Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-01-30
Alexander Law Tells of Recent Con-
vention in st. Louis-Plans
for the Future.

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Labor.
The foregoing is what is termed 1.-The
hobo working card
1t was adopted at the recent national
convention OF the unemployed. held at
St. Louis, and is issued to those who
join the Brotherhood Welfare Associa-
ton. The chairman of the national con-
vention of the unemployed is James Eads
How of st. Louis, known as 'the hobo
millionaire"
Alexander Law representative of the
brotherhood, reached Washington at an
early hour this morning. He is provided
with letters of introduction to certain
senator's and representatives and to Sam
uel Gompers, president Of the American
Federation of Labor. Mr.. Law is talka-
tive and is full of schemes for the recla-
nation of the 'roadsters" and the amelio-
ration of the condition of the unem-
ployed. He is an optimist and has visions
OF future prosperity for the knights OF
the road who are now compelled by the
eXigencies to tour in "side-door Pull
mans or cold-storage fat cars.
Victims Of Industrial Conditions.
Mr.. Law explained to a Star reporter
that many Of the so-called tramps are
not itinerant travellers by choice, but are
victims Of the prevailing Industrial con-
litions In this country.
II am also president of the Eight
Hour League" Mr.. Law said, land In
the next presidential campaign We will
make eight hours as a days labor the
paramount issue. and you can bet Judge
Taft will sit up and take notice an
a member, too. OF the Brotherhood OF
Carpenters and Joiners Of America. When
cannot get work at my trade, why.
go about the country saving wood. It's
not exactly In the carpentering trade
but know how to do 1t and it Is honest
labor
scription Of James Eads How, son Of the
Mississippi river jetty builder. He said
Mr.. How is reputed to be worth anywhere
from $4,000 to 100000.
He is our patron saint" the Legislative
agent Of the unemployed continued. Mr..
How's motto Is that man Is entitled only
to the money he actually earns by the
sweat of his brow. Hence he Is holding
his wealth In trust for the men who COM
prise the Welfare Brotherhood. Some
ply is that he would rather be a fool for
poor humanity than to be wise and a
malefactor Of great wealth.
Mission to Washington.
Explaining his mission to Washington,
Mr.. Law said he came here to present
to Congress and President Roosevelt reso-
lutions adopted by the convention Of I'm
employed These recite that lat the pres
ent time there are many men and women
deprived OF the means OF employment
and unable to find work Of any kind. and
such a condition Is a menace to the best
interests Of the country. not only in en-
failing suffering upon children. as well
as parents. but in constituting a con-
slant pressure toward acts OF violence
and crime.
THE situation is extraordinary and alb
normal owing to the last fifteen months
OF panic conditions and calls for emer-
gency action by the United States govern
ment.''
1t was resolved chat the national con-
ventfon Of the unemployed proposes the
following amendment to the Constitution
Of the United States:
1.-THE opportunity to work shall be guar
anteed to all citizens of the United States.
regardless of creed. color or sex, and the
government failing to provide same. shall
provide proper means of support to those
unable TO find work.
THE Congress shall have power to en-
force the provisions of this article by
appropriate legislation. This will guar
antee every man living"
Plan for Colonizing.
Delegate Law, who for a number of
years served as a regular soldier and
took part in many Indian campaigns and
scraps with bad men, on the western
pla ms. has a plan for colonizing the I'M
employed on the arid lands west of the
Rockies. which he says he will present to
Congress. He is also advocating the re-
building Of tenement houses in the large
cities along fireproof and sanitary lines,
and thereby hopes to help In the eradica-
ton of tuberculosis. In these matters he
says lie will ask organized labor the
world over to lend its moral and financial
support. 1t is his belief that the world
owes every man a living.
It is reported that the delegates to the
recent convention in ST. Louis went to
that city foot back" along the turn
pixies and by freight and the blind bag
gage" The proceedings were conducted
with order and a show Of parliamentary
tactics He could not give reliable figures
as to the membership of the brotherhood,
but said there were from 1900 to 1000
members in New York city. and every
man Of them wants job. and wants it
bad.
The unemployed women of the United
States we're represented at the convention
by Cora .. Harvey of Oklahoma. who
was elected secretary OF the national
committee of the unemployed.