduce them to con-
dition in which the problem of living be-
comes the burden unbearable. Third,
they loosen family ties. and shirk do
nestle responsibilities. Fourth, they be-
come anti i-social, and hold the state re-
sponsible for their condition and demand
to be kept at public expense during sea
sons OF unemployment.
These men have the public ear. nation
al. state. and local, and must be heard;
and some system must be devised by
which their industrial injustices will be
ameliorated This much we owe to them
in the name of our common humanity.
Denver's Problem of Unemployment.
About December /. word was brought
to me that the migratory workers. head
ed by the /. W. Ws. would make a
demonstration in Denver on New Years
day The day came. and so did the
League of the Unemployed" They Wis
tied the municipal lodging house and
made their demands and threats They
called upon the Chamber of Commerce
and suggested lines OF assistance. Two
hundred were fed at the lodging house
and at restaurant that evening" The
following day they asked hearing be-
fore the city commissioners. There they
suggested their program. First. that the
city should rent them building. fur
nish it with sleeping accommodations,
and equip it with kitchen and com
missary-make it comfortable and sani-
tary Second. issue them an open per-
init to solicit provisions. clothing and
money from our merchants and citizens
Ito be taken to their headquarters for
use. Third, open some kind of public
work and give the men three hours
work day at union wages to supple
ment what they would be able to gather
from the citizens. They claim that Port
land, Ore. had put up this same program
last year with great credit to all con-
cerned. In return for what the city
would do. they promised to keep the
place clean. patrol it. and take care of
themselves until they could disperse To
their work in the spring. The commit
tee. composed of J. W. VS.. did not de-
this was about the only course that they
would accept and be responsible Tor the
good behavior of the men. The program
was not accepted by the commissioners.
They decided that as these men were IN
the city without friends, funds. or EN-
ployment, that they were self-confessed
dependents and as such should lie re-
ferred to the charity department for
care.
Furnished Two Meals a Day.
Two floors of building were rented
on Fifteenth street, near Market. and
furnished with stoves. electric lights
meager laundry facilities. and benches
for seats There the men We're Sheltered
kept from suffering cold. Cots were
not allowed because of the increased fire
hazard. The men have been fed at the
lodging house. For breakfast. they get
six-inch bowl of oatmeal. with milk
sweetened. a pint cup Of coffee. and
bread. For dinner. they. got quart
bowl of soup or stew, with meat and
vegetable stock. coffee and bread They
are not denied second helping The
registration takes place in the charity
office. Each man is given a number
Questions are asked covering nationality,
time in the city period OF unemploy-
mcnt. amount OF money in possession at
the end of employment season, amount
of money sent TO their families Turing
the summer, social state. and total earn
ings during 1914. A ticket is issued to
those deemed entitled to shelter and
meals The ticket is usually limited to
n few days or a week The committee
from the hall co-operated with the char
ity secretary, in handling the situation.
The Arithmetic of the Problem.
During the first six weeks, l,G75 num-
bers were given out, but only $50 regis
tered. Fully 95 per cent of these were
single men, and had been in Denver less
than month before they applied to our
office for their care. They Impressed