Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-06-12

TIE mouse = kept II clean and SAM
taTy condition. Cots are princi pa IN
used, chiefly on account of the ease
with which they eaa be removed ami
renovated.
Ia nearly every case each LOGGER is
gwen separate rcoms which is Just
large enough 70 accommodate cot ana
= chair, these comprising all the furni-
ture OF the rooms.
These rooms are kept perfectly Clean.
their wAiteW ashed wall presenting an
aspect entirely different from any
thing TO be expected OF this character.
The lodging houses are, TO = certain
extent, under police surveillance. and
hardly week goes by but some two OF
three loagers are taken out by the
police, some on warrants from other
cities. some for being implicated IN
strect.rows or on suspicion"
The patrons are generally willing 10
do light work when Il can be had, often
working until ANAL sum ls accumu-
lated. Then . large ana extended
spree 70 entered. winch usually ends
with the offender being confined TO
jail for = period of from ten 10 thirty
days.
Evils ~ the House.
The greatest evil TO be guarded
against Is the Sunday liquor trade.
Many OF the inmates have access 70
saioons that are running Sundays
under the very nose OF the police
authorities. and persist is bringing in
whisky. Thisis usually divided around
and all are liable 70 get lag" ia
which case, il they bocome noisy or
dlsorderly they are Immediately turned
over 70 the police. who are, however,
unable 70 make = case against the
saloonlst OF whom 10 purchased the
booze"
Many pathetic incidents are enacted
within the wallis of lodging house.
Cases of sickness, which are usually
taken Immediately in charge by city
authorities, cases of acute home-sick-
ness on the part OF youths who have
left home and home comforts 10 seek
their fortunes in the city, and cases Of
distress that are really worth the con-
siderations OF charity. The comedy
side of nature IL also depicted. Tramps
hold arguments on religion or
politics that often grow exceeding
ly warm. Each has bis particular
church and will argue its orthodox
superiority over all other churches.
Politics comes in for ite full share OF
discussion. Ben, Jim, Grover and Dave,
all have their hackers, and the = rgu-
ments between DIRTY Dick" and
Lazy Lonnie" often grow as hea ted as
the discussions of their brethren who
are recognized in better circles. These
tramps are exceedingly interesting talk
ers and the yarn Of travels and adven-
ture that they spin will often put in the
shade the widest tale told by the briny
sailor who infests the dock lodging
houses of the seaport cities. They
have wandered from one part of the
country tc another, nave vieited nearly
every city and town in the United
States, and have seen objects OF inter
est from the Niagara Falls TO the great
geysers Of the National park. Some are
interesting story tellers and will "fake"
yarns that would discount Vernes in the
widest flights of his imagination. Any
enterprising student of human nature
would do we'll 10 take lodging IN one of
these places aud he time would be
simply repaid. for he would be able 10
see and converse with people from q
walk in life of which he 10 probably
entirely unacquainted, and could hear
the native and unauulterAted yer.
nacular Of nearly every country of the
civilized and rnclviiized world.