The herald., 1894-12-24
ON THE TRAMP PROBLEM.
AN IDEA MODELLED AFTER THE
BAVARIAN SYSTEM.
Make the Tramps Work whether They
Want TO or Not, but Pay
Them for II.

provement OF the streets OF the city
could be drawn from the Bavariar
system Of handling unemployed labor
ing men," said DR.. ]. Horsch to . re-
porter OF THE HERALD yesterday. DR..
Horsch was for some time on the clinical
staff OF a hospital in Berlin. and has
seen the practical workings of the tramp
colonies Of Southern Bavaria, where the
idea OF tramp colonies originated.
1.-The solution OF the tramp question
and the amelioration OF the condition oil
the public streets Of the city are two
burning questions in Los Angeles at
] present. The development of the city
and its advancement 80 health resort
and refuge for Weather-b -bea'en easterners
will bs guaged BY the beauty of the city
and the prosperity OF its people.
LOS Angeles at present must be
prejudiced in the eyes of the people on
account Of the condition of the streets
around the depota and elsewhere. and
later on account of the number OF
tramps and boggars.
II believe it possible to keep the
tramp employed and upon the public
streets. 1t is done in Bavaria with
grand success. A man who cannot show
to the authorities there a piece of paper
testifying to the fact that he has worked
within the previous eight days is ar
rested and taken to the colony whore he
works a month. receiving wages but not
until the month is up.
II believe it possible to keep the
tramps, regardless OF their mum Der and
regardless of their we'll known propen.
sity for change OF climate. at work upon
the streets of this city with profit to
themselves and the public as we'll.
The tramp should be put to work at
an occu patton and under circu instances
suitable to him. He should receive the
necessaries of life and small wage.
The habits and characteristics of the
tramp should be studied. The work
should not require any skill nor any
tools. The work should be done by
gangs of laborers, and the work should
and can eaaly he made conaenial for the
tranp-strange as it may eeem at first.
That is the Bavarian method.
'Lst the city select some place in the
hills surrounding the city. Select a
place where the material can be OBJ
tanned for paving the streets that is
the rock. Have colony established at
the place and portion of the trsmps
co'ntahtly 0tupiOJ GU III thhiuk out inc
rock.
Near bv may be a place where an
other force can be put to work crushing
the rock by hand. Each man has his
snare Of the work to do and no more.
and all receive the came stipend. A
third gang does the laying OF the pave
meDt. For each party competent
overseer is appointed. and under
h 10 hirprfinp tho 10 dono
Give the workmen three meals a
day, pay them regularly ana use them
kindly. and in time they will under.
stand that they are on level with any
other laborers. and will be able to care
for themselves. The main idea, you
see, is that the men must work, whether
they care to or not, but they are not
misused. Many will come voluntarily
and with others force will have to be
used. but q system OF credits for good
behavior and industry will soon make
them reorganize the fact that the best
way to do 10 to be honest and in
dustrioue.
Il know this method ia succeeding in
nearly every part of Europe and
should like to see it tried here"
NEW ERA LABOR EXCHANGE.
A committee OF this organization has
hn appointm with the council Mon-
day morning to devise means to obtain
land and necessaries to MAKE a start
toward giving work to the unem ploy ed
The exchange will meet at the New Era
church, ccrner Sixth and Broadway. to.
day at 10 a. IN, to discuss the objects
for which the association was formed.
All parties interested are invited to be
present. This organization was formed
especially to furnish work to all vino
may wish it, whether they ore mem bers
or not, aud is the only association that
has taken any decisive steps towards
solving the problem Of work for the
une ployed.