Gilbert (pop. 3,500), on the Mesabi Range of Minnesota, is a town without visible means of support. Its three iron mines are closed. Most of its employed inhabitants are on the public payroll, supported by local taxes on the closed mines. Some 175 are on WPA. The village employs another 150 as policemen, firemen, street cleaners, librarians. The school board gives jobs to 55 teachers, some 200 janitors (one for every three pupils), each of whom works three to ten days a month. The Gilbert Herald is supported by $4,000 of public printing...
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