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

among the local men Of his tribe regard
ing his scheme.
The King OF Hoboes is an extremely in
teresting character. an unusually intelli-
gent tramp, and although he disdains
physical labor, like all OF his class, he Is
in every respect a 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 tray
eled for forty years or more, making him
self familiar with nearly all the civilized
countries of the woTld. He has been hon
Ored with many titles, such as the Won
derful Hobo" the Wandering Thinker"
and the Philosophical Tramp" but pre-
fers his right name to any unless IL be the
King Of Hoboes.' He is a tall man, rag
gedly dressed. Worn blue jeans cover his
Iegs 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 Iaveliug
from his vest, and feel positive that
within a very short time our union. which
is called the Anti-ImpeTialsts OF AmeIi-
ca will not be backed by tramps alone.
| predict great strength. political and 9th
erwise, for this organization. Bat that IS
a matter. Of course for the future to de-
termine and in the meantime. until the
union gets its power, we must make IL
seIf-sustaiuing. 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 DisLi-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 eGSy house to work II ard
ing house iandlady gave to one an 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 10 lLteub TO raise IANuS TOT the
support of the union? Easy enough. I've
figured il all out. As soon as it b cones
known that a number OF us are organized
tucIe is not a clamp With. H.. - IS
of here that would not come to JON us
The applicants will be charged a reason
able entrance fee. This Wiu give US M
pie means to rent some hall. for the mem
borship Is sure to be a large one The
lodge rooms will be fixed up as ,on-
fortably as possible for the convenience Of
the members and a midday meal Of hot
soup and bread will be served For all
this the members will be charged only
cents per day. Pea or bean soup can be
served with a large slice Of bread at less
than cents per bowl. Other expenses
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 il viii not
be far from Washington and We exre to
extend our lodges to all the large cities
Of the United States"
The King of Hoboes" then explained
how ne came to gain his title. II 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 | was among them. 1t was decided
10 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. I won ont on the vote. but Stew
art forced NE 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 pGstoflice for the letter vas
to be decided victor.
Learning from a yard hand the number
OF the engine booked To relieve the next
express / climbed along under the l1c8-
motives as they stood waiting over the
7oundhouss. tunnel. When / came 10 tho
westbound engine 1 placed shor' hoard
between the slals q the cowcatcher and