davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
Tramp Problem Being Studied in Scien-
tifc Manner by the Russell
Sage Foundation

honest, but a weak man looking for
work Or he might have been a period
ical drunkard. Perhaps he was neglected
in his childhood. Maybe he is a fugitive
from justice. Possibly some one of his
ancestors had gypsy instincts. Anyway
he is a serious social study and has been
ever since the panic of 1873.
Another "CrIme of 1873"
In that year business, frenzied over
speculation in real estate, collapsed.
Mills. mines, and factories wereN closed.
Hungry men tramped the East and Mid
die West looking for work. They were
fed because they were strangers and
were suffering unusual misfortune. Until
then the word tramp had not been put
into circulation, and was found nowhere
in the laws of the various States. Pre-
vious to that time vagabonds were some-
thing of a picturesque curiosity, especial
ly in small places and rural communities.
Suddenly they appeared under new
name in all parts of the country north
Of the Ohio River and east OF the Missis-
sippi River.
Files of five or six would solicit food
from house to house in villages on or
near important railroads. To have fed
all who applied would have impoverished
turned away. Thus came into use the
signs made with chalk on fences and
gate posts, indicating the generosity or
lack of generosity of the individual in
habitant. The tramp question so begun
remains to be settled. From year 10
year it has grown greater and more diff
ficult to handle. Tramps are increasing
in number. Little is known about them.
less indeed than about Indians, Africans,
and Hottentots.
Laws have been passed to control
them, but the laws are local. and, in
stead of catching them and holding them
for study and treatment, passes them on
TO some town in the next county. Thus
while they are everywhere, here to-day
and there tomorrow, they are still a So
cial riddle and a human mystery. They
beg at doors, charity societies, municipal
lodging places, missions, and soup houses,
and then pass on into the unknown,
leaving-no physical sign behind. Often
they steal Sometimes they burn. Many
of them are criminals, many are weak
lings, many are simply parasites scoffing
at and preying on the public that works
and tries to be prudent with its earn
ings.
How sage's Money Is Being Used.
Just a decade before the severe busi-
ness depression of 1873. Russell Sage,
who had been an errand boy in a
grocery store at Troy, moved to New
York that he might engage in selling
puts and calls at the stock exchange.
Presently he became a money lender.
On his death and by his will, his estate,
valued at $4,000, 00O was turned over to
his widow. Mrs. Sage is using $4,000, 900
of the money for the improvement of
social and living conditions in the United
States Of America" John NJ. Glenn is
secretary and general director of the
foundation so established. He is a Bal
timore man. a lawyer, and a specialist
in sociological questions.
II plain old Russell Sage were to re-
turn to life he probably would be dunn
founded to learn that part OF his for
tune is being spent in an investigation
OF the tramp problem. Nevertheless, the
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
THE IRON WILL DOES
NOT ALWAYS SUCCEED

get his way because he can throw out OF
employment the men who do not obey
him. ....- ~
But the true born conductor, either
military or civil, gets his way and fine
results when his bandsmen know that by
paying close attention to him and put
ting their backs into their work they
help to secure performances of which
they may all Justly feel proud.
When Nikisch first came here many
years ago we were told how on the Con-
tinent he was wont to magnetic his
men and make theim insensibly yield to
his will 1t is likely enough they did
yieh; they would have been dismissed
X they had not; but the magnetism did
not In the least work in England The
men simply paid no attention to Il; there
might as well have been no magnetism
at all; twas in vain Nilkiseh essayed TO
f1x them With the glittering eye Of which
We had read so much, too much; the In
human rascals refused to be fixed; the
performances were poor and some one
must have lost a fair sum Of money over
the concerts.
See what happened when Nitisch re-
turned, not as raster. but as servant of
the orchestra. he symphony orchestra
engaged him; the glitteriug eve nonsense
and the iron viii nonsense were dropped,
and at once artistic results were got
One might disapprove Of many things he
did, and especially of his affected read
ings, but he gained the effects he wanted
and gained them In q legitimate manner.
through the faith the men had In him.
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

Some nights there were as many as 5000.
There are hundreds of homeless men in
Pittsburg. Cleveland, Cincinnati. Indian
apolis, and Detroit, and thousands In
such cities as Boston. New York, Phila-
delphia, and ST. Louis.
Investigators of cheap lodging
houses divide the inmates into four
classes: The self-supporting. the occa-
sionaf and the chronic dependents. and the
parasites. These men differ, ii must be
understood, from tramps. who are
really in a class by themselves. The
man may be a sailor.
lumber worker. or a harvest hand. II
he spends his money before he returns
to work, he may become temporarily
dependent. Possibly he may try beg
ging on the street or peddling shoe
strings. which is mendicanCy clumSily
disguised Should the little spark OF
sclf-respect that remains happen TO
go out he drifts into begging as a
permanent means of living. And once
a begsar. always a beggar. so the ex-
perts declare.
The chronic dependents are those who
are aged, deformed, crippled, deaf.
blind. or i'll of incurable diseases.
Drunkards, drug users. and feeble
minded men are included in this par
ticular class. The parasites are com
posed OF professional tranps. criminals.
swindlers, and the writers of pathetic
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

warm reception by a delighted audience.
Mr.. Rowbotham, one of the lessees. alsp
made his first bow as an actor to hik
Washington patrons. During his engage
ment, Mr.. Burton appeared in Uncle
Gentleman The Mummy Second
Life
New Years night. 1896. the highly cell
ehrated comdian. John Reeve, began a
short engagement, during which he play
cd Paul Pry,' 'Sweethearts and Wives
The Married Bachelor The Mummy
and The Rivals He was followed by
Herr Cline. the great rope dancer. His
speCialties were a dance in wooden shoes,
dellneation of the passions. and ascen-
sion on the tight rope from the stage 70
the extreme height of the theater. At
this time the prices of admission were
reduced to q. So and % cents.
The Classic Presented.
The Merchant Of Venice A New
Way to Pay Old Debt Rob Roy The
Bride of Lammermoor,' and other plays
were performed by the regular company,
Mr.. Haywood sustaining the principal
characters. January 19, Mr.. Abbott, a
first-rate tragedian and highly popular
actor on the English stage, appeared
as Hamlet. His reading was correct,
intonation fine, and elocution well fitted
to the character assumed. The part was
we'll played throughout, and in the closest
scene he electrified the audience with his
heart-rending bursts of pathos. He also
played The Gamester.' The Exile
The weathercock' The Kings FOOL
~ hA "
after the Wedding Mrs. NJ. A. Dun,
who as a tragedienne, had no superior
in this country, played a farewell en-
gagement. For her farewell benefit she
appeared as Jane Shore, and Portia in
The Merchant of Venice Mr.. Abbott
was re-engaged to support Mrs Duff.
"On Saturday evening February 8,
national drama founded on. facts which
occurred In the State OF Virginia was
produced. It was called 'Pocahontas:
or. The First Settler Of Virginia, ana
was written by George Washinston
Parke Custis, Of Arlington, Va, Be-
fore the civil war Mr.. Custis' estate was
known as Custis Spring. and was
noted place for holding picnics Mr.. Gus
tbs had a dancing pavilion built there
and welcomed the picnic parties TO his
grounds
The play was handsomely mounted.
new and appropriate dresses, scenery
and properties being provided. The Com
missioner of the Indian Bureau loaned
a number Of Indian dresses, and Maj.
Hook also loaned many Indian articles
from his well-known collection. so as
to aid the aboriginal effect. The play
was well performer and the applause
was general and enthusiastic. At the
end of the piece the well-known and
highly respected author was loudly call
ed for and soon made his appearance
He was greatly affected by the fiatter-
ing reception he met with, and step
ping to the front Of the stage expressed
his grateful feelings to the audience.
THE play met with great success and
was played for several nights"
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

somewhat different. 1t is quite important,
according TO all the musical sharps, that
you support the annual engagement Of
grand opera here. You may not give two
cents, much less s., for Mary Garden as
Salome; you'd perhaps much rather see
Gertrude Hoffman IN the same role for
80 cents. but Mary Garden 1t must be-
because she's the fad and the fashion.
and because its your duty to support
grand opera.
or course. grand opera is created for
enjoyment. just as any other form Of
amusement. but 1t Is also an institution,
and II is a portion of your responsibility
as a citizen to see that its financial
props are not shaky. The musical
sh9rps are agreed upon this. It would
be an unbeard Of thing If the real live
satellites and stars OF the musical world
should not be supported. II they were
not the blot on the city's fair 'scutcheon
will never be erased.
One never hears that vaudeville must
be supported. 1t arways seems to sup
port itself. But six months in advance,
we all hear this clarion cry that we must
support grand opera-when II comes to
town. Yet, Detroit, the fastest growing
city in America, does not support grand
opera, nor does Cleveland, the next fast
est growing city. They do support auto
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
81 LANES b. AfORRoW.

New York, Sept. 23.-Human lives are
also going to waste. as well as COAL
trees, soil, and water. Two armies OF
tramps are ceaselessly crossing the
country, one toward the. West and one
toward the East, both passing through
st. Louis or Chicago.
The Southern route is preferred in win
ter. At that season of the year the army
tramping to the East becomes a narrow
procession Of marchers. California, bright
with roses, is a happy camping ground
in cold weather. Though the line is
thin, men are moving constantly. So
the armies are ever in motion. No count
Of them has ever been made. Experts
say, however, that they number at least
100000 men. They live off the people as
they go along.
Tramps eat-the food is either stolen
or begged They use tobacco and liquor.
Shoes are on their feet and clothing
covers their bodies. Whatever they eat
smoke, drink or wear costs them moth.
ing In labor or money. Their lives are
going to waste; that is clear. Besides
they are a charge on industry. Suppose
the nation were taxed to support a city
as large as Cleveland or Baltimore filled
with idle men.
Careful students estimate that tramps
are costing the railroads of the Unitde
States the sum of S1s 500, 900 annually. An
official of the Baltimore and Ohio COM
pany recently said: Never in history has
there been such vicious, such a destruc-
tive horde of vagrants on the railroads
Vt America as now
What Tramps Cost the Country.
But the expense to the railways is
Jmail when compared with the total that
hhe two armies are costing the rest of
the country, which can hardly be less
than Sc, ,OOO 900 a year. Perhaps it is q
great deal more A census of tramps will
be impossible so long as they are per-
mitted to run at large. Putting them
INTO figures, therefore, is to attempt an
uncertainty. II is known, however, that
about 1900 of them were killed in four
years while trespassing on railroads and
that about 1900 were injured. The prop
erty destroyed by tramps is doubtless
larger in value than is the sum of their
support.
What can be done with them? The
Russell Sage Foundation has the problem
up for scientific consideration. There
have always been Migrants, vagabondsr
ramblers, wanderers strollers, and beg
closed during the sixteenth century thou
sands of poor and idle persons living of
the charity of the monks turned public
mendicants. In 1880, under Henry VIII.
sound man physically found begging
might be tied to the end OF a cart and
beaten with whips throughout the town
till his body be bloody by reason of such
whipping" Still later the upper part
Of the gristle'' of a tramp's ear might
be clean cut off," When such punish
ment was not enough to cause an able
bodied idler to change his scheme of life
be could be tried and executed as a
Helon.
Those were iron days: these are the
Gays of mercy, charity, and clemency
howard the unfortunate and the delin-
quent. The tramp after all is human
being. At first he may have been an
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
CUMBERLAND'S COMMISSION
GOVERNMENT A SUCCESS
The New Plan of Municipal Rule Proves Highly Sat
iSfactory
iSfactory.

who receive 1920 and the mayors sal
airy is 81 800 per annum. Taxes have
been reduced, the rate for this year be-
ing 66 cents, while last year II was 90
and this reduction is made while the
greatest improvements that Cumberland
has ever contemplated are being exc
cuted-a new city hall costing 5000 and
a pure and plentiful water supply cost
ing S50O,00o
Under the former administration we
paid in the previous year 1850 interest
on borrowed money; under commission
government we expended 1916, this being
the difference between business and politi-
cal management and caused by a swifter
collection of taxes.
The morals of the city are much better
under an efficient police Commissioners,
aided by an exemplary police force The
fines, collected under the old plan were
$500; under the new system they are
$500. almost twice as much-showing
there is no favoritism and that the laws
are being enforced. The licenses (exclu-
sive Of liquor Hcense) under previous ad-
ministrations were 1913. This year they
were S2.176.
Cumberland owns a municipal lighting
plant, and, after charging 10 per cent de-
probation, interest on bonds and all ex-
penses incidental thereto, we find the cost
for S57 arc lights burning all night every
night is $3.50. Does any city beat this
record?
In short, commission government ID
here to stay. IT is the business govern
ment with politics eliminated-at least
Cumberland says so. Contractors now
read specifications with the idea that they
have some bearing on the work. Any
citizen who wants street paved, taxes
adjusted, nuisance abated, &C., has only
to appear before the commissioner and
have the same properly adjusted. After
q patient hearing, the matter is decided
by the council I'm presence of the appli-
can't and to the credit of our people I
Will state that the matter Is then ana
there ended. whether action was favor
able or unfavorable.
How different from the red-tape, slow
form practiced beforeI
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
7POcahontas" an Original Drama by George Washing
ton Parke CuStiS, Was Produced in 1886.

Interesting tales Of the Washington
theaters as they existed in the days be-
tween 1895 and 1850 are told in an in
Eructive brochure by Aloysius I. Mudd,
OF this city. The writer has thorough
w mastered his subject. and possesses
an accurate fund Of information on all
topics relating to the stage in the Capt.
tal from 1900 up to the present day.
In his sketch he relates the first per-
formance of a national drama called
'cPocahontas; or, The First Settlers OF
virginia The play was written by
George Washington Parke Custis, of Ar
lington, the adopted son Of George
Washington. An excerpt from Mr..
Mudd's account OF the theaters in the
early days will prove interesting:
"As is well known, Washington was
an unpaved city and the streets were
badly lighted. When 1t rained, the
streets were filled with mud pudles.
In fact, a communication signed by a
member Of Congress was printed in the
National Intelligence in 1885 complain
ing that the lamps were not lighted and
that people could not walk the streets
at night without falling into mud holes.
1t was also stated that about that time
It cost SO for a hack to take party to
and from the theater. AS a consequence
Of these uncomfortable conditions, the
performance often did not take place on
nights when the weather was very incle-
ment.
New Theater in 1888.
As Washington grew in size and i'm
portance the population moved westward
and q movement was inaugurated to build
q more modern theater, and nearer the
center Of the city. This movement re-
suited in the organization Of a stock
company of prominent citizens, and plans
were drawn for a new theater to be built
on the triangular park in front OF the
present National Theater. August rs, 1884,
proposals were invited for the erection of
the structure. Later, ground was pur
chased about where that theater now
stands, the plans were changed, and No
vember Is proposals were again asked for.
The building was begun early in 1895 and
finished in November of that year.
The theater was leased to Messrs. May
wood, Rowbotham, and Platt, Of the
Chestnut Street Theater, Philadelphia.
November 10. 1885. the managers Of
fered a prize Of a silver cup valued at
$50 for the best opening address, not to
exceed sixty lines Mr. H. Penrose
Vass, of Baltimore, Nd, was the Sue
cessful competitor. The theater was
opened December Z, 1885. The opening
address was delivered By Mr.. Hughes.
This was followed by the sterling
and excellent comedy by Macklin, en-
titled The Man of the World in
which Mr. haywood sustained the char
acter of Sir Pertinax Macsychophant.
1t was a part in which Mr.. haywood
had gained great credit, and on that
occasion his fine acting ELECTED much
well-merited applause from a highly
appreciative and Intelligent audience.
The performance closed with the mu-
steal farce entitled Turn Out
THE prices OF admission were: First
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
WHAT ARE YOU SUPPORTING,
OPERA OR "HIGHBROW'' DRAMA?

mobile and iron trades, though, or
rather, the automobile and iron tradeG
support them. Detroit and Cleveland
coolly take all the support they can
get and ignore their duty Of supporting
other things.
The Symphony Concerts.
Washington supports, among Other
things, the Boston Symphony Orchestra
There is rarely a concert given by this
sterling organization-which is COM
monty regarded as the greatest orchestra
in the world-which is not greeted with
a packed house in Washington In fact,
the city responds to its duty in this re-
gard nobly. And, in fact, both the Bos-
ton and Washington Symphony orches-
tras. besides attracting the regular quota
Of music lovers, are supported by hun
dreds who listen to classic music out OF
q sense Of duty, rather than out of any
confidence that they will derive artistic
enjoyment from IT. OF course they are
mean-souled individuals for whom or
chestral music hath no charms. who
may prefer "There'll Be a Hot Time"
&c, to Beethoven's pastoral symphony.
but these, also on the ground of civic
patriotism, are appealed to for support
for the splendid orchestras which visit
u.s. Sometimes they do so, and some
times they don't, but that is neither here
nor there.
Now, there are a score Of other things
which Washington supports royalty. 1t
Is proverbially cold to those dramas and
actors and other visitors, who can't
make good" in the popular Jargon. For
Washington has a mind Of its own. a
rlay, or an opera, may come here with
the best Of Endorsement from New York,
but II the Capital does not like 1t, 1t
plays to empty seats, and the managers
may mourn until doomsday over the CAL
lousness of the local public. 1t may be
noted right here that Washington judg-
ment is usually correct The best at
fractions are well patronized here, al
though many meretricious Broadway
productions, feverishly press-agented,
fall by the board, much to the disgust
CT those impresarfos who think that the
Broadway Yubber stamp Of success" Is
all they need to hypnotic the rest OF
the country.
City Knows What 1t Wants.
Washington supports good music, good
drama, and good art. 1t is quite dis
eliminating in It's taste. As rule, the
big attraction coming here, either dra-
matte or operate, does, not require a
preliminary trumpeting about the sup
port which Washington must give to it
to preserve its standing in the artistic
world, &C. It is only the rather weak
and shaky production which has to make
such an appeal.
You will always hear from managers,
press agents, promoters, and all the rest
of the brigade, about the duty imposed
upon Washington Of giving substantial
patronage to ''high-brow" art, music
and drama Yet Washington goes on its
Nay calmly, giving support to that which
is worthy, whether 1t is a Shakespear-
can production by Sothern and Mar
lowe, or a lively vaudeville sketch, and
withholding 1t from that which Is not.
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
OLD WASHINGTON PLAYHOUSES
SAW NOTABLE PERFORMANCES

Children in the Wood The Hunch-
back The Honeymoon 'Bertram.
The School for Scandal, and other
plays. Both received high praise for the
-ellence of their presentations.
MIR. Balls, a celebrated light comedian
from Drury Lane and Covent Garden
theaters. London, played an engagement.
presenting Laugh When You Can.
Three and the Deuce The Dramatist,'
Hunter of the Alps. Raising the Wind,
'Gretna Green Secrets Worth Know
ing, The Weather Cock and School
for Scandal, and sustained his high rep
utation as a finished performer. Satur-
day. December &c. Mr.. Burton, the cele
hrated low comedian. made his first ap-
pearance before a Washington audience.
The house was well filed, and he met
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
A anniI Hatches Chicken.

An incident of some interest is reported
from the woodland, Ill, neishborhood.
Last week on the farm Of w. L. Riley,
of that vicinity. quairs nest was found
in which a hen had laid an egg. With
this was found the usual number Of quail
eggs.
The last Of the week the hen Matched
and the quail seemed TO lose all interest
In her own eggs and turned her atten-
ton to the chick, leaving her nest and
disappearing with 1t. Some Of the quail
eggs were broken and showed that they
would have been hatched In another
week.
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24

tier of boxes and parquette, 81; second
and third tiers, so cents; gallery, %
cents.
First Play "The Stranger"
Miss WheatIey, a native American
actress, made her first appearance De-
cember S as Mrs. Haller, in The
Stranger The following might Mr.
James Wallack appeared as Hamlet. Mr..
Wallack and Miss Wheatley played The
Wonder: \ Woman Keeps a Secret,
The Washington herald., 1911-09-24
A Mere Trihe.

Briggs-I have made will leaving my
brain to the hospital. and just got an ac-
acknowledgement from the authorities.
Lofty-Were they pleased?
Briggs-They wrote that every little,
helps. =