Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-09-09
HOBOESLOUNGE ABOUT
In HOTEL WHICH ONCE
HOUSED PRESIDENTS
Congress Hall, at Cape May,
Has Reached State of Dilapi-
dation That Commends 1t
to Use of Tramps
FURNISHINGS NOT MOVED
Owner, for Sentimental Reasons, Has
Left Everything Just as It Was
in Prosperous Days

A moonbeam strays through a crevice
IN the closed shutters OF a second-story
window at the Cape May branch of the
Hotel de Gink. IL falls athwart the
bearded and Jubilant face of Railroad
Jake" with a contented sigh he sinks
in the luxurious bed TO dream tramp
dreams OF bliss. Not until late In the
morning. when the sun is high, will he
be called by the bellboy.
Downstairs Bundle Mike" plays a last
tune on the plano; several patrons ad-
tourn 70 the card room for an an-night
poker session: and still others HE them
selves 70 the grill to talk over old times.
The remaining guests proceed TO select
rooms from the 200 or so in the hostelry
and follow Jake" to the land Of dreams.
such is life In the Cape May branch
Of the Hotel de Gink II is situated In
q fashionable section Of the beach at the
shore resort, at Perry avenue and the
beach front. II is a three-story structure,
extending over a considerable area. and
capable OF accommodating 400 guests. The
rush season is over now and not all the
rooms are occupied, but II was busy
place In July and August.
ONCE A PLACE FOR THE ELECT.
Il II was not always known as the Hotel
Et SinS Not longer than five years ago
SSit was Congress Hall. the gathering place
4
come moss grown and rickety enough TO
lure members of the hobo fraternity It
has been thought proper to change its
name The hotel is completely furnished
from cellar TO garret. and even piano
was left in the hall off the lobby. Tramps
decided TO establish branch of the Hotel
de Glnk They will not say whether or
not they asked ]. Eads Howe. the mil
Iionaire hobo" 10 buy the property and
install his system. Be that as II may, the
hostclry was converted to the uses of the
fraternity.
The closing five years ago consisted in
bringing in the shutters and barring the
doors. Weeds and grass have grown
about the place, the paint has been
washed of by rains, and II presents
generally dilapidated appearance. Tramps
found that IL met all requirements for an
ideal hotel. Although covered with thick
layers OF dust. the beds are soft and the
hotels seclusion admits OF long sleeping
periods. Only two bathrooms were found
and the doors of these were locked. Ideal
places for poker sessions abound and the
lounges and furniture are all that can be
desired
The patrons led a quiet but Informal
! life. They rarely, II ever. appear on the
koeach and have never been known to
inter the ocean. The price of the rooms
five cents night. with a few excep-
ons The room President Grant occu-
lied brings ten cents a night. and that
resident Harrison used for informal
,eefings Is let at higher figure. The
uests are aware Of the high standard
Il ct for them by former occupants and
L rnly admit those who measure up 10 a
:ertain intellectual standard. The cosmo-
politan atmosphere has been maintained.
patrons registering from all parts Of the
country.
ONCE THOUGHT MAGNIFICENT.
Thus is the hotel now. but II was not
always so. In the memory OF the Oldest
inhabitant OF Cape May Il once repre-
scented the last word In seashore resort
architecture. For many years after 1878,
when II was built. Congress Hall was a
magnet which drew Presidents, states
men. diplomats. financial kings and So
ciety leaders. Cape Mays only rival as
a resort was Saratoga and this was a
bad second. Gay was the life at the Hall.
The social functions were magnificent,
and yet a delightful informal atmosphere
surrounded the place The gossips had
plenty 10 talk about. for did not the
famous Brazilian ambassador stop there
the ambassador who "ogled' the beauties
from an antiquated cab. was arrested and
caused internationals complications TO en-
sue1
II is said by nearby residents that the
owner. a woman. refuses 10 sell. rent or
improve the property because OF alleged
discriminations on the part OF tax as
SCISSORS The report Is that after the Cape
Nay Hotel. the million dollar hotel. went
into The hands OF receivers and was sold
under the hammer for f250.00O. the taxes
were assessed on that basis The taxes
or the Congress Hall property are said 70
have remained the same as when the
I.tIdina vas new. The report "a that the
owner believes she is Disseminated
1kaInst and refuses 70 open up her prop-
~ N revenge.
According 10 residents. the owner left
ne toteI completely furnished and every
<tinf Hst ~ u was for sentimental rea-
sons Nearby residenfs are loud in their
fcnunciation OF her policy and assert that
Il Is KILLING that end OF the beach They
<4< property values have deprecated 70
great extent and viii 90 still lower un-
less the Hotel de Ginkr is replaced BY a
uodefn structure