The Hartford republican. (Hartford, Ky.) 18??-1926, 1921-09-16
AUCTION men OFF
WHO ARE OUT OF WORK
Boston Is Scene OF Queer
Stunts; Pastor Handles
Gavel-Sells Quick

Boston, sept S.-JODleSS men were
placed on the auction block on Bos-
ton Common today. Stripped to the
waist, after the custom of the old
slave auctions, they declared their
willingness to work by standing be-
fore a crowd of thousands, offering
their services to the highest bidder.
"Shorn lambs of unemployment"
their auctioneer. Urban Ledoux, call
ed them.
Ledoux, a philanthropic worker
who rec ntly opened the Nshurch of
the unemployed, in the West End.
led a group of so to the common to
bring home, he said, to the people
of Boston their stories of human mis-
cry. just as William Lloyd Carlson
pleaded for the slaves on the same
spot 40 years ago. II was to prove
that his charges were not parasitic
floaters. but instead. good citizens
out of job, that he put some of them
on the block, he explained.
Lcdoux's efforts to get work for his
men were not rewarded. OF the three
who stood up for bids, none went
away to a job although from the
crowd came pledges to help tide them
over a week or two while they sought
employment. Their leader said. how
yer. that he considered he had sue
ceedcd in bringing their plight and
the hon sly of their purpose to pub
lie attention and he announced that
the auction was to be a daily event,
TO be continued at least for the re-
mainGer of the month.
Ledoux and his men, box lunches in
hand, came to the common from
West End headquarters. where he
has fed hundreds in the last week.
While they munched their sand
witches he called for volunteers to
stand at auction prepared to work for
week for the highest bidders. Eight
men stepped out, two OF them world
war veterans, most of them in cloth
ing that was frayed and shoes we'll
down AZ 'ho heels. Each was asked
how long he had been out of work
and without food and shelter.
Hadn't Worked For Year.
One man had not worked for a
year. while another had eaten only
twice a week in six months of unem-
ployment.
James Ferris, 25 years of age, an
outstanding man who said he had
served four years in the army. was
called to the block on the steps of the
Park Memorial bandstand. He strip
ped to the waist and while Ledoux
directed. went thru the army calls
themes to show the extent OF his
muscular achievement, Bids were
called for.
This is one of the men that you
used during the war. What will you
do with him now? How much will
you bid for this mans services for a
week in order that he may have food
and shelter?" the auctioneer asked.
Bids were made, bat when they were
called those who had made them had
slipped away. Ferris was then de-
clared to be without bidder.
A dog was brought to the block. He
was knocked down for So with the
condition, accepted by the successful
bidder. that he be returned to the
Church of the unemployed" as its
mascot.
Joseph Mitchell, negro, was then
called. His shoes were without soles
and his clothing was ragged. Replying
to Ledoux's questions he said he had |
been without food for days at time /
in the six months he had been out of
a job.
There was no bid for his services ,
and the auctioneer called IN the /
crowd to pledge him food and shell
ter for a week. Mrs. Annie Jack
son responded and went the auctio-
neer one better by saying she would
be responsible for Mitchells susten-
ance for a second week if necessary.
John Farley of Dorchester, wearing
a G. A. r. button, added a dollar; an
other man promised a suit of clothes
and a second man passed LedOux a 50
bill to buy some beans for the boys"
William Davis, boy of 10 years,
out of a job for year, was offered
to the crowd as one willing to work.
He said he had kept himself going
for a time on $500 that he had saw
ed but had reached the end of his
rope and was hungry yesterday. He
was promised a home for a week by
Mrs. j. IL. Granninger and the man
who promised the clothing to Mitchell
gave SO to Davis. ,
With no bids for the three men set :
up. Ledoux suspended his auction, an !
nouncing that it would be repeated