New-York tribune., 1907-12-28
TRAMPS OVERRUN CITY.
NEU YORK EASY MARX.
gTork Breaking Stone Expected to
ProUe Remedy for Big Problem


-,acausa Of the unprecedented number of wan
.ere-s who have dropped into this city this Win
Ter and are still coming the municipal lodging
house and other homes for the submerged tenth
are facing a serious situation and one requiring
immediate attention. The fact that New York
furnishes special attractions TO the homeless is
known far and wide and has proved a magnet
20 thousands of tramps all over the country
This unusual increase in the number OF Ne"
York's dependents resulted in meeting yester-
day of those interested in charity work at
the United Charities Building
The startling tax on the citys charity has
swamped the municipal lodging house to such
an extent that 1t has been necessary 10 use the
office of the Charity Department on the pier
at East 26th street'for night lodging rooms. The
desks are removed at night and park benche'
are substituted for the homeless. Several nights
ago the three available rooms were crowded
that it is said number of the applicants were
permitted to sleep in the office used by Comlnls-
sioner Robert ". Hebberd. On that night 3i
persons were quaItered in the offices of the
Charity Commissioner, and many were forced
to sit UP all night because Of the lack OF room
even under those conditions
As a temporary relief the authorities of the
municipal lodging house placed fifty extra
double deck beds the second floor OF the
building at First avenue and 23d street yes
terday. but the benches on the Charity Depart
ment dock pier are still required Nhlie the
number of applications for aid at the Charity
Organization bureau does not show an increase
of more tnan TO fifteen persons a day over
that of last year the conditions which are wor-
rying those in charge of the relief work are
mostly confined 10 the municipal lodging house.
Following the repeated calls for aid from those
in charge Of the lodging house it was decided 10
hold a conference yesterday, when w. C 1orke
the superintendent Of this branch of the city S
institutions. explained the seriousness OF the
rroblem with which ne is now confronted from
December TO December 25 1853 persons were
turned away from the doors of the lodging house
because Of lack of room. They were all sent to
the rooms on the East 26th street pier. 1t was
pointed out that last year such conditions
prevailed, and that in the previous year only
1os7 persons were turned away in twelve
months These were quartered in one of the
rooms on the pier, which afforded ample quar-
tiers for them at that time
The rush of tranps TO New York began in
November Those in charge of the municipal
lodging house had 407 more applicants than
they could attend TO in that month. Although
only seven days Of rain and three Gays of cold
weather have been recorded this nlehth, the in
fiuX of tramps has increased steadily. To try
to stop this rush it was decided yesterday to
change for their lodging.
The few hours at the woodpile are no longer
regarded as arduous by the tramps and accord
ing TO those interested in taking care of the un-
enlpioyed the men will be put to work breaking
stone on BIackweus Island It was said after
the meeting yesterday that enough stone could
he uuarried 10 place all the roads on the island
in good condition and that surplus could be
used for new roads should the place be trans
formed into 2 public park.
According to the plan, which was outlined by
charity experts, the able bodied dodgers from
the lodging house who are without employment
will be sent to BlackwelIs Island early in the
morning and after doing a specified amount or
work they can return TO Manhattan This sys-
TEN would provide the 1odgers with sufficient
work to equal the value of the nights lodging
II was denied by those at the conference that
a general relief measure was needed for the un-
employed residents OF the city. but the large
number Of outsiders who have been labelling
every farm fence with arrows pointing TO New
York. where charity was assured. made necessary
the change No appeal will he made for addi-
,ional funds by the charity department, but a
system of hard labor will be installed This is
expected to frighten off those applicants for
charity who want to get something without
labor.
Atpresent e97 beds are provided in the Munic-
ipal Lodging House. The overflow sent 10 the
osth street pier do not get beds, but are forced
TO spend the night on the hard benches Mr.
IIebberd said at the meeting that the out-of-
town tramps should be discouraged from en-
tering the city.
II was also said that the increased number OF
applications for aid at the charitable institu-
tions was due to the easy immigration laws
In the last few days no less than fifty men VINO
came 10 this country not more than a week be-
fore have called the city for food and lods-
tngs These men got here with hardly any
money. and as soon as their funds gave out they
applied for city charity.
while it was intended that the meeting should
be Informal it finally decided to take con-
Arfed action in relieving the city of the tranps.
and in the future it is expected that the tramps
,,5u decorate the trees and signposts outside or
New York with notices to keep away from ihls
place.