Evening star., 1932-01-11
JOBLESS CAMP
PROVES SUCCESS
California Creates Housing
and Work Without Pay
for 1000 Persons.
unsc,syDisnatch to The Star.

Epeciai Dispatch to The star.
SAN FRANCISCO, January IL
California's experiment in providing idle
men with constructive work minus
wages to tide them through the winter
without being dependent upon charity
Is working out splendidly, according to
Rexford S. Black, secretary Of the Call
fornia Forest Protective Association and
one Of three members Of the Governor
Executive Committee in charge OF the
undertaking.
Sixteen camps, well scattered from
Humboldt County in the north 10 San
Diego County in the south, are now
being operated, housing close to 2,ooo
men, About 700 men were taken 10
the camps from various sections OF the
State last week, and addluonal camps
will be opened as necessary 10 taKe care
of new arrivals. The influx OF ltineranCS
from other States has dropped 4loiii
TO 1886 daily to $40.
The camps are located where the men
ran he EMPLOYED building trails and
forest roads and otherwise aiding pro-
lection of forests and watersheds. AT
tendance at the camp is entirely vol
untarv, and only the able-bodied Wiling
to work are admitted. At little expense
10 the State or local communities ample
fare is provided: the men occupy rougn
housing that is available, sometimes
after considerable repair work. Equip
ment is provided from many sources, IN
Guiding the forest services, contracting
firms, Army, Navy and National Guard
Impressed With Personnel.
"T have been much impressed Mr..
Black stated. with the type of men in
fhe camps. There are college graduates,
many high school graduates. men OF
fine character and habits. The person
mel even includes two former Army
cantains, men who faced the Winter
without resources and are happy 10 oe
able To work in the open for board ana
lodging until things pick up.
"There have been absolutely no dis
t,Irbances. and no annoyances 10 rancn-
ers or other residents of the camp nelgh-
borhoods. There Immediately developed
a fine spirit of fellowship and Will
inRness to help each other. on re"
occasions camp residents have oeen aoIe
to earn a few dollars through an un-
expected opportunity. The lew ooiialS
have gone at once into the camp kitty
for the benefit of all Any disputes
that have come up have been settled
bv the men themselves in their 'kanga-
roo courts. And the State has been
receiving more work than it would from
paid employees"
Organized Mainly for Transients.
The camps were organized particular
" to take care of out of State unem-
nloved. thousands of whom have fiockeo
to California this Winter. Local com
munities were in position 10 AID tneir
own idle but were not able TO proVloe
charity for incomers. The State through
the labor camps undertook this task,
promising out-of-State visitors food ana
shelter only in case they Woulo "orA
for it.
The camps are well supplied with
equipment, but are in need OF more
clothes, particularly work snoes, under
wear. overalls and heavy shirts, to sup
plv which donations are depended on.
The recent heavy storms held up the
work of the men in the camps AND
kept out new arrivals for while, out
recruits are again entering the camps,
none of which is under snow.
Copyright, 1922