UNEMPLOYED SOLD BY AUCTION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 69, 17 April 1909, Page 3

UNEMPLOYED SOLD BY AUCTION

TEN SUICIDES. The Now York correspondent of the Daily Chronicle recently stated that during a period of twenty-four hours ten suicides had occurred among the unemployed of Chicago. The most pathetic case was that of a German and hi* wife, wanted Scholeli, who bad been out of work all the winter, and, in despair! through absolute destitution, begged a few pennies and asphyxiated themselves in their rooms by means of ehnrco;il fumes. The unemployed situation both in Chicago and New York and many other large American cities was said to be very serious, and a seeond sale of .unemployed was held at a church at Brooklyn. A prominent philanthropist. Mr. Louglilin, conducted the sale, and attempted to sell off 200 men and women selected from a large list of applicants. Some twenty were sold at prices ranging from 4s per week and board to 18s per week without board. It was n pitiful sight, as most of the unemployed who were willing to be sold in this fashion were actual workers, and some were skilled mechanics and laborers. All, however, were glad at the prospect of getting work or having a home at least to tide them over the severe winter. Those who were sold were not described under their names, but merely by numbers and profession, and their features were concealed by- masks. One man known as "No. 8, boilenuaker," was sold to a woman owning a farm in the centre of the State, who marched off with her prize after his purchase. Being a boilermaker. ho did not bring a big price, but is to have 8s a week and his keep. He declared that he could do farm work or anything else if given a chance.