South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-04-28


But we're on cur way
Those discharge papers far from
erased that song or It's effect from
the minds Of thousands Of veterans
who toured America and France II
columns OF squads. Now that spring
Is here the old exodus and its op-
posite are working overtime while
men come and men 90. and the
Red Cross. Latient mother Of way
ward les soldats and les soldass
apres. which doesn't really mean A
blinkin' thing. is paying the freight.
Feeling that South Bend bears
white chalk "easy marks" on all its
four or more city gates. the Ameri-
can Legion, the Red Cross and other
organizations prey to the Nomad
are clamping down the screws In
favor OF IAPorte, Elkhart or other
hospitable cities in the neighbor-
hood. Lack or funds and lack o.
time, plus simple fatigue over being
buncoed and hoodwinked unmerci-
fully IS working the worthy III and
the unworthy iller 20 use the King =
English.
One Hundred Cases I'm Month.
During this month Of April over
100 different transients have Gale
al the Red Cross for assistance, and
OF this number. SO have been given
actual assistance in some line. Mos.
OF these men having learned TO seek
the Red Cross when broke" or lou;
OF luck" come voluntarily, while
many others are referred by the
American Legion, Associated Chart
ties. Salvation Army. Y. NJ. c. A.
Chamber OF Commerce and inter
ested individuals.
Some come in dimdently, embar-
raised at having to ask aid, while
others come feeling the country
owes them 2 living since they helped
defend II. Some come and threateI.
n not assisted. they will be forced
10 steal or knock some citizen over
the head for funds. Methods OF ap-
proach are as varied as the Apph-
cants. Their ages average from Is
20 35: their period OF military serv-
ice from three months 10 three
years. and most OF them have no.
had steady work from one TO six
months.
Most Of the men are single. but
a Few have families being cared for
some way while they look about IN
search OF work. They come through
from California. New Jersey, New
York Louisiana, Minnesota and
Canada. although the majority
come from Detroit. Chicago, IN
dianapolis and Cleveland. They
ride the bumpers. bum rides with
touring Automobiles. or walk IN
Sometimes some well meaning but
unthinking organization Will fur
nish car fare for the man TO CONS
20 South Bend. where he has neithe-
a job nor friends.
Stories Are About Same.
The stories are all about the same
-"out Of funds and out of work.
Details vary as told by the suave
smooth individual or the uncouth
grufr stranger. but their usual re
quest Is for a loan. Loans are asked
for on the strength Of state and fed
sraI bonus which have never beer
approved by legislatures. and ad
vances are asked on money which
will not be due them for two years
II is the policy OF the Red eros.
IN dealing with these foaters. neve
TO give out the actual money. but q
limit assistance TO the actual ma
terial relief needed II mar
wishes loan for food ne is instead
given an order 20 the Kable restau
rant or the Y. NJ. c. A. where h,
can secure the meal Arrangement
the price OF meals. II he need
lodging he has his bed guaranteed
at the Y NJ. Dominion Rest Off col
ored). Portage hotel or some pri
waite rOoming house.
II work can be secured for hin
tand every effort is made 20 do this
his maintenance is guaranteed unit
his first pay day. when an order OF
his nav settles his Indebtedness q
the Red Cross.
II he wants transportation TO hi
home town where he can be Care'
for or has a job. the man IS care
for while a wire is sent to verif
his story and the fact that his nom
Red Cross or relatives viii author
ize transportation, and then he
given a ticket home a4[ lunch
meals are necessary while enroute
AS the civil war left a train O
tramps. our recent world war seem
10 have developed a new type o
wanderer. who does not humiliat
himself 20 beg his food from doc
20 door. but resorts 10 the NOR
dignifed way OF appealing TO III
Red Cross. The Red Cross does nc
wish 20 be a party 10 encourSg
these knights Of the Road. so e'
cry effort Is made II the men hay
no ties or responsibilities else
where 20 get them 10 settle her
and make South Bend their perma
nent home. In some cases by con
slant announcement the men hav
STAYED on st work for even as lon
as two months. but invariably a
soon as they have accumulated fund
enough % travel on. they go.
Send Cases 10 Red Cross.
Hundreds OF interesting stories ca
be told concerning these "gcntleme
tramps:" many OF them are humor
Gus. some piuful the majority drol
Usually informing them that thei
case must be investigated ends IN
interview. except for a TRADE q
abuse This only In unworthy caset
The Red Cross IS doing a big wor
here and over the country for tina
matter. No organization Is equippe
10 30 thoroughly handle this sltua
ton. which a ticklish one az bes
individuals arc urged 20 send a
such cases direct 20 the Red eros
headquarters IN the court house. 10
ahnlr MN a farw "a we'll 2 /. The ia q