Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-14
WILL BE MADE TO WORK.
Tramps Who Go to Chicago TO Obtain
Food.

Food.
An alarming phase OF the relief work
which has been undertaken by the city of
Chicago has developed within the past for
ty-eight hours. Since the announcement
was made that the destitute would be cared
for the number o. unemployed and home
less men ir the city has increased amaz-
ingly. 1t oeemed at first difficult to ac-
count for the sudden accessions to the
ranks OF the hungry, but the reason was
discovered yesterday.
Observation at the various railroad de-
pots and yards revealed the fact that every
freight train which entered the city brought
| with 1t a score or more of men who had
adopted this means Of reaching relief head
quarters. As events are now progressing
| it looks as though Chicago were to be called
upon to support not only her own hungry
thousands, but the destitute of the adjacent
country and the neighboring cities and
towns.
How to deal with this situation is one of
the most serious problems which confronts
the relief organizations. When the order of
caring Tor the homeless was first COM
menced the police stations sufficed to pro-
vide for all applicants. Then the number
SO increased that a few hundred We're given
| shelter in the corridors of the city hall.
From few hundred this number increased
rapidly to 1,J00. Then the churches in va
rious parts of the city were thrown open,
but there was no decrease in the number
who crowded nightly to the city hall Lodg-
ings were established, but more people than
could be accommodated went there to sleep
and to get food.
The city hall had again to be thrown
open.
Not until yesterday did the police venture
an explanation OF the increase. Inspector
Ross stationed a detail of men in the yards
of the Illinois Central Railroad Company to
watch incoming freight trains From the
empty cars OF every incoming train alight-
ed dozen to twenty men. They waited
only to find where Wabash avenue was
and started there for the place where food
wasbeing given out The same state of affairs
was found to prevail in the yards Of other
railroads and last evening Inspector Ross
reported to Chief Of Police Brennan that
hundreds of men were coming into the
city every day and the arrivals in the ag-
gregate would soon amount up into the
thousands.
The situation has become a grave one.
and the authorities hardly know how to
handle II. Chief Brennan says positively
that this invasion of paupers must be
stopped.
How to stop II is the question. II has
been suggested that officers be stationed
on the line of every railroad at the city
limits, to stop every man who is stealing a
ride on the freight trains, and turn him
back in the direction from which he came.
Another solution Of the question proposed
by the committee acting on behalf of the
city council Is that every able-bodiei man
TO whom relief is given be compelled 10
work upon the streets, and thus make some
return for what Is done for him. This II
Is thought, would result in keeping away
from the city all who are unwilling to work
and would also weed out the undeserving.
1t Is probable that this latter suggestion
viii be acted upon.