The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1907-10-09
What Others Say.

L =
At a time when the demand for la
Dor is unusually. great IT is surpris-
ling to learn that there have never
been more tramps and habitual va
grants in the United States. The
tramp problem is as difficult of solu-
tion as ever, and no really effective
lemedy has ever been tried. Orlando
If. Lewis, in an address before a
recent meeting of the National Prison
association, suggests that tramps be
made to work or allowed to starve.
This Is certainly most drastic
remedy, but 1t would undoubtedly
prove effective, whereas more hu-
name schemes have failed utterly.
Mr.. Lewis believes that the present
methods of handling tramps are un-
scientific and useless. Cozy quarters
in jails are welcomed by the profess
sional hoboes as pleasant winter re-
sorts, while comfortable and home-
like warehouses;, with plenty of good
food and q modicum of light labor
Iare not considered undesirable places
for alternating. AS the cold wealth
!er approaches the vagrants swarm to
the large cities, especially to those
noted for the excellence of their
houses of correction, AMI proceed 10
get arrested. They depart in the
spring for bumper rides and leisurely
country wanderings, striking the cit
les occasionally for the sake Of vari-
lety, and for the purpose of indulging
in petty crime or systematic beg
Iging. Into this scheme of life the
prisons and warehouses fit admir-
ably Instead OF deterring vagrancy,
they seem to encourage it.
Mr.. Lewis would stop sending
|tramps to prison. He would estab-
lish compulsory labor colonies in
each of the cities. HabituaI vag-
rants ould be sent to these colonies,
and would be compelled to work for
their daily food. They would be
separated entirely from the small
criminals of the workhouse class, and
from the unfortunates who reside in
the infrmaries and almshouses.
There would be no soup kitchens and
tramp lodging houses, where food
and shelter could be obtained for a
bit OF work at saving wood. There
would be no refuge for the hobo ex-
cept in the labor colonies, and in
these colonies he would cease to be a
hobo, and would actually become a
useful member OF society.
There are two classes of tramps
BY far the largest class is composed
|of men with temperamental abhor-
renee of work. They will endure
hardships and privations cheerfully
rather than have to descend to manu-
al labor. Sociologists and even BEN
evolent philanthropists declare that
they are beyond redemption. The
habit of laziness has become so fixed
that II cannot be eradicated. Com
pulsory labor alone can keep these
men from being burdens on society.
The second class of tramps is com
posed of those unfortunates. who
through loss of work and Temporary
have lost their grin
on life. These are not the natural
tramps. They may he reclaimed IL
properly taken in hand.
The compulsory labor colonies
would provide excellently for each
or these classes. For the homeless
vagrant 1t would supply a place of
detention, where society, for its own
relief, could herd its drags and burd
ems, and compel them to do some use
ful work. For the men who are
tramps through force of untoward
circumstances the colonies would
provide a chance for redemption.
rhese men would be allowed to get
on their feet once more and in time
would be turned loose to take up
their share OF the common burdens.
vi course Mr.. Lewis plan would not
DC effective without the active CO.
operation OF all citizens and OF the
railroads. Men trespassing on rail-
road property would be considered
Vagrants, and Immediately sent to the
tramp colonies. Citizens and house,
wives would refuse to provide the
rev cents for a nights lodging" and
tne back door hand-out." These de-
'aiis are essential, Otherwise the
pan OF work or starve" could not
oe logically carried out.
Ut Is possible that there are too
many phases to Mr.. Lewis plan to
insure Its entire success. At any
rate II appears to have the reoul-
sue OF common sense. Inasmuch as
III other schemes for suppressing the
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