Waterbury Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury [Connecticut]) 1900-1903, 1902-12-05

The solution of the tramp problem
has always been rendered difficult by
the lack Of knowledge of true condi-
tons prevailing in various states and
by the absence of united action by the
municipal authorities of the leading
cities. The first definite data that
have been secured on this all impor-
tant feature of municipal legislation
have been collected during the last
summer and these have placed the de-
tails of the whole subject in such con-
venient and ready form that intelligent
action may be taken by every city in
., the country during the coming winter.
/ Superintendent Robins of the NUM-
cipal lodging house Of Chicago, who
/ by his exertions last winter reduced
the tramp population Of the city to less
/! than half the number OF the year pre-
ceding, has secured from the chiefs of
police fifty-two important cities an
swers to a series of questions dealing
! directly with the tramp menace. These
answers represent in brief and COM
| pact form a fair consensus of the opin-
| ion of those officials who, of all others
1 in the United States, are brought in
most direct connection with the tramp,
and who can readily trace his evolu-
! ton into the criminal.
1 The three most salient points
brought out by these answers may be
expressed thus
| l. The cessation of indiscriminate
outdoor relief is necessary If American
cities are to cleared of the tramp
evil.
/ g. The cheap Salvation Army lodg-
1 ing houses. as they are generally con-
4 dn+y ant IN
4 in certain cities, especially where they
are under direct municipal supervision,
the good they intend to do balances the
evil which unwittingly they perpetu-
i ate. 1u
| 3. The free transportation which
tramps are able to secure on many rail-
roads by cheating their way" and
which is not dealt with as severely as
might be desired. is responsible. more
than any other cause. for the growth
and prevalence of this class in the
United States. 'sr.~
i Here. then. are the three primary
blanks on which to build a platform
for municipal reform. Without these
| other reforms are useless, and by them
alone the evil can be greatly mit1-
gated.
| The second is a far easier matter to
deal with. There is scarcely a police
chief in the United States who would
not accord to the Salvation Army the
highest credit for the good it has ac-
complished and is accomplishing In the
slums. but an overwhelming majority
of opinion states that it's cheap lodg-
ing houses as they are generally con-
Quoted are a detriment to the cities in
which they are found. Obviously what
is to be done in this regard Is to re-
view carefully those institutions which
: are successful and ably managed and
model those which are unsuccessful on
the same line. Municipal supervision
is advisable in cities which do not pos
sess a municipal lodging house. Both
municipality and Salvation Army
should be willing to help each other In
the highest possible degree. All this
of course, is equally true Of lodging
houses conducted by various kinds OF
missions where the same conditions
fprevail as those with which the Saliva
ton Army deals.
The third would be the easiest Of al
if the railroads could be induced tc
take ND the matter. 1t is matter OF
common knowledge that tramps 'bea1
their way" in almost all cases with the
= cognizance of the brakemen. Some
times the tramps pay little II they
have any money, oftener they do not
but on only few railroads through
out the country is rigorous system
carried out by which the train EN-
ployes drive away all loafers from the
. cars and yards. Further, along the
lines where railroad police are active
, the tramp nuisance is far less ma
lignant. Interesting comparison
could be made Of the tramp population