New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-06-15
HOW MANAGE TRAMPS
PRESENT METHOD WRONG
Orlando +. Lezcis' address at Chair
ties Conference.
IRr TelsEranh 10 rhe rrihune.


Minneapolis. June 14.-Orlando'F. Lewis. of New
York. presented a paper to-day before the thirty
fourth annual session of the National Conference
of Charities and Corrections on the subject Of va
srancy in the United States. Mr.. Lewis. who is
superintendent of the joint application bureau of
the Charity Organization Society and of the Asso-
citation for Improving the Condition of the Poor.
declared that vagTanCy is national problem, and
that present methods of treating it neither
sufficiently repressive sufficiently helpful He
recommended that for the present the treatment of
vagrancy should be deterrent. and that able bodied
Migrants should he imprisoned at hard labor If
they will not work voluntarily.
Mr. Lewis presented statistics obtained from the
various railroads showing that in the four years
from 1901 1905 there 1854 trespassers. mostly
Migrants killed 1926 injured. OF the national
character of the vagrancy question MI Lewis said
Vagrancy in the United States is national prob
lem. Thus far its treatment has been almost al
way local The vaerant is the most elusive Of an
aid for the vagrant has generally taken the form
Of WOODLANDS. wayfarers' lodges. municipal lodging
petty and often not discovered; a result both
inai or potential malefactor. -.
the national sisnitcanSe Of this problem kalroa9s
operated in the United States and Canada testify
almost without exception to depredat tons theXins;
siock enormous aggregate costs TO railroads. or So
10y Migrants The railroads attribute TINS vagrancy
plague TO unenforoed or inadequate laws ana point
The question of vagrancy has concerned England
aad h m rR OF b 9T a m
ceived the recommendations OF its Vagrancy Com.
mission which has reported to both houses If
Parliament that present methods of treating va
grancy should be co-ordinaed, strengthened on the
lshment of compulsory labor colonies In Ger
and begging preciptated questions similar those
now asking, at least in some of our East
states; result way stations were eStab.
lished for wayfarers, home inns for over night
and volunteer farm colonies for more permanent
treatment.
The speaker pointed out this way of reform;
Let us Their. recognize the evident fact that, al
though woodyards, lodges and city lodging
OF relief they do not materially diminish the
onal army OF tramperS Sporadic er 10 5e
Quoted. simply drive the work-shy vdgrant to the
Vasrsnc ys effect fi the main principles
sistent programme must be followed by All com
aeent lodging house regulations. which will IN
absence Of mendicancy squad in New York City
Migrants can still ply their trade there, ana com
houses across the river in Hoboken. Jersey city
ard Newark.
Mr.. Lewis said of the method of prevention:
directed against vsgrancy. The measures in tho
first group seek to prevent the individual from be
coming a vagrant There preventive measures are
based two principles % the able bodied yagrant
muf a9 me- s he 50 e and so
cQnspicuous as 70 act as strong deterrent ,s
qIate. amended if Inadequate Migrants may n, be
divided into general classes tie empOydDe
and the n-employable In the first class are two
groups Ia accidental Migrants and CD habitual
Migrants. Accidental Migrants are those tempted
by possible work elsewhere. attacked by wan
derlust." and those temporarily handicapped by
to have growing propensities TO habitual dleness.
available. deter them from further vaErancy and
TO tide them temporarily in their tine OF need
For those unable work, charitable provision is
necessary. Habtuai Migrants are those Idle by
intention; such persons need extended punitive and
The second class consists Of the uneu. playable.
which includes the hopelessy incapable and the
incnrabe. For these there should he permanent
care in asylum or almshouse, or custodai care. II
such persons unwilling to remain in charitable
institutions.
Mr.. Lewis said that NJ least one compulsory
labor colony FOR habitual Migrants should be estab-
lshed in each state. Some Of the conclusions
reached by Mr. Lewis from his study Of the va
grancy question We're
Present work tests do not materially diminish
Attempts prevent vagrancy will DE far more
effective than attempts 10 cure.
Sentences OF Migrants should be cumulative
Towns lodging Migrants should provide for them
a separate House. If they lodged at the aims
house separate and distinct quarters , ,
Migrants should not be lodged In police stations
a municipal lodging house should be established
in all cities having yagrancy problem. - -
rested and imprisoned at hard labor.
Greater cooperation IS necessary between towns
and railroads In prosecuting Migrants.
Railroad trespass laws should be enforced,
strengthened o adopted.
Costs Of the prosecution and maintenance Of
Migrants should be made state charge.
Special state police officers should be appointed
to aid in prosecuting Migrants
In cities troubled with Migrants and beggars
there should he AT least one special mendcancy Of
hcer. in plain clothes
The Department Of Health should prescribe ade-
pervision Of common lodging houses.
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