The morning call., 1893-12-19
:. PIN.kERTON'S MEN.
Used as Guards Against
Tramps.
SOUTHERN PACIFIC POLICY.
Explanation of a Recent Visit of
the Chief.
BIG DELEGATION FROM OREGON.
Tramps Assured a Pleasant Trip by
the Chief of Police of Portland.
General News.
BIG DELEGATION FROM OREGON.

being made the dumping-ground for all of
the great army Of tramps. buns and un-
emp}oved men from the surrounding coup-
try,. Portland's Chief of Police. at least.
has taken The initiative in making the
Journey for this class of travellers to this
city as pleasant as his official position and
Influence can make ii, as will appear from
his action mentioned further along in this
article.
Yesterday General Superintendent Fill
n ore of the Southern Pacific received
telegram from Ashland, Or, stating that
pa tramps had started from that city in
the morning, bound for San Francisco.
! his body of men organized themselves
in Portland last Wednesday, aud from
total of siXty-eght persons at that time
has already made acquisitions along the
line until il now plumbers over 200 and by
the time it reaches this city it Will Or ba-
bly.have assumed more formidable proper
.tlops
The manner in which the Chief of Police
gave his official aid to these men in en-
-deavoring 10 make the journey as pleasant
as Il ssible is left to the Oregonian to tell:
"With many thanks the party left, and
then organized party OF siXty-eight men,
bers. This was done about O'Clock last
night, and at 8 o'clock the two called on
Chief of Police Hunt and explained their
wants. You seem TO be an honest fellow
and I will assist you.' remarked the Chief,
after some questioning. And with that he
telegraphed TO the Marshals of all towns
along the Southern Pacific that sixty-eight
idle men had left for California and to
treat them kindly. Learning that none of
the party had any money except what was
necessary TO buy food, and that they in-
tended 10 cross tie MadisOn-street bridge
to reach Albina, the Chief called on the
superintendent Of the railway bridge and
got them passes across. The captain and
his lieutenant talked for over An hour
with the Chief and reporters and unfolded
their plans"
- The manner in which the party was
organized was described at length, and the
pathetic march of the delegation bound
for San Francisco is thus set forth: True
10 his promise Captain Beary ranged his
men in line at 10 O'Clock. Officers Snow
and kerrigan took position in the front
rank and Officer Parker brought up in the
rear. The youngest man in line was IS
and the Oldest 55 Every civilized nation
and every class and condition of people
were represented. Some of the men were
dressed neatly; others were in tatters.
Some looked as if they had experienced a
famine; their features bore traces of suf-
ferlng; tkaY were depressed in spirits,
VII hers were gay. Some had large
fFcm which a rafting sound
ssLedydenoting that they were not over
: flowing with clothing; others had few
blankets several had their belongings
:: tiP1in handkerchlefs, and one sported an
: h$ahTelta. Lieutenant Macarthur was
:, overfePcing with animal spirits. lie
= walIZed froR one end Of the line to the
= other and cheered up the men. Some one
,sugges ted that Dutch Billy had shirt and
two handkerchies in his ponderOus valise.
"'WhatP calculated Macarthur, Two
shirts aud handkerchief? Oh, the dude J
The order to march was given, and Cap,
tain Beary offered his arm to crippled
old man. Not drum was heard as the
party moved down the street and silently
crossed the bridge 10 an Oregon driZzle.
They remained at the Albna yards until
the train pulled out. Some sought shelter
under sheds until the train was made up,
when one or two open bOxcars were found.
and most of them crowded inside, while
few kept company with the brakemen. At
o'clock the train left and they are now
bound sonth."
The Oregonian goes On to state that the
men were granted Tree transportation over
the Southern Pacific road, but a letter to
the head officials Of the road in this city
frolG a subordinate officer in Portland
directly refutes this statement. The letter
says:
:: ''1he Chief of Police was considerably
to blame for what has happened, as he
really arranged for the men to cross over
the bridge and to have them c0rralled at
the East Portland yard. He claimed to
have understood from the men that they
had arranged with US for free transporta-
.,tiGn, which, of course, was very foolish.
o. They had deputation in the office In the
morning, and were denied transportation.
but pOssib spread around the Tumor that
: they would be taken.
- From the information coming TO US from
Oregon City during the day had reason
10 believe that an attempt would be made
10 board the overland train, and al
e eli, h ~ hoI hoop ha
expressing the expectation Of the railroad
that he would preserve order and prevent
#the men from going, and notifying him
that the company would hold the county
responsible for any damage done property,
1T was thought best TO place some Pinker-
: ion men on the train. which were Joined by
the United States Marshal.
= .NhiI the men had all agreed to be
g transported back to Portland, yet at an
:earfy morning hour they jumped freight
( 90. except about fifteen. who, l understand.
were men of low grade. looking like
opium fiends; the remainder of the men
seemed to be decent-looking people with
few exceptions, and while there were
threats made of taking revenge and getting
even with the company If they were not
taken, no riotous act was committed at
: Oregon City, After the men had agreed
to return to Portland we did not look out
for our freight train and they boarded it and
;. are now on the way south. There are so
many tramps on the road that 1t is thought
,tHe. crowd will materially increase before
: il rea che3 California.
"1'hs was the first time that any crowd
has attempted to board a freight train out
of East Portland. We are looking out for
: a re petition, yet. as rule, they usually
board the trains four or FIVE miles out Of
the city, increasing in numbers the further
: they GO, the road being strewn with them"
; 1t is pretty definitely understood that the
Southern Pacific officials have determined
to take decided steps toward preventing
= this free travel, which has of late assumed
enormous proportions, and is not only
great burden but in reality interferes with
the business OF the road.
From the action of the Portland officers
of. the road it it pretty clearly demon
+. strated what the line IF action will be, and
that 1t is 10 employ the services of the
: PinkertoD agency as a means of pro-
tectien.
In this connection the late visit of Will
liam PlDkerton to this city will likely prove
: TO: have strong bearing on the solution of
the problem which c0nfroDts the COM
.pany. 1t is said that while he was 10 this
city be had several interviews with leading