Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1916-04-28

w ASHINGTON, D c., April 24.-UntiI a
w time the pretty town of Glenwood
Springs. Colorado, suffered from a veritable
plague tramps Located upon branches of two
transcontnentaI lines, just about halfway be-
tween Denver and Salt Lake City it had become
varities of great fraternity
that travels without funds They gathered about its
water tanks and coal chutes which were carved and
the strange symbols of their fraternity;
they petty crimes and frightened women and
children and above ALL they begged Genwood Springs
among them for its generosity. The
housewives of the town fed almost all Corners, and
ever their numbers grew At last the nuisance and
burden became intoerable Two powerful organiza-
of Genwood Springs, the board of aldermen and
league. concentrated their combined
intellects and talents the problem and this is the
way they solved it,
When the next hobo hit Glenwood Springs ne found
posted on the water tank great placard informing
him that he would apply to city
police, he would given city,
and that for two hours work he could have either 20
meal a lodging for the night. Now, when the
typical and professional knight Grant of the box
this legend, he snorted and boarded another
freight. Or perhaps he about his usual solicita
ton of refreshments If so, he found on the back
of that had long been famous for
handouts other big pacards which stated that the in
mates were prohibited by the city authorities from
feeding vagrants and repeating that suggestion about
working for the city.
1t was a painful experience for the professional
wearies, especially since Genwood Springs is the only
stop worth while between Denver and Salt Lake. But
not all OF the drlrtefS who pass through GIenWoOd
Springs Cor any other town. of that class which
makes idleness a religion and work crime. There
also numerous who work. hoboihg
the country in search of it, When these
Glenwood signs, they hailed with joy the chance
square meal often they applied for permanent
employment, and places have been found many o
them ranches in the vicinity of the town
city clerk has become employment bureau
tramp nuisance is
Thus Glenwood Springs solved its unemployed prob
lem and in doing, it unconsciously applied three
principles which students of the question
lutely necessary to success. In the place.
who wanted to work were separated from those
either couldn't wouldn't work. place,
bureau was established bring the applicants
work together and find them jobs the third place
city work provided those who could not ba
otherwise employed
The experience of winter of 1914-15
all thoughtful Americans taht unemployment they
a problem and that it is primarily problem
the cities little and big Most of the monetary loss
falls on cities In the winter of 1914-15 there
were at times million out of Figure
loss for yourself Next to the unemployed
men, the burden fell heavily on the city
merchants the of decreased buying power,
and many bankruptcies result
again cities suffered. Their police contend
with the offenders, their jails support Them just
their charitable institutions had to support thousands
paupers. Every unemployed is a burden a
menace to some American city. If you taxpayer