The Detroit times., 1917-07-19
The Indolent
~ "a. ApDIN0roN BRUCE
Author 81 The Riddle OF Person
Atty" Psychology and
Parenthood." etc.

II. IN line with +. T.. Rittenhouse's
suggestion health camps are estab-
nshed for the reconstructing Of men
whom military examiners ind physi-
cally unfit. there is one type OF man
TO whom such camps would be OF
J exceptional benefit This is the man
who persists in refusing 10 work.
Most people assume that men OF
this sort-the tramps. the Migrants.
the ne'er-do-wells of every kind who
ingest civilized society-can best be
handled by punitive methods. They
assume that habitual idleness Is due
mainly 60 stubborn peryersity.
In many eases 10 may be But the
fact remains thai punitive methods
generally fail 10 accomplish the de-
sired end And for this there Is ade-
Quate reason In the physical condi-
flon ~ the oilers
Some years ago committee Of
French scientists carefully examined
q large number OF Partisan Migrants
Many OF these seemed 20 be IN the
hest OF health. were heavy and TO.
bust looking
In nearly avery case however. n
was discovered that they were men
afflicted with peculiar weakness OF
The nervous system characterized by
q slow heartbeat. low blood pres
sure. and poor circulation AS
consequence they tired easily
Thus their idlencss was. psychic
logically speaking a defense reac-
ton They instinctively loafed 10
conserve their feeble resources
The findings OF these French
scientists have never attracted the
attention they deserve, Today. with
the nation az war. they certainly
are worth taxing into serious con
sheraton
Man power is IN unapproached de-
mand The feeling is widespread
that everybody must work az some
thing Drastic action against oilers
- urged n many quarters There
alreaNy has been some special leg
isla'ion aimed ~ them
And against wholly wllful idlers
drastic action should be taken But.
first the physical fitness OF the
oilers should De ascertained
II an idler, when physically exam.
med IL found 70 % conditioned like
he Partisan Migrants. surely the
wise course is not 20 punish him
FOR idlinE but 20 AZ him for work.
Geo. And Nh Rlftcnhouse's proposed
health camps would do much TO &C
Complish his There the !iler
would be taken IN hand. given what
ever medicine he needs upbuilt by
good food and outdoor exercise and
disciplined 10 apply himself 10 work
Some such action "A this, ! sub
init Is the right action FOR the pres
ent emergency.
II will cost money but IN the end
u viii save FAR more money than Il
costs II would Dc a paving invest
ment u ~ ala no more than appre-
ciahly reduce the present economic
burden imposed nv the presence OF
ono class OF oilers alone--tramps
IN he United States. II has been
estimated. 'Lere are az least 10000
tramps. enfailing on the nation an
economic waste running into mil
lions OF dollars every year One IN
vestigator puts ~ az 500 600
Persecution and coercion have
failed 20 solve tho tramp problem
IN 20 light OF what tho French
scientists have discovered. the
health camp must be accounted
likely % contribute much 20 It's solu-
tion and 20 the solution OF tho
problem Of habitual idleness In gen
eral
Gfve-thc health camp chance 70
prove It's social and economic worth