Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-10-05
Wandering Willie Is Paying His
Annual Visit to- This City.
ON His WAY FROM THE CHILLY NORTH
Police Are on the Lookout for
Tramp Visitors.
THEY MUST SAW WOOD

unwelcome visitors, the tramps, are on the
move in this direction. They are headed
for the sunny SOUTH as rule where FROST
bitten toes and ears are not expected. even
in winter, and where a night in the pines
will not mean suffering and possible death.
In the north the frost and snow have
appeared, and the tramps who have been
on the road any length of time are hasten
ing southwark. Already many of them
have appeared. Some have been forced
to stop and do few days work for the
District, while others have gone on and
embraced the opportunity to visit the
neighboring settlement known as Jackson
City on their way south. That tramps
enjoy the races and can make themselves
comfortable about the track and stables
no one will question, for the average
tramp nov adays is nothing more nor less
than a man of the stripe Of many race
horse followers. They are known in police
circles as ''bum tramps," and not few
Of them manage to get along by stealing
as well as by begging and living at NUM-
cipal and charitable institutions. 1t is a
rare occurrence to see one of the old-time
tramps carrying pack which contains all
his earthly possessions, including bed and
cooking utensils, and if such a one is seen
he seldon!s makes application to any of the
local institutions for assistance. With
him the weather conditions are not Of
great Importance, for his bedding is ample
and he can spend cold, stormy night In
the woods.
Not Bothered With baggage.
But with these so-called bum tramps"
it is different. They carry nothing other
than what is on their backs and. usually.
there is very little of that. They beg a
garment or two and sell them for LIQUOR
and then secure bed and board at some
public or private institution free of charge.
AS there is such thing as wearing out
their welcome, SO to speak, they will
spend a few cents for lodgings once in
while and deprive themselves of that much
liquor.
These men the police denounce as the
worst of the tramp element and the most
dangerous to society. Not only will they
beg. but many of them will steal, and be-
cause Of their nomadlc habits it is next to
impossible to capture them.
Although it is yet early in the season
some men of this class have shown them
selves here, and it is the Intention Of the
police to arrest many of them as pos
sible Last winter the tranaps gave the po-
lice considerable trouble. In addition to
preying upon the charitable public and de-
privins the city's poor OF portion of what
was contributed for them they kept the
workhouse well filled during the severe
weather, and at times it appeared as il the
present building would not accommodate
those sent down by the court
Ine IaVOFlIe resorts IOF the trampS are
all in existence this year as last. The Bal
timore and Ohio sand house. where hun
dreds of them found warm resting places,
is still there although it Is being well
guarded On the Potomac flats will I'M
doubtedly be constructed the rude shacks
such as were built and occupied last win
ter. Then there are the railroad freight
yards. But all these places are being
that the travellers will not Ind it an easy
task to remain here long and md free ac-
commodations. There are some honest
workingmen on their way to places where
they hope to better their condition, and
who are obliged to seek temporary homes
in public Institutions. Such men.
rule. singled out and given better treat
ment. and occasionally they are furnished
transportation when they want to leave.
They Must Saw Wood.
Since the establishment of the municipal
lodging house and wood yard the police
stations do not accommodate SO many
tramps, and the tramps are well aware of
this fact. Before this tramp house was
opened and a similar place was started in
connection with the Central Union Mission
the police stations lodged all the temporary
visitors. They were not permitted, how
ever, to remain at one station more than
three nights. In this way they were Ger
tain of twenty-seven nights lodging at the
trouble getting places to fill out the month.
Now all applicants at the police stations
are referred to Superintendent Dunn of the
municipal lodging house. Upon entering
this institution they are required to perform
work and comply with certain rules.
Posted on the door and in the office are
copies of the rules. which are as follows:
First. The house will be open from 6 a. m.
to 10 pm.
Second. Breakfast served from 8 to Q
am; dinner served from to pm. only.
Third. No person under the influence of
liquor will be admitted.
Fourth. No drinking, smoking or swear
ing will be allowed on the premises.
Fifth. All applicants admitted will be re-
CURED to saw one-sixteenth cord of wood or
to do equivalent work for each meal or lodg-
ing.
Sixth. All persons having stayed one
night and wishing further accommodations
are required to be in not later than 4:30 p. m.
Seventh. No person may remain longer
than three days.
Eighth. All meals for Sunday must be