The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 18??-19??, 1913-10-21
OR|V|NG HOBOEs
OFF THE ROADS
A New System Adopted in Eng
and for Kidding the High
ways of The Migrants
Which is Helping.
Especial Correspondence ~. Y. Even
ing Post

ing Post.)
In England the wandering hobo is
nothing like so painful a social prob
lem as in some countries. With all
the camaraderie of the road, we have
nothing here at all corresponding TO
such unions or guilds of beggars as in
China levy tribute from every shop
keeper. Nor in spite OF the poverty
of the city Sums. can there be seen
here such spectacles of mendicancy
as distress the ravele in Naples and
other parts Of the Continent. We are
even free from one special phase Of
vagrancy which causes no little
trouble in America. The English
railway companies are scarcely wOr-
ried at all by attempts Of u out
of-works to steal~a ride. This is not,
presumably, because the English
tramp is more fond of walking than
the American hobo, but simply be-
cause the distance between one big
city and another is comparatively SO
small that it is not worth while to run
the risks involved in a surreptitious
journey by the cars.
At the same time. no one who
goes about much on English country
roads, especially those in the neigh
OF London and other CEN
tres OF population, car avoid frequent
ly meeting persons who are evidently
more deSirous OF q dole than of a
JOD. IL Is true, Is q punlSn-
able O6ence. but it is easy to keep
within the law by means Of a pre-
tense of selling tapes, or shoelaces, or
g~roundsel. Within the last few
months. however, the lazy vagrant, as
distinguished from the bona-fde
workman who has fallen on hard
times. has found himself confronted
with a new situation. What the au-
tomobile is doing for the pedestrian
IN general "a new method of NOR
relief is doing for the vagrant in par
ticular. 1t is driving him off the
Dad.
The Old Plan and the New.
According to the Did system, a
tramp who had been trudging the
highways during the day could apply
in the evening for admission to the
casual ward of the nearest work
house. Here he would be provided
with a meal and a bed. HI mex
morning. instead of being set free tt
continue his journey at once, h,
would be set to work at some manu-
~task-usually breaking stone or pick
ing oakum He would spend al
day at that work, with necessar,
meals provided meanwhile. and on tn
following morning he would be dis
charged after breakfast. But, as soOl
as the workhouse gates closed on him
he would be left to his own resourc
as regards getting something to ca
before the supper that awaited hir
In the casual ward in the even
Ing. If. therefore, he happened t
meet a charitably disposed person h
could appeal for help on the groun
that he a nothing wherewith I
satisfy his hunger during the day.
In n large number Of countries tn
adoption of a new plan called "tf
way ticket system" has deprived tt
habitual tramp of this excuse fl
begging. When he leaves the worl
house he Is given a ticket which Ell
titles him TO half a pound of bread ar
an ounce and q half of cheese
some appointed store on his rout
A further reform diferentiates b
tween the two types Of wayfarers.
an applicant for shelter in the casu
ward convinces the master Of Il
that he is not a me
tramp but an honest seeker aft
work. he is allowed to leave on t
morning after admission without pu
ting in a day at Stone-breaking.
proof of his good faith he may she
n testimonial from some responsit
employer given not more than
month previously, or a Labor +
change ticket, or one of Lilo
Georges insurance cards. Or, y,
haps. he can give satisfactory e.
dcnce that he is travelling to sol
fiot' NhNst liz Ids betA OlieToO q
ployment In any case, once he h
satisfied the ~workhouse master TT
he is really after a job, he is excus
the usual days delay in the wol
house, and can start again after
nights rest with a way ticket D,
viding for his meal. This ticket l
spaces in which each master maj
the date of the mans arrival and
parture and where his next halti1
place will be. 1t becomes accOrdil
~ an equivalent to a through pc
guaranteeing food and shelter at st
expense
Not Welcome to the Vagabond.
This scheme, though q boon to
honest worker, is anything but v
come to the vagabond. He is beg
ming TO ask himself whether. a,
all, the life OF the road is really VIC
living. For the poor-law authori
have taken the public into their co
dence in the matter. Through