The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-03-18

among the local mer. Of his tribe regard
ing his scheme.
The King of Hoboes is an extremely in
teresting character. an unusually intelii-
gent tramp. and although he disdains
physical labor, like all OF his class. he is
in every respect unique specimen of the
wandering tribe. According TO his own
words he is a wonderful man and known
the country over by professional tramps.
He is considered influential among his
people and considers the general anti-free
lunch agitation an issue to excite the
tramps to organize. He says he has tr.v
eled for forty years or more, making him
self familiar with nearly all the civilized
countries of the world. He has been hon
cred with many titles. such as the Won
derfui Hobo" the Wandering Thinker"
and the Philosophical Tramp" but pre-
fers his right name to any unless IL be the
King of Hoboes.'l He is a tall man. rag
gedly dressed. Worn blue jeans cover his
legs ana shaggy locks of brown hair are
lost under the greasy. upturned collar of
an alleged overcoat soiled with the CRIME
of many climes. His hands are soft.
When requested by Times reporter to
speak OF his proposed organization. the
promoter gave a careful detail of his meth
DDS and objects!
Il have made study of the social prob
lens of the lower classes for many years"
he said, as he carefully picked a Iayeliug
from his vest, and feel positive that
within a very short time our union. which
is called the Anti-IInpeTiaIists of AmeTi-
ca, will not he backed by tramps alone
l predict great strength, political and 9TH
f,, MI At. hot DC
a matter, of course. for the future to de-
termine, and in the meantime. until the
union gets its power, we must make il
sef-sustaining. Our plans. when car
ried out, will attract every professional
tramp in the country. As soon as posSi-
BILE he said Il Will bring the hoboes Of
Washington together. This Dst.i-t, by
the way, was at one time the easiest of
all towns for the tramp. but that fact
soon killed it. as far as we are concerned.
They swarmed here. banding themselves
into many small societies to exchange star
addresses. a star address. you know.
means an eFsy house to work II a bard
ing house fandlady gave to one all his
comrades would know it in the evening,
and the charitable person who assisted the
first is compelled to either help or refuse
the entire membership OF the society soon
afterward.
HOW 40 lutenl 10 raise FUNDS Tor the
support of the union2 Easy enough. I've
figured it all out. AS soon as it comes
known that number OF us are organized
tneie is not uaIHp With. nt,. - es
of here that would not come to JON us
The applicants will be charged a reason
able entrance fee. This will give us IN
pie means to rent some hall. for the mem
bership is sure to be a large one The
lodge rooms will be fixed up as CON-
fortably as possible for the convenience of
the members and midday meal of hot
soup and bread will be served. For all
this the members will be charged only 8
cents per day. Pea or bean soup can be
served with large slice OF bread at less
than . cents per bowl. Other EXPENSE,
will be comparatively light. and the gains
will be used in the furtherance OF our
plans. We have not decided as vet as To
the location of the lodge. but it will not
be far from Washington. and We expe.t to
extend our lodges TO all the large citi IS
Of the United States
The king of Hoboes" then explained
how he came to gain his title 81 was,
he said. during a national encampment
of a big military order in Denver some
ten years ago and a large number of
trampS were in the city at the time A
crowd of us had gathered one evening.
some of the oldest hoboes in the country
were present, when a big fellow named
Stewart. started the argument by declar-
ing that he was the greatest of all tramps.
Several others also claimed the distinction.
and l was among them. 1t was decided
TO take a vote on the question Each
candidate made a speech in which he told
Of his travels, the number OF great Men
he had known personally. and how fast
ne could travel without the regulation
ticket. | won ont on the vote, but Stew
art forced me to settle the contention
by racing him from Denver TO Frisco.
We were given the start at the depot,
both of US being well loaded down with
grub. Stewart made for westbound
freight and | strolled over to the round
house. A letter vas mailed at The time
we left addressed TO the King OF the
Hoboes. San Francisco The one who iirst
called at the postofice for the letter was
to be decided victor.
Learning from a yard hand the rumble:
of the engine booked to relieve the mkt
express / climbed aloaS under the loco
motives as they stood waiting over the
roundhouse tunnel When l came to the
weStbound engine |, placed a shor. hoard
between the slais u the cowcatcher and