Tramp Problem Discussed by Ex-Poor Law Guardian

From Our Own Correspondent
LEEDS.
Catholic opinion would not be unfavourable to getting tramps off the road if the right methods are adopted, and the tramp is given a reasonable opportunity to rehabili
tate himself as a useful citizen. But the Yorkshire Casual Poor Assistance Committee, who have decided to ask the Minister of Health to undertake the solution of the tramp problem do not strengthen their case by the allegation that many young men are taking to the road in order to dodge the Army.
The county's own statistics are the best answer to that charge. In one night recently in all Yorkshire casual wards there were only three men betweer the ages of 25 and 30.
LABOUR CAMPS
The scheme which seems to find acceptance is the formation of committees to Interview casuals and urge them to attend training centres, although one Alderman favoured the " total abolition of roamers."
He did not explain how this was to be brought about, but presumably he favoured compulsory labour camps.
He did say, however, that casuals over 65 " should be given supplementary pensions and settled in institutions."
What good the pension would be under these circumstances be failed to explain.
My own experience of tramps is that very few of them are work-shy. The tasks they are obliged to fulfil in the casual wards in return for a night's lodging, and the meagre fare doled out to them, is evidence of that.
Most of them have gone on the road as a result of unemployment, and the nomadic existence has become second nature to them. A few are born tramps and will remain so.
The majority mentally and physically belong to the C3 class. They have thrown up the sponge from sheer incapacity rather than wilful perversity. There is no criminal strain in their character.
4,000 Martyrs
Definite statistics of persecutions in Spain under the Reds show 4,000 martyrs among whom were twelve bishops and one administrator. Of these, 270 were murdered in Barcelona diocese, 321 in Toledo, and 251 in Madrid. These figures were given in a broadcast by Vatican Radio to India and Ceylon.