The Tucson citizen., 1902-12-01
BAKING
low!


least inclined to earn his bread. Ere
quently the most serious problem with
the farmers Of the middle west is that
of securing enough help to save their
crops. Last year in Manitoba the
farmers offered the tramps, who
swarmed that section of country, any
price they would demand if they would
assist during the harvest, but money
would not tempt them. Finally the
authorities became so exasperated
that they. had every tramp arrested on
sight, and gave him his choice Of
working for the farmers for good
wages or going to the penitentiary
and doing hard work for his board
and lodging. None have been more
quick to see the absurdity of the
"can' -find-a-job' story than the
tramps themselves, SO that today only
those who are slow or unintiated use
| it; the rest are temporarily out of
employment" or suffering from some
/ particular form of the "bad luck
malady.
2. The hobo is also inclined toward
criminality. Whatever may be said
! concerning many of the speculations
and conclusions of Josiah Flint, who
is now professor in one of our east
ern universities. it must be conceded
by all fair-minded people that the
years of actual tramp experience
which he had, both in this country
and in Europe, must have yielded him
a vast amount of knowledge about
this class. In his book, "Tramping
and Tramps," Mr. Flint says that
many tramps are discouraged Grim
inals-men whose careers of crime
have been interrupted by so many or
such long periods of imprisonment
that at last their nerve fails them, or
that they conclude that the proportion
Of loss to profit is too large to justify
their continuance in the criminal
business. He also says that criminals
i. are looked upon by many tramps as
heroes-they are regarded as ex-
employing special cleverness and
force of character; and from the ex-
perience which the writer has had
with this class, in this and other
countries, he feels that it is no hasty
, conclusion to say that large mum
, ber, if not the great majority of ho;
boes will undertake "safe stroke OF
work" which would not be sanctioned
, by the courts In fact, he would go
still further, and say that when tramps
! will not dip into minor acts of crime
, it is because of lack of energy or
courage-or both.
3. Other characteristics Of the
: tramp are cleverness of mind and un-
= limited audacity. These are usually
y the result of his peculiar training and
! environment In cities large num-
bers of these men congregate in pub
2 lie stations, cheap lodging houses, and
8 the lowest type of all night saloons
+ Here they have the facility for MAX
ing the cleverest deception, or the most
I evil tendencies, of one man the prop
erty of all In many of these places
+ they spend a part of almost every
6 night in swapping experiences and
k making suggestions for the next days
work One hobo will sell another
p the name of a man or woman who Is
good for a certain amount of cash, ant
4 will throw in the best gag" OF
I graft" or "ghost story for that par
G ticular case. Clothing which has
4 been begged by a man who is pur
: posely clad in thin and ragged gar
4 ments, and broken shoes. is barteret
q with other beggars, or sold to the me1
a who make a business Of dealing II
= such solicited apparel. T he ''winte
, Christian" explains how money Of
n other assistance may be won by pro
r. Tossing conversion, or giving testimo
i mics at various churches or missions
r. The latest lodges are discussed, ant
n old ones improved, SO that each mai
h may have the benefit of the experience
. of every other. Such training as thi
= can not fail to develop in the dulles
It and most timid an amount OF clever