The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless ManAnderson, Nels
General
The Hobo: The Sociology of the Homeless Man
Anderson, Nels
Chicago (Ill.) -- Social conditions; Tramps
Now the funny part comes. Quarrels soon arose over trifles,
and the members began calling each other grafters, and
parasites. I was even called a parasite though the only
part I played was to start the project and to encourage
it to operate smoothly. Before six months had elapsed the
co-operative flat was a thing of the past. The men sneaked
away all of the furniture, that of the I.B.W.A. as well as
some that belonged to the members of the group. They hauled
it all away to furnish two small flats. They also left an
eighteen-dollar gas bill which the amateur promoter had to
pay.
* * * * *
The fifth and last experiment is not a case of co-operation
but it illustrates what might be expected from the hobo.
During the winter of 1916 a St. Louis lady, Dr. Innis,
conducted a free dispensary for the “bos” who could not get
hospital treatment. Dr. How paid the bill for conducting
the place. Dr. Innis took a great interest in the migratory
worker and co-operated with us in working out a scheme by
which the hobo could save some money during the summer to
hold him over the winter months. She agreed to receive and
hold in trust all the money that any man would send to
her and in the fall when he came to town turn it over to
him. We got out a lot of letters and cards by which this
correspondence banking could be carried on and about a
hundred and fifty men agreed that it was a good scheme and
that they would take advantage of it.
The result was amusing. Out of all the men who approved the
plan only one sent in any money. That one man sent in one
dollar. Shortly after Dr. Innis got a letter from this man.
He said he was “broke” and would like to have his dollar
back.
* * * * *
My conclusion is that it is impossible to accomplish
anything along co-operative lines and in a democratic
manner. I know the hobo worker fairly well and I tried
patiently to put over schemes that they have, for the most
part, favored, and I worked with fair representatives
of the group, but they will not co-operate. They are
suspicious and selfish when it comes to the final test of
their pet ideas. Co-operative schemes may work but I don’t
think they will be a success along democratic lines.
FAILURE OF HOBO ORGANIZATIONS
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