The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1907-12-12
TRAMps IN NORWAY.
New Laws Regarding the Treatment
Of Men Who Won't Work.


The Norweeians have passed a spe-
cial act which enables the authorities
to deal In wholesome way with able
bodied loafers, beggars, tramps,
aliens and drunkards who shirk their
financial duty to their dependents.
An able-bodied man who will not
work can now be warned by the po-
lice against his manner of life and
told where he is to apply for employ
ment. Thus direct official action is
taken against idling and idlers. He
is to be prevented coming on the COM
munity for support, or so acting that
his family becomes a charge on the
poor law--the Interpretation clause
to include even mans divorced wife
and his illegitimate children. This,
of course, involves the providing of
work, task beset with difficulties,
but probably easier in that country
than I'm England, as they have i'm
mense tracts of available land which
could be brought into cultivation, and
this 1t is affirmed would conduce to
the prosperity of the country.
That the country means business
can be further inferred from sug-
gested method of preventing escape
through the possibility of work being
irregular and intermittent. A person
may be ordered by the police to go to
the labor bureau. but not do so, and
on the other hand there may not be
any work. Both these contingencies
q 10. To. 81.
unsuccessful applicant card which
will be evidence of obedience and
also state when the next visit must be
paid This is a detail that may be
varied, but it indicates the size of the
meshes OF this official net. Suppose a
person refuses to do the work as
signed, or leaves 1t without reason,
or is dismissed through bad conduct
and within year either he or his de-
pendents come on the poor law for
relief in consequence of the return
to lazy habits, then the authorities
can send him to the workhouse for
eighteen months, or for three years
If 1t is second offense. The work.
house is an institution between pri-
son and an English workhouse, and
the chief points are that liberty is
forfeited. begging is impossible, and
they must face either work, hunger
or punishment.
The provision with regard to
tramps is most stringent. A person
found roaming about and endanger-
ing the safety of others is liable to
detention in the same establishment
for three and up to six years. The
course is clear and effective. The
individuals are first watched by the
police and then warned that they
must get fixed residence within
given time, and If they do not they
are taken in charge. Some option is
reserved to the police as to whether
they will send a lazy person to the
workhouse or to his legal home,
should they find out where it is, but
the decision rests with the police. In
this connection 1t is important to
know that the police have certain ju-
diclal functions unknown to such Of
ficers in this country. 1t is quite pos
sible, and even probable, that some
will be found who are unable to set
tie because too poor, and in these cir
cumstances they are to have a house
found for them, the funds for this
purpose being provided from money
set apart for the purpose. The place
in the first instance is considered by
the police, but there is reserved the
right of appeal to higher court
From the Poor Law Ofiicers' Journal.