The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-04-24
STREET BEGGARS
HAVE STATISTICS

There are about 400 strictly profes-
sional beggars IN New York city. and
no persons are shrewder observers OF
human nature. They have learned by
close attention and experience what
brings the best results To them, and the
scientific study that they make OF tnetI
calling has enabled them 10 IorhuldCS
a working conclusion on winch lheS a.
in their intercourse WIKI men anu
women, ana which has proved 70 De
extremely useful 10 them IN obtaining
the greatest results with the le5ist pos
s.ble expenditure OF time ana IaOoI;
They know what 70 expect under ali
possible conditions and COMBINATIONS
and make their calculations accordingly
says the New York Herald
Results of these observations. 10 some
extent. have been gathered from con-
versatlons with represc NATIVE mem-
hers OF the profession when they
have been found in 4 mood for converse
ton.
funds in the aggregate. from women
than from men Individual gltts from
the women are smaller, but there are
far more OF them than from the mon
Results of the records kept by many
NJ the beggars show that only one man
out of 3UJ gives anything TO the street
mendicant but this smaH hummer
makes a large aggregate IN n busy NOR
oughfare in the course OF day II
I
comes from each 240. because man
likes to appear liberal TO his fellows.
If there are three men together there
will be a gift from each 36. But when
you get up 10 four. II Is one gift Tor
each 19Z for the four apparently so in
terest one another that the beggar does
not get the consideration tnaJ c0mes
from three or two in a group THESE
figures held almost the same with
women. except that when two women
are together a gift from one VIII be
followed by a gilt from the other, and
three or more together. as rule, over
look the beggar entirely.
Restaurant districts are favor1te
stamping grounds for the metropolitan
begcar. and his chances are y per cent
| less for getting anything from the man
going to restaurant than they are Tor
getting from the man who has just
dined well. Such IS the erect Of good
meal.
Women arc more liberal when they
are going shopping than after they
! have shopped and parted with large
portion OF their money Then women
are more likely 20 g;To 20 men ana men
are more likely TO give 70 women Ap-
parent suffering appeals more TO
| women than to men. Thin clothing in
| cold weather. open neck, bare sleeves.
! SIOCkinElCss feet. and all such devices
/ have a strong influence on women. as
| do blindness. lameness, and other bod
\ ilv infrmities. Men arc more likely
/ to give when the beggar puts in an
| appearance OF trying 20 earn living
/ I,y offering for sale pencils, shOestrinGs.
| or other potions. An effort 70 play on
some musical instrument makes a
! strong appeal to all. and the poorer the
music the more effective the appeal
| Overcoats. wraps. and gloves are a
| disadvantage to beggaTs If worn by
those to whom they appeal, for they
make a difficulty 10 be overcome in
| reaching the pocket. In financial cir
/ clcs d rising market is better for the
| beggar than a falling one. What are
| known as the lower middle classes are
more liberal 70 beegars than the per
! sons Well-tO-du OF wealthy.
| II is to the hsgEar's advantage 10 ap-
/ peal TO persons going 10 the theater,
/ when they are hUoyed by expectation
! OF pleasure. rather than when they are
/ returning and relaxation of energy has
1 set in.