The evening times., 1895-10-26

The semi-annual tidal wave of tramp
Is upon the city. II is a question whether
the influx this season is heavier than fol
n corresponding period of last year, but il
Is at least as heavy. 1t is upon this point
that tramp authorities differ.
The kind people. at the Central Union
MISSION told The Times last night tha,
the number OF tramps is no greater than il
usual at this season, but the police, who
are also familiar with the tramp -qucs; ion
contradict the missiOncrs. During the
past year the Information has been pa sse.i
around in the hobo fraternity that Wash
| ington is not so soft q place as IL used
TO be. Washington was once the capit al
! OF tranipdom, because it was the easiest
place in the land. Tramps say that il
used to be that even an unculturc,l tranp
could turn flop" or get a pod here,
but that now the most experienced MEM
| ber OF the profession finds difficulty in
| accomplishing this,
| Even pious tramps have to saw one
sixteenth OF II cord Of wood for break
rast, supper, or lodging. Then the
police are hostile and are prone to confuse
Il tramp with what they understand to be
Il ''yag."
COLD NIGHTS PROLIFIC.
The recent cold nights have made MANI
fest the number Of tramps here. The muni-
cipal lodging house was filled up last night
and the Central Union Mission had its hunks
ful.- None were accommodated in the pc
lice stations unless an unfavorable comment
appeared opposite their names on the sta-
tion blotter. Last season the policeman
was friend to the tramp, but ciaIins t,iat
his friendship was imposed on. Last
winter hundreds of tramps found lodgings
at the stations. The dodgers rooms of
Nos. 1. Z, 4, and were usually well
filled each night.
The tramps learned that the Municjpal
Lodging House. where it was necessary to
saw wood in order TO sleep, closed at 10
p. m- They would apply at the stations 4
at about half past ten. and the kind.
hearted officers had not the sternncss to
cast them out. Finally the policemen
learned that they We're using the stations
because they were cheaper than the lodging
house. Then they began to term tramps
.'vags."
The gentlemen of the road resented this,
and as 4 rule refuse now 10 pat -onize the
stations. The station clerks hav explicit
orders not to furnish lodgings.
FULL BY NIGHTFALL
The capacity OF the lodging louse is
about scveDty-five and Ii is filled nightly.
The menu is about what tramls like.
soup, beef, bread. coffee, and i )iatoes.
Wherever practicable the lodgeI is re-
quircd TO pay in advance by saving the I
amount of wood.
It is the same way at the Central Union !
Mission. Most OF their patrons arrive at (
Washington without reference or bag /
gage, and il is considered exceedingly good
form 10 have them saw wood in advance,
hough exceptions are made 10 This ruling.
IL is also said that these exceptions are
responsible for several small unsettled
bills a I the mission.
There is but one unusual feature about
he tramps this season and that is their
;outh. All the authorities agree on this
rhe average age OF the guests of the mis-
ion is Nv nty-scven years.
AT THE LODGING-HOUSE
A visit last night TO the l5-cent lodging
Iouses proved that they were full. Not
III the dodgers there are tramps OF course,
'ut a respectable percentage of them are
These tramps represent the successful
members of the ''perfesh." These are the
mes who by ''oS,rking a SOFT on 'the
rag were able TO turn a Hop" The
lines sought To- talk with the police about
he general characteristics of the tramps. .
ut they seemed unwilling 10 treat the
ubjcct candidly. They evinccd 4 dispo-
iton To twist their clubs somewhat Iur-
vely. They promised, or rather threat
ned. to make this the warnest winter
;hich tramps have ever experienced in
rashington. 1t is almost fatal for tramp
> apply Ia the police for lodging.