Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1921-04-28
TEXAN DRAWS
DARK PICTURE
OF ENGLAND
~ NWM-M NE NW II II
MNVWXU - 4 II n il
Professor Judson Tells OF
Many Ex-soldiers Forced
Into Beggary


conditions in England after the war have
become quite bad" said A. G. Judson.
associate professor Of English in the
University of Texas, who recently re-
turned from year of study in that coun-
try. Industrial troubles have become
prevalent over the world. for that matter.
but In England the depression lis partic-
ularly noticeable. and the number Of the
unemployed is alarming"
DIR. Judson went ON to describe the
various ways In which money was raised
by the unemployed. No great increase
In crime, he said, was due 70 the hard
living conditions.
"Many ex-soldiers who were wounded
in the recent war, or who, though able
bodied. can not find work. resort 10 play
ing hand organs, or barrel organs. as they
are called there. Almost every street
corner has its barrel organ. and a pla-
card telling the mans regiment, number
of wounds. the number In his family, and
requesting n few pennies to help sup
port him and his children Is attached
to the instrument Even officers who
are thrown out of employment by the
hard economic conditions in England are
resorting to the barrel organ. These men
wear little black masks. 40 that they may
not be recognized by the men formerly
under their control. or by their friends.
s'Other groups come around under the
windows of residences and sing. In hopes
that n few coins will he thrown To them.
This method Of serenading Il frequent.
1T is customary for long lines Of
=.
form outside of theatres for an hour or
more before the doors are opened, and
many unfortunates make money by en-
tertaining them while they stand there
waiting. Singing. pantimine. sleight of
hand tricks. and music usually result in n
contribution Of a few pennies each from
the audience.
Before the war there were laws a
gainst begging on the streets ~ London,
but due TO the difficulties cf finding en-
ployment these laws have been repealed,
and the poverty-stricken people from
East End are allowed to 60 in groups TO
West End. the wealthy side os the city.
and beg. Police 70 along with them to
see that the begging is conducted in an
orderly manner.
London IN really a collection of bor-
oughs. and each one has its city hall. or
late. these city halls have been appro-
priatcd at night by those who have no
other place to sleeep, and no attempts
are made at dislodging them.
There is a great deal of labor unrest.
and much more freedom Of press and Of
speech than in this country great
many socialists and Bolshevic theories
are afloat, and soap box orators flour
ish."
Employment Of women. so greatly in
creased during the war. il by now near
ly back To normal. The women who
took mems places in essentially mascu-
line forms Of work during the war have
given them up to the returned soldiers.
There are not even women ticket collec-
tors on the omnibusses now, according
to DIR. Judson.
When questioned about the differen-
ces between the East End Of London
and the East Side Of New York. DIR.
Judson stated that so far as appearance
and living conditions are concerned. the
two famous slum districts are quite sim
liar. but that in London large per cent
Of the East End population IL of pure
British stock. and represents the dregs
Of English life. whereas in New York the
East Siders are mainly foreigners.