Depression in America.

Manawatu Standard, Volume IX, Issue 107, 10 April 1885, Page 4

Depression m America.

BAXTER'S

A telegram from St. Louis (Mo.), dated January 4, says :— "Never m the history of St. Louis have the citizens of the city been confronted with the problem which now stares them m the face. The commercial crashes of the last six months, followed by the closing down of the manufactories, have thrown about 20,000 men out of employment. Of this number it is estimated that S,OOO are to-day entirely destitute, and the problem of furnishing food and clothing for tl is army is now agitating the municipal departmeuts and the various charitable organisations. The latter are totally inadequate for the work cut out. Their rooms are swarmed day and r.ight with thousands of poor, helpless creatures actually starving and begging for bread. The police stations are besieged for shelter, and every night for two weeks past have accommod? • ted 2,000 men. Appeal after appeal has been made to the public, and the result is that a great deal has been contributed, but not half enough to stem the stream of poverty that is flowing through the streets of the city. Police stations have been made general distribution places for supplies. Every morning when the thermometer is often at zero, a pathetic picture is pre n ented at the stations. From all points of the compass the starved, ragged, and abandoned swarm, begging fbr a day's supplies. Flour, bread, and clothing are given out, and then they retreat to their hovels, where they remain till next morning. Every day the ranks of the destitute are increased until the army becomes so large that a few enterprising citizens have taken the problem m hand and are successfully trying to .solve it. The Sanitary Aid Association was organised. The scheme of this organisation is to collect £3 from the property-owners and tenants of every block m the central portion of the city, and then use the money m giving employment to the destitute. The employment will consist m thoroughly cleaning the streets and sewers, and , bettering the sanitary condition of the city. 50,000 dollars is the sum hoped to be raised. Half of the amount is already m the hands of the Committee, and it is probable that thousands of unemployed laborers will be put to work scon. St Louis which claims to be one of the first manufacturing cities, is sorely stricken by the depression now prevalent m business circles, and if the scheme above outlined miscarry lives will only be saved by legislation."