New-York tribune., 1907-06-18
ROADS AFTER TRAMPS
R0il7coy Police Of Lines Entering
This City Organize.

The Railway Police Association consisting of the
police forces of the railroad lines running out OF
New York and New Jersey, has been organized and
viii hold monthly meetings for the exchange OF
views and plans for the protection of the compa-
MES property. The chief problem with which the
association viii have deal is the suppression Of
the tramp. There has been in existence for some
time an association of railway police chiefs, rep
resenting all the large traffic systems Of the coun-
try, but its scope is wider than that Of the new
association.
The depredations of trespassers who are mostly
in the tramp class while not great they
once were, are still a source OF great loss to the
railroads. An idea of the extent Of the thievery
might Do had from the statement that in one year
the New York Central Railroad recovered $4,000
Of stolen merchandise. The New York Central
maintains police force OF one hundred men. The
arrests Of trespassers on this line alone average
1900 month. Sometimes the tramps conhne them
selves to the theft OF bottles of milk for their own
consumption, but often they steal marketable
freight like 1rkns OF butter, and some des-
perate enough to try to wreck trains
The time was" said New York Central Off
cial yesterday. when they used TO carry goods
away by the wagon load"
But not all the tramps are thieves. Some OF them
do steal anything more than ride. However.
while these do not cause the railroads the pecuni-
airy loss that the others do they, too require at
tenton. The list OF deaths and Of Injuries suffered
by the tramps who steal rides IS a long one, and
in some instances alleged relatives OF the men thus
killed or injured have brought damage suits
against the railroads
Orlando r Lewis. OF this city read paper last
Friday before the National Conference OF Chari-
ties and Corrections at Minneapolis on vagrancy
IN the United States. which dealt largely with the
troubles Of the railroads with tramps. He quoted
figures which showed death list Of 1854 railroad
trespassers In four years. Perhaps the best known
Of the railroad men who contributed their views
TO Mr., Lewis's paper was James J. Hill, OF the
Great Northern Railway, who said the evu was
growing and that the country Itself was RESPONSE
BILE Mr.. H.lHs views
With exceptions the local authorities DO not assist
checking the nuisance In not a
encouragement IS given TO those who
prey railroad In where tTaups have
broken caught In the act OF stealing
the local auth1rtes declined 70 take action They
declare that Il their business 70 prosecute suits
f1r the railroad companies and the thief escapes.
Effective remedy must begin with cooperation De-
muuIrv through which Il passes There should De as
or5r,pt urcsogutlou o. offender against railroad
as ~ ono against Individual There should bo no mo q
suspended sentences account Of leaving town There
should lc confinement hard labor for liked period Tor
every tramp the almost universal custom Tor
tho officers before whom the Migrants are brought IN ps1y
cases 20 order leave town within t"eItyio
hours ..,,.,.
1r5's rule merely passes to the next Vl4!ase
rhl-, repeats ne, Most Of those ordered 20
move rHilroad which Is rlado '4e cI'o' Su
fcrer from this policy -.,..,. ..,,o.
Tie only penalty which can wipe o"' '' ''''S''' ~
varr4ncy IS enforced labor.