The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1900-01-10

WHICH JHcl tutdli hlph tiiiit anu ihNho
try, without increasing the menace
which their existence entails upon or
ganized society.
The above from the Oregonian states
quite clearly the case with which it deals.
Il also shows with equal clearness an.
other thing--the utter breakdown OF a
favored school Of philosophy in the face OF
one Of the problems which confront the
world today. vagrancy is "by-pro-
duct" of civilization Could anything
more iorcibly illustrate the fact that
there is something radically wrong2
Is there really no remedy for va.
grancy2 Where are our great fnanciers
and organizers and captains OF indus
try?" Why do they not come forward
with remedy Is II possible that the
human mind can evolve no plan by
which every man who is able and will
ing to work may find work to do, and
every man who is able and unwilling
may be compelled TO work.
The great obstacle to the proper hand.
ling Of the vagrancy question is the fact
that many willing and honest workmen
are compelled to be vagrants from sheer
force Of circumstances, because they
can find no work at which they can sup
port themselves.
Yes we know that "there is always
room at the top" The best workmen
can always find employment. There is
always a demand for them. Bnt what
OF the second best, or third best? What
OF the tenth best2 Shall he be treated
as criminal because the place he would
be willing to fll is filled by Il better
man2 Humanity says no! And this
is the reason that no law OF sufficient
scope TO reach the professional tramp
can be enforced.
People recognize the Inconsistency Of
a law which tells the wandering wreck
OF humanity that he must work or be
punished as acriminal, and at the same
time points out no way in which he
may find work TO do.
"Civilzation" closes the free avenues
to an independent selt-supporting ex-
istence TO certain proportion Of
humanity aud then attempts TO punish
men for not being seli-suppolting.
We all know that under modern "civ-
ilization" II is absolutely impossible for
all 10 obtain employment We know
that the markets are usually over
stocked with goods as it is. Suppose
every idle man could find employment
and go 10 work tomorrow; how long
would It be before the market would he
glutted, end lot Of men discharged
With modern machinery few men
can produce as much ms a hundred men
will consume. What then2 How can
they all find constant employment
Let our latter day wise men answer this
before they attempt TO solve the problem
OF yagrancy,
The law,says, "thou shalt not steal"
all may refrain from stealing Thou
shelf lnot killi all may refrain from
killing. A law ON the statute book,
with which il would he manitestly inn
possible for all TO comply would be a
fore.ordained dead letter.
So when the law says, "thou shalt
not be idle" yet provides no way for
the idle man 10 find work, il makes
an unreasonable demand 90 which pub
lie sentiment will not compel obedience.
Yet, for government TO provide work
Tor the idle would be paternalism, so.
'ialism or something equally horriiy-
ing.
This leaves the problem unsolyed, but
Il is very evident that's it can not much
longer remain unsolved. The class of
thinkers represented by the oregonian
should devote their whole energies TO
his question, for ii they do not find the
solution soon the masses may lose
aith in their ability 10 wisely guide the
lestinies Of mankind. Ia is a question
which intimately effects every man who
makes his living by daily, weekly or
'early wages, bat more particularly
hat great majority who arehopelessly at
he bottom OF the ladder, and can not
lnder present conditions reach place
Iboye the danger line
A solution which does not provide, at
east, that all willing workers not merely