New-York tribune., 1899-02-11

JOSIAH FLINT TELLS OF THE YOUNG PEOPLE
AMONG THE TRAMPs. AND SAYS THE RAIL
WAYS ARE THE sI.UM HEADoUARTERS
Students Of educational and sociological problems
were loud IN the expression OF their appreciation Of
the programme offered yesterday afternoon by the
Public Education Association. at it's rooms. No. 70
West Forty-fourth-st.
The meeting was called order promptly az
O'Clock by the president. Mrs. Schuyler Van Rens-
selaer who spoke briefly OF the work Of the Tornbs
School. and then introduced Mrs. Willard Parker,
chairman OF the Finance Committee Mrs. Parker re-
ported conditions as encouraging but said that only
S325 had thus far beer subscribed toward the $500
needed for the annual support OF the school. She
stated that this school. unlike others was kept
open all the year around. the need for II being
especially urgent In the hot weather otherwise
the boys would have TO be kept in their cells
Mr Willard who has charge Of the school spoke
next Dean Hodges" he said. "of Cambridge. de-
clared the great problem Of the present day to be
how 70 make Indifferent different II Is not
so al the Tonbs School. where the boys not
normal. and therefore do things that never be
predicated in advance person can form no idea
Of what these boys are going to do at any time.
But II there are failures there also sue
cesses in our work 70 make up-such as the kind
ness and cooperation OF the Warden the work OF
Mrs Foster and the gifts % good literature and
clothing for the boys"
And are the boys gratefui-do they appreciate
IT," interrupted Mrs. Porter.
We'll" said MI Willard gratitude is usually
developed only IN the highest walks of life, and
you could hardly expect It here"
Before introducing the next speaker, Mrs. Foster
Mrs. Van Rensselaer, suggested that Mr.. Willard
had forgotten 70 mention the work he had done ID
behalf Of cleanliness. Before Mr. Willard came
she said. the boys had nothing but spigot o.
cold water to wash IN. and they were forbidden 70
splash the floor. He got the authorities 10 open
tho bathroom. and now each boy has soap and q
washrag also"
Mrs Foster modestly told Of her own work
rosntlon Of which was made in The Tribune OF
Yesterday and expressed her thanks 20 the Judges
and lawyers who had co-operated with her IN her
Frank Willard. better known by his literary
name "Josiah Flint" spoke. He has Just returned
lary % boys among the ranps IN ms , cC-Ii' -
The RAILWAYS he said. the greatest Sums We
have. There is no place else where so Lnsis, n1sny
tranDs and criminals abound. me ramp PrO-5s
sion grew I'D after the civil War They began by
walking but the turnpikes were haro 70 travel 80
they took the railroad tracks ana rom ~,t.Ais
% rtdiug was but a step The watering tanks. ne
said are the hObOes' stations. and mere lhey mar
he acquaintance % boys. fascnaie them with
r1srs"-their name for boxcars-and thus take 20
Themselves assistants whose duty Il - thenceIorlh
food. tobacco and money for lodgings This ap-
0ran+iceehiD lass until boy Is sixteen or seven
teen years old. when he goes TO weterinsI I'1KI '1iIKI
gets his boy and then rests on HE oars A5Neu
to venture a opinion as 70 the nurnOer ol noD.+s
whom ne defines az discouraged ~ -ne
Tinted States Nr. Willard replied. mere are ~
least sixty thousand. OF whom seven thousand are
~ -ns question. DO you think they be re-
zen and hfteen wears stands good chance OF pelng
benefited by truant schools: but there IS no hope
'O T he close Of he meeting tea and sociability
prevailed.