The loss of life and limb on account of hobos riding trains and trespassing on the right-of-way, and the consequent financial and economic loss to the country and the railroads, is appalling. The reports for all railroads during 1919 show: Trespassers killed 2,553 Trespassers injured 2,658 ----- Total 5,211 And during 1920: Trespassers killed 2,166 Trespassers injured 2,362 ----- Total 4,528 During 1921, on the Illinois Central and the Yazoo and Mississippi railroads, 98 trespassers were killed and 221 injured. How many of these persons killed were actually hobos, perhaps even the railroads could not say. To the railroad officials anyone is a trespasser on railroad property who is not a patron or an employee. On the other hand, all the instances of tramps killed or injured on the railroad are not recorded. In a communication of August 2, 1922, to the Homeless Man Committee, W. P. Riggs, chief special agent of the American Express Company, says in part: On our more important exclusive trains we have inspectors employed to ride them for the purpose of keeping tramps and other unauthorized persons off such trains. As in the past we have suffered serious loss through such parties breaking into our sealed cars and robbing them. There have also been instances where parties under the guise of tramps beating their way around the country turned out to be real bandits, who would at the opportune time hold up the mail clerks and messengers. The tramp situation is the worst in this section during the spring, summer, and fall; yet we also have more or less trouble with them in winter months. Generally speaking, we do not receive much assistance from civil authorities in combatting tramps. J. H. Hustin, Jr., superintendent of property protection for the New York Central Railroad, writes the committee as follows: It is the endeavor of our police officers to keep the tramp off our right-of-way. Many of our freight trains on the Western territory are protected by police officers enroute between terminals, and it is part of their duty to keep such train riders off our trains. Usually the tramp is placed under arrest and taken before the local authorities for disposition. During the spring and fall we experience most of our difficulties with train riders, especially in connection with the opening and closing of navigation. In general, we receive the co-operation of the city authorities. When business is quiet and a large number of men are out of work, we obtain little direct assistance from the local police and courts; while, when business is good and there is little unemployment, such co-operation is very satisfactory. THE CIVIL AUTHORITIES AND THE TRAMP