Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-05-21
Tramps Sit at Tables and Re
spond to Toasts just Like
Big swells
OVER 100 sLuM HABlTUEs DINE
Brotherhood Formed to Study Social
Conditions Gives Novel Spread in
Chicago Hotel - Police Prevent
Toastmaster from Being Present, for
Good Reasons.

Chicago, May 21.-With real So
ciety menu to cheer, their inner selves
125 tramps and hoboes gathered from
the slums, Decent "hops" and barrel
houses listened to members of their
own fraternity discuss Dr. Ben l.. Relt-
mans doctrine Of kindness and no
red tape last night at the Windsor
Clifton hotel. Irl point OF novelty few
occasions have ever been witnessed
that would equal it.
1t was the formal opening Of the
Brotherhood Welfare association, which
DIR. Reitman organized few, weeks
ago, and If the ravenous manner in
which the habitles of Clark street at
tackled the dinner and the lusty mani
festations of unrestrained pleasure are
any criterion the launching of the or
ganization was an unqualified sue
cess.
Preparations had been made for 100,
but several times that number were
anxious to attend and long before
o'clock, the time set for the dinner to
begin, the street in front of the hotel
was crowded with the knights Of the
lodu, WIN A<ld hSoAA VI eAAS 80
extended to them.
dozen persons who contributed to
the banquet Mere> the only persons
present who were not bona fide hoboes.
In addition to DIR. Reitman these were
DIR. Liston II. Montgomery, Dr. J. II.
Way, Attorney Charles ]. O'Connor,
Attorney E. G. Ballard, Major P. j. Fl.
Farrell. Lewis began, Alexander Gle
land, Parker H Sercomb and Mr.. and
Mrs J. II. Drake.
Alexander Fat, leader among the
buns, was to nave been POSTMASTER,
but it was announced that he had
suddenly taken a train for st. Louis
during the afternoon at the request OF
the Chicago police. His place was
filled by ]. HI. Drake. who told the
tramps that fourteen years ago ne
had been one of their number. He was
attired in a dress suit, but this was for
given by the unkempt specimens OF
humanity before him.
The men needed little restraining,
now and then when they waxed en-
thusiastic during the progress OF the
dinner, and DR.. Reitman and Mr.. Drake
We're kept busy quieting whose VINO
wished to talk when not called upon. IS
There were among the crowd those
who had an eye for business and dlo
not neglect the opportunities offered oy
such an occasion.
"Shoestring Army Chase, one
armed diner, took the interval between
two courses to pass among the spec
tators who had gathered in the dining
room to watch the curious scene ana
offer his tattered hat as receptacle
for loose change His shrewdness won
those he appealed to and hel took up a
goodly collection.
Fred the Bam," veterano of 20 odd
years, was among the first called upon
when the toasts were started, his sub
iect being why / Hang Around Bar
rel Houses" Fred was, however, not
equal to the occasion, as he had I'M
bibed too freely before coming to the,
banquet He strove to begin his
speech, but his thoughts went stray
and DR.. Reitlnan urged him into his
seat.
To take his place Fred's chum,
Canada Bob Thompson was called
upon. Mr.. Thompson proved himself
to be eloquent, but he wandered some
what from the subject.
"Mr. Toastrnaster, ladies and gentle
men, he began in well-measured
tones. shakespeare said, They do not
love who do not show their love- I
think that after participating in what
you and have participated in this
evening the east we might do is to
extend our hearty thanks to DR.. Reit-I
man."
"sit DOWN. cried several of his fell
low tramps.
Or. Reitmsn approached and wfis-
pered to him to talk about the barrel
houses, but he was not needed.
Forgive me if I express my heart.
felt thanks
Variety was not lacking in the pro-
gram and musical selections and reci-
tations were given by some Of the more
talented hoboes philadelphia Jack
Brown, better known as the overland
Kid" and Eddie Mack. the Dancing
Kid were introduced early in the ev-
ening in order that they might catch
the IL o'clock Chicago, Burlington and
Quincy train for San Francisco. The
toastmaster said as the gentlemen did.
not have any tickets they would have
to be at the station promptly. aud SO
he placed them out of their order.