Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1919-02-14
LABOR BUREAU, NEED
OF EVERY COUNTY
Commissioner Of Labor Cites
Conditions and Need of Or
CARNATIONS to Arrange EN-
ployment for Idle Men.

NJ. J. Kerr. federal labor commission
er of Idaho, cites the necessity of or
ganizing labor bureau in every coun-
ty in Idaho to look after the needs Of
the unemployed. He especially men
tons conditions in North Idaho, where
many men are out of employment be-
cause of a shutting down of the mines
and the ceasing Of activities in lumber
camps.
The fact that the mine owners of
the north evidently have found it nee
essary to close down number of their
mines in that locality is very unfor-
tunate thing" Mr.. Kerr said, as it
will throw out of employment a very
large number of men who are abso-
lutely dependent upon their daily wage
FOR support. l have not been able to
ascertain the real conditions at that
point or how long it is probable these
mines will be shut down, but it is evil
dent there are many who will not have
means of support to tide them over I'M
til the mines resume operation. Just
what can be done with these men in
the meantime is a problem. No doubt
many of them are men without fami
lies and IL they have taken care of
their wages as they should have done
will be able to take care of themselves,
but it is very probable that men with
families have very little, il any, sur
plus laid away beyond the necessary
upkeep Of their families up to this time.
TENSE SITUATION.
"The strikes in Seattle and in Butte
and the general unsettled labor con-
ditions make it all the more embar-
RAISING. There is but little activity III
the lumber camps, due to the lack, no
doubt, of an immediate market for
their product. 1t is hoped at least with
the opening up Of the springtime there
will be changed condition and that
matters will be so adjusted that these
relieve the situation.
In a general way throughout the
state conditions are very favorable. So
far as we have been able to ascertain
and from reports we have received from
the various counties in the state the
soldier boy are being taken care of and
employment is being found for those
who are in need of the same.
Under plan outlined by the de-
partment of labor and the national
council of defense there should be
labor bureau in each county with a
manager and maintain an office as n
clearing house for labor, where the en-
ploye and employer could list their
wants. This plan of instructions has
been sent out to all the county coun-
ellis of defense, asking that they should
proceed to organize in accordance with
the plan set forth. A number of the
counties have reported as having Or
ganized these bureaus, while others
have not. II this plan is followed the
labor situation can be taken care Of
through the cooperation of the agri-
cultural agents, farm bureaus and la
Dor bureaus, working hand in hand and
those who can possibly provide en-
ployment and those who are in need Of
employment, listing their needs through
these bureaus connected up with the
u. S. employment service.
LEARN OWN NEEDS.
Each county should determine its
needs, the roads which are to be built,
and the most opportune time to do
that work, to utilize all our man power
that employment may be made con-
tinuous for those who are in need of
the same. Provision should be made
for roadbuilding as much as possible
during the period between cropping
and haying season. l urge the neces-
sity for cooperation that the county
councils of defense and the board of
county commissioners unite In their
efrofts to bring about the conditions We
would like to have, that those who are
in need Of employment will be pro-
vided with the same. To do this there
must be manifest on the part of the
people willingness to help in every
way possible. Idaho has resources
sufficient. if properly utilized, to give
support to her people and many others.
while we think of the great struggle
of the past and count the cost in lives
and treasure we must now look to the
present and the future and contemplate
the many things yet to be done. 70
the end that the great victory of the
past may not have been in vain, our
work is not yet completed. May we
continue the good work so well done in,
the past to the end that everything
will be done to take care not only Of
our soldier boys but all others who are
in need OF employment, to the end that
there may be none left in distress for