Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1900-03-03
as 1 have described from the problem of the
mh3-s&w3t,42


unemployed. They are not representative
unemployed men in-the sense in which the
honest wnrkingman occasionally becomes
an out-of-work. but they are typically
stake men," and believe that this class
constitutes much larger proportion of all
who are without employment in the United
States than the public has been led 10 be-
neVe. They are willing to work when they
feel in the mood and the positions offered
them are attractive, but they are equally
willing to give up positions when the mood
to wander and loaf comes upon them.
Can the Railroads Solve the Problem.
Their obvious love of travelling and the
temptation which the railroads now offer
them make it clear to me that the first
thing to be done is to render this easy and
gratuitous transit impossible. On certain
railroad lines west Of Pittsburg, thanks to
a well organized railroad police force, this
Is already accomplished, and towns which
were formerly visited in droves by these
rovers now rid Of their presence as we'll
as that of the professional tramp. What
one railroad company can do others can
achieve also, and it is my firm conviction
that when all the railroads agree on con-
certed action in this matter a great many
gay cats will decide that amateur tramp
ing has lost its charm for them. 1t has to
be admitted that some have played with
nsmping so long that they can never settle
down to serious work again, and they will
probably continue to wander about on the
turnpkes after they have been driven off
the railroads; but the loss of their railroad
privileges will have a very different effect
on the younger members of the profess
sion,'' who will decide, in all probability
that steady work Is better than walking the
highroads.
For those who continue to take up with
casual employment only and persist in puZ-
zling the public in regard to their real con-
dition and intentions. 1 can recommend
nothing better than labor colonies. or test
warehouses, where experienced observers
hall do -lafh h. how r.
oppressed and neglected out-of- works that
they claim 10 be. The Arbeiter- Kolonien of
Germany afford good model for such in
situations in America In the German col
ony any man who voluntarily presents him.
self at the gates and asks for admission is
taken in if room can be made for him. and
he is required To remain in the colony at
least month. At the end of this time he
can go or stay. he wishes, but it has gen.
orally sutficed to convince the authorities
of any honest desire for work, and they
find a place for each applicant sooner or
later, if they are convinced that he is a
genuine seeker of labor.
Enough Work for All.
There is one more suggestion which I can
not forbear making. and that is that SYM
pathy for the unemployed should be found
ed on an intelligent appreciation of their
actual condition. 1t is not true that every
man is deserving of belief who says: Il
have looked for work everywhere and
found none In his particular trade he
may have failed to secure employment, but |
l am absolutely convinced that there is |
enough work in the country to busy every
able-bodied person in it who is prepared to |
take any kind of work that he can get, in
side or outside of his trade. During the |
past year, while sojourning among the |
gay cats opportunities to work came to |
me almost every week, and my compa Mons |
might also have secured at least temporary
positions quite frequently. The trouble \
with them was. however, that they would !
work only on particular occasions and at |
particular tasks. and, naturally, there were |
times when they were hungry and home |
less.
Public opinion and charity must not fail 1
to take these facts into due consideration, |
If the real object in view is not only the re- |
lief of misfortune. but also to rid society of |
imposters and loafers.