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Show H HOUNDING UP THE TRAMPS. H Some of our wise men have evolved tho idea that the H tramps of the country should now be rounded up, drafted H for military service or made to work. One speaker at the H recent International Lyceum association at New York H claim? there are a- million of.them. H A Practical objection is that to round them up would Bk, take such an enormous force of men that it might cost 'as much as the labor of these unwilling workers is worth. But the United States simply can't let this vagrant population popu-lation continue unchecked. Some more of them than usual may now be working, as there are always some who will take jobs for a time in periods of prosperous business. But when the present rush is over, the same old crowd and more too will be at the old hangouts. All observers say that tramp population is increasing. Europeon governments would not let any such floating population roam over the country. They would be jailed and kept there until they knew better. They are a big drag on our production. They all have to be fed and their appearance does not indicate that they eat less than other persons. Many of them are violent and in fits of rage at affronts they destroy property. It is none too soon to begin rounding up these fellows. As suggested, many could be drafted. It is of no use whatever to follow the common practice of driving them out and letting them go free if they will go to the next town. If a few of them were given long jail sentences, instead of short terms for the cold winter months which give them free board just when they want it, it would have a useful effect. 1 One great trouble is that they are in such numbers as to terrorize railroad men so that hey can get free transportation trans-portation by freight cars wherever they want to go. It is about time to treat vagrancy as a serious offense against the social order. I |