Correspondence
To the Editor, Buntingford Gazette.
Increase of Vagrants and Tramps to the Buntingford District.
Sir, Many of the townspeople of Buntingford view with concern the report in your last issue of the large number of casuals admitted to the Buntingford Poor Law Institution.
Not content with two meals and a comfortable night's rest at our expense, some of these "Gentlemen of the Road" make a habit of begging at several doors before they leave us in the morning. Recently I have had two tramps call at my house for food or clothing, and I learn that many householders living on the outskirts of the town are troubled every day by tramps.
It is perhaps not realised that good and bad news spread amongest tramps very quickly, and tramps meeting each other on the road will exchange information of the town each are making for, with the result that a household who gives a pair of old boots to a tramp today is almost sure to receive a call from another tramp tomorrow.
I have taken the trouble to ascertain what food the casuals receive on admission to the Buntingford Union, and the following dietary is of interest:
On admission - 8 oz. bread, half an ounce butter, 1 pint tea.
Breakfast - 8 oz bread, half an ounce butter, 1 pint tea, coffee or cocoa.
On leaving - 8 oz bread, 2 oz cheese.
Dinner (for those who are retained) - 8 oz bread, 2 oz cheese, half an ounce butter, 4 oz. potatoes.
In addition to this, each casual is provided with a warm bed, an unlimited supply of hot water for washing and, if the weather is wet, facilities for drying his clothes and boots.
All casuals who are in possession of an army paper or insurance card or anything to show that they are endeavouring to obtain work are allowed to leave the Union without being given any task whatever.
It will be seen by the above that the Buntingford Guardians are dealing with the casuals in a humane manner, and that it is quite unnecessary for any casual to beg for food on leaving the Institution. None of us like to see a fellow countryman down and out, and in these times, when unemployment is so rife, it is a difficult matter to know whether the tramp to whom we gave an old coat is really grateful, or whether he will sell it at the next town.
Since 1st January 1927, nearly 500 casuals have been admitted to the Buntingford Union; the total for the same period last year was less than 60, and while many of the householders continue to encourage tramps the numbers will increase until there is insufficient accommodation at the Union, and the Ministry of Health compel the Guardians to provide additional wards at the ratepayers' expense.
With apologies for taking up so much of your space,
Yours faithfully,
Ratepayer.
Buntingford, Herts, 16th March, 1927.
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