New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-05-05


! for machinery. But in these processes there Is
:, great loss of energy; only small percentage OF
the latent force in coal can be developed by the
best steam engine This waste OF energy an
| noyed Mr. Decker, and he determined to turn his
efforts in IA direction where il could be avoided
Naturally, the first thing he did was to look about
for the greatest available reservoir OF stOred-up
energy lie found this in the American able
bodied tramp. The fact that the tramp never on
any occasion shows any energy was, OF
course in Mr.. Dcckcr's favor, all OF the latent
force in him remained to be extracted and put to
commercial Use. or course the idea that first
occurred TO Mr.. Decker to treat the tramp as
coal is treated and produce steam with him. but
the great loss of energy In this process soon caused
him to alb lndon the notion. lie then determined
to utilize the tramp directly by mechanical means.
This plan would also have the additional advan-
tage of preserving the tramp alive for future
political and social purposes The result was the
Decker trampomotor
The trampomotor consists essentially of set
Of front door steps of from ten to twelve steps.
They resemble any ordinary steps leading up to
high stoop, but are, in fact, constructed on the
principle of trcadmill, and really consist OF
twenty or twcnty-feur steps, and revolve around
shafts at the top and bottom, one half of the
steps constantly ascending at the back and out
Of sight while the other half in front desccnds.
Mr. Decker usually bated the trampomotor with
his grandmother. Her practice was to sit on the
stoop wearing a most benevolent and motherly
expression, which never failed to attract tramp
if he came within sight. Approaching and making
his wants known, the old lady would invite him
to come up the steps and get something to eat.
The steps would he locked, but when the way
H.. La. IL
utilize was about half way up, she would touch
a spring which would release them and cause
the subject to begin sinking back toward the
street. At the same time the mat at the foot OF
the steps would turn and dozen pitch
fork tines and three four old army bayOnets
would spring up and stand at an angle OF fifty
degrees, pointing directly toward the vagrant
As II consequence he would continue to rush up
the stairs at furious rate, although. of course,
he never got any nearer the top. \ belt under
the stoop from the top shaft transferred the power
thus developed TO the rear Of the building, where
Mr.. Decker carried on a prosperous wooden-ware
and wagon-spoke factory. One tramp would last
from three to six hours. and when he showed
signs of collapse. Mrs Decker (who had been
calmly knitting the mOantnc) would touch
other spring which would lock the steps and
turn down the ptchfork tines and bayonets, and
allow the tramp TO roll to the sidewalk. The local
authorities would then carry him to the station
house in patrol wagon, where he would he fined
$40 for vagrancy. The motor has seldom been
without tramps, owing to the charitable aspect
Of the old gentewOman, and careful calcula-
ton by Mr. Decker showed that fraction over
"a per cent Of the latent force in tramp is
brought out and turned 10 practical account by
the motor IL should he noted also, as Mr.
Decker never tired Of pointing out that the
tramp remains practically as good as before use,
and after he has work1l ont his fine on the village
sonc-pile may I've again utilized in some other town
il he once more he aIlurcd up the steps
II is the lives Of such men as Seth Decker
which should furnish the true inspiration for our
youth. II is such men that make America truly |
great. and Decker's untimely departure is a
national loss