Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1918-05-05
BY JAMES b. MORROW.


q .AZY men and idle youths. in
three states. at least, hereto
= fore supported by wives and
g mothers. fathers and brothers and
by sisters and daughters in manp in
stances, are being compelled to go to
work. Constables. town marshals and
city policemen are visiting railroad
stations. tobacco stores. bowling alleys,
poolrooms, saloons and other harbors
and are taking note of the habitual
frequenters at those resorts. Corner
loafers also in large places are hav-
ing their names written into tho reg
listers Of the police.
a The theory in West Virginia, Mary
land and New jersey 10 that all men.
except those who are i'll or advanced
in years, should take some part t., IN the
Fight or work." Ii the order, and the
order has taken the form of statutory
law. Custorari1y, the loafer COMPLAINS
that Il have never had chance: BY
chance, he means high wages. with all
OF the night in which to spend them.
He has been given a chance in three
states named herein.
Occasionally there is a loafer whose
talent in the way Of finding an excuse
for his idleness takes a new turn. Long
ago Terence v. Powderly. a worker all
his life, and now an officer of the gov
ernment, visited the home Of his an
cestors in Ireland.
Il rode in jaunting-car." he said.
II had always wanted to ride In
iauntinE-car, but when I am in Ireland
in oh a a Ill.
against which leaned a big man. smok-
How old is that WALTZ asked.
ct don't know. the man replied. with
a brogue that was no better than my
own. 1T was here when was born
he said.
quired. 1t seems strong enough to
stand alone
That's my habit he answered.
well / said. it is a blanked bad
habit. Why don't you go to work"
Because and he took the pipe out
the English laws won't let the Irish
work." soy
Most states, perhaps. have statutes
bearing on vagrancy. Two years ago
Wet Virginia. by special act Of its
legislature. practically classified all Idle
and ablebodied men between. the ages
Of sixteen and sixty years as Migrants.
Students, of course. were excepted. II
a man in West Virginia who Is phys
ically capable Of earning his own living
and the living of those dependent upon
him does not regularly engage in some
lawful business profession, occupation
S S9 f sa st east
and MAY be sentenced to: work for sixty
days on the roads or streets.
The law OF Maryland, enacted later.
is more perfect statute. 1t was passed
as a war measure and was written by
Albert e. Richie. attorney general of
the state. with the help Of DIR. Frank
:. .Gondnow. president Of Johns Hop
constitutional questions.
In Maryland work Is found for idle
men between the ages Of eighteen and
fifty. The unemployed are compelled to
they may belong, and arrest follows II
they neglect to do SO. The law has
been in operation since last August.
An AId iais, man having hN registered. Is given
state supervision. by some farmer. or
manufactures. Strikers who have left
their work and are engaged in a con-
come within the operations Of the act.
Nor is the law ever In force unless by
a proclamation of the governor. In
every case the man an compelled to be
wages and may quit his place any
time. provided only that he obtains
work elsewhere"
Il \
Idle persons can be assigned to the
following occupations: Agricultural
and horticultural work Of all kinds;
cannery work of all kinds; state, coun-
ty and Baltimore city road and street
work OF all kinds; work of all kinds
done in hospitals. box factories and
shipyards; work OF all. kinds done in
~ M hA1S o1F
of the United States In connection with
the prosecution of the present war and
work of all kinds done by the state OF
Maryland itself in the prosecution of
the war;
That the law was not aimed wholly At
them can be seen by section J, wherein
IT. IL stated that "all persof,s able to
SUPPORT. themselves by rssson of own