The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1897-12-19
THE TRAMP IN GERMANY.

Chicago Record.
At the close OF the Franco Prussian
war Germany was declared tn worst tramp
afflicted country in the world and 1t was
estimated that within its territory 100000
men and boys were living as yagaho1ds.
begging from town TO town ard from house
to house, and often terrorizing the rural
communities. The cost of that army OF
tramps in aims and food WAS computed
at SIS 600 900 annually. Today the tramp.
as We know him. in many parts Of Ger
many is virtually unknown, and few beg
CARS or peddlers are seen on streets or
highways, except manned or deformed per
sens, who. under certain conditions. are
allowed to sell matches or other small
wares on the streets Indscrimnaie Civ
ing OF aims or food Is not prlctlced
Twenty Ave years ago when the German
tramp nuisance was worst some leading
philanthiorsts of the father.and got their
heads together to plan for its abatement.
Soon they began the establishment OF what
are known as aid stations or work colonies.
and the success of their plan was 80 great
that in August. 1896, the official reports
showed in existence twenty nine colonies
and 1907 staticgs Shelter houses Cor home
inns) had been m existence for years waen
tn Sc men began their work, but arraag2
ments were made by which they became
coworkers in the solution OF the tramp
problem. and row Az of these homes. with
i600O beds and business capital OF 49,"
0O0 900 marks, work together with the
stations and colonies.
Beginning their work, the friends OF
the scheme, which had proved 80 success
full. organized local antib ggary soai tbs
the members of which pasl a small fes
annually into the general treasury and
agreed to give nothing 10 besgars apply
iag at their doors. Each society STAMPS
its name on a small metal disk and gives
this to each nous holder rfpresentsd IN
its membership, VINO faetens Il 70 his front
door The aght OF this is a sign TO any
/ beggar that he VIII get nothing at that
place. and that his case will be referred to
the socicty's Office, where 1t will b. In
vcstiEatfd before anything more Is dons.
TIE society has 1s aid station near the
principal entrance OF the town. and then
/ by few hours work tbs applicant Ter
/ aims or food can secure ticket which
/ gets him foo1 and lodging at the ian Tor
4 lodging house), = he can no: be providf
| for thus at the station. II Is assumed that
1 the wanderer viii earn his food an ] loig!Dg
by a half days work, After a night's rest
and the necessary meals at the i'm ffIer-
b.rge zur Heimath). he IS provided with
! ticket Oh which are written his name,
| age. Birthplace and the way he Intends
| TO 20 In search G, work n he wand rs
/ far from that route he Is liable to arrest
i by the first rural policeman vhc~e terri
| tory re enters. II he arrives at the next
/ station not later than O'Clock In the
| afternoon he receives his dinner his after
! noon work. supper bed and next morning
/ breakfast. with a new cad, that viii pa =
him on to the next station. II he desires
| II he cqn seek for work along the way
! and still reach his destinst'on by o'clock.
/ I, he reaches his Destination later than
| that hour he must care for himself over
! right. unless he has some good excuse
for his >latenTas
The aid station ard The inn aim ch'ery
at the temporary care ard relief Of the
unemployed ard the vagabord. the work
colozlcs seek to provide relief more
permanent. The applicant at th}se rlsc !
nay stay for months and some OF them