The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-08-06
CONVENTION OF HOBBS"
Arrangements for Il Gathering at an
Iowa Town shortly.

Iowa Town Shortly.
When Coxey's much rid!culed army
marched on Washington, It was hardly
thought that a convention of "hobos'
would be made an annual feature, or that
Its presence would be solicited by leading
citizens Of any town on earth.
But that has come to pass. Britt, To-.
Is the confessed suppliant at the high
tf1one Of the Tourists uniOn," as the
hobo organization Is termed, and the
town. a typical Iowa community, where
three railroads intersect, will during the
coming month be visited for a day by
from 1.50O to 1000 Of the nomads who
make the life of the freight brakeman at
certain seasons a dubious career Of argus
eyed watchfulness.
Britt has only about 1880 people, may
be 2GOO, when the residents are all home
and counted, but is a hustling town. and
one OF the hustlers there is T. A. Potter,
general manager OF the Western Electric
company, with headquarters at Britt
The hobos held their annual meeting a
year ago al a little town in Indiana, and,
In spite of the depredations that might
have been feared from the attendance of
such an army Of itinerants, there was
really less crime in the town than on the
ordinary visit of travelling circus to
rural community. Indeed, the only crime
traced to the delegatlon-and this ought
to make the young men who write alleged
humor and draw alleged cartoons about
tramp life hang their heads In shame
was the larceny of a wash tub.
Weary Wraggles absconding with a
wash tub is vision to blast forever the
traditions of the pictorial profession,
Mr.. Porter did not see why 1t would
not help Britt. figuring as is no doubt
right, that a host of people with money
rvfn int In q
motley collection of those who haven't
cash. as will be gathered there.
The fair grounds have been prepared
for the reception of the actual delegates,
each of whom must bring an oyster can,
or its equivalent in the tin likeness, out
of which to eat or drink, as he wills, the
free soup which will be served by the
citizens committee to the distinguished
guests of the community.
The call has been sent to the four cor
ners of the country through the medium
of the Associated Press, and Charles F.
Noe, of Syracuse, Ill, who Is the presi-
dent Of the wayfarers' organization. al
though he has quit wayfaring himself
and settled down to run a paper, pre-
diets an attendance of from 5000 to 5000
neopie when the convention opens, Aug.
%.
Britt IS on the main line of the Mime
aDolis &c st. Louis between Albert Lea
and Des Moines, and Is also reached by
the Chicago, Milwaukee & st. Paul road,
so it is easy of access.
When Mr.. Potter first advanced to a
few friends the idea of inviting the way
farers TO Britt. he was told he would
make himself the most cordially disliked
man In Iowa, but since then the practical
benefits Of the gathering as an advertise
ment, II for nothing else, have appealed
to his townsmen, and the movement for
the entertainment Of the Tourists club"
Is q cordial one. Among his lieutenants
in the movement are w. E. Bradford. one
of the leading attorneys in Northern
Iowa, and G. G. Way, secretary of the
company with which Mr. Potter IS con-
nected. It will cost $500 to entertain the
crowd. including the dinner, the business
session at the fair grounds and the dance
IN the evening. The hobos must leave the
town by 10 a. m. the next day, which is
Aug. q.
In order that Britt might entertain the
Tourists union. II was necessary to or
Ratlize local. union. each member paying
70 cents for membership card ana
badge. There are no annual dues.
In fact. the walking delegate was sent
TO instruct the Britt union, with d!rec-
tons to the local lodge that he was not
allowed more than 40 cents per day for
expenses. Of which % cents was to be for
eating. 20 cents for a drink, and cents
for cigar. Any tourist IS eligible who
VIII promise to shirk rather than work.
No business or profession is barred. The
card Of the association. in fact espe-
cially invites actors printers and society
tramps. so that William Waldorf Astor
Is eligible as Weary Wraggles. The
badge bears a link and pin, symbolic of
the bumpers, where the pioneer members
OF the organization have ridden SO often,
- SDRCi9l W ha int
from all parts Of Northern Iowa for the
hOl0os' convention