Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1912-06-28
millionaire Tramp" in
Augusta to Visit Jail.
Finds Institution Finest OF Kind
He Has Seen in All His Travels.
With George Allan England, Speaks,
Friday, In Theatre at HaIIoweli.

DIR. Ben Rider, the millionaire
tramp" RECALLED the Journal editorial
staff. Thursday morning. with tales of
the road. the prison, the slums and the
factories.
Lecturer, writer, lawyer, doctor SOL
der and one time candidate for may
or of Duluth, Mimi, he travels in kha-
hi, sonbrero and puttees, huge fig
ure, wide-set eyes and jaw of the
fighting man. But his manners are
good, his conversation entertaining.
his arguments considerable though
compelling, aud his friendly smile is
best pictured in the breatllless declar-
alton OF the youngest stenographer:
Gee. she told the mailing clerk, eIt
made my heart jump so high that my
gum hooked ON and went back with
1t. Honest, | thought I'd choke to
DEATH"
1t was some smilei
Dr. Ben speaks at the theatre in
Hallowell. Friday afternoon and eve
ming. anG expects to be introduced by
the noted socialist, George Allen Eng
land.
I-&0fUtrGS 0uT Jalis
The doctor was in Augusta to inves-
tigate conditions at the county Jail He
stated with enthusiasm that it was the
best Institution of the kind that he
had ever been in. He found its sani-
tary conditions perfect, remarked upon
its shower baths. declared the inside
air as pure as that outside and that
one could. eat from the floor
The food is excellent" he said, "and
the kitchen like that of first-class
hospital. The only deplorable factor
is the wearing of striped uniforms.
This practice has been done away with
in 81 per cent of the jails of this coun-
try. It's humiliating for the prisoners
and YOU can't teach a man respect for
his fellow beings unless he has respect
for himself
Ridder comes here from Lewiston
and goes next to Waterville and Ban
gor.
Reason for His Title.
Everywhere 1 CO." he complained
to the editor, people meet me with re-
quests for funds. Five hundred for
this and "a thousand for that Why
If had five hundred dollars wouldnt
know what to do with 1t. I'd be sick.
They call me the millionaire tramp,
but not because | have million dol
lars. It's because my father was the
millionaire leader of the Danish par
lament, because I'm the author of the
play The Millionaire Tramp, and be-
cause | have one million tramps be-
hind me-"
Ridder has visited every state pris-
on in the United States with the ex-
ception of the Maine State institution
at Thomaston. These and others ex-
amined afford the impressive total of
over 5000. He has been arrested sos
times and has served 81 sentences, the
longest of these, four years, at Walla
Walla prison.
He Declares the Cumberland county
Jail one CT the worst and the Andres
coggin institution one Of the best seen
in his travels.
His Lies Work.
The three vital objects" of his life
are avowed as "the adjustment of
child labor and white slavery, and the
realization of true prison reform"
Among his nearest friends are num-
bered Jack London. George Allan Eng
land Charles Edward Russell. Upton
and Lincoln Stephens. OF
Jack London he says, "He is a good
writer, fine author, but not a good
speaker though he commands great
remuneration of both pursuits
His Experiences
In Portland his experiences were
many and varied Here he was pub
licly invited to speak during the bust
ness mems lunch time before large
audience OF men and boys Arriving
at the hall with a 5000 check for the
Boys organization he was met with
refusal of admittance or explanation.
Later, however he discovered the rea-
son for this action. Il found out" he
says, that two of these old ladies
with glasses on stick granting eff
fective Illustration with a broken whip
which he carried had heard me speak
and considered me ,uncultured, unre-
rude language.
At one time--in fact, for IA years
Rider was called woman hater,"
but at St Paul suffragette meeting
not many years ago, he met a girl
whom he liked. They were engaged
within ten minutes and married with
in IL hours. before an audience of 1000.
State Senator Wade was best man and
the city council made them a wedding
present of $500. A short time later a
divorce was secured and the erstwhile
woman hater" is already engaged to
be married again.
With General Coxey, of Coxey's army
fame, he is to hold a tramp convention
at Manchester. n. H.. July A. About
5000 are expected to be present and
through the alleged antagonism of the
chief of police, interesting, perhaps
uncomfortable developments are ex-
pected.
RIVERSIDE.