LIFE ON THE ROADS
[To the Editor of THE SPECTATOR] SIR,—My attention has been called to the article "Concerning Casuals : Life on the Roads," published in your issue of April 29th last, which contains erroneous and misleading statements likely to create a wrong impression concerning Casual Wards in the minds of your readers.
It would appear that the writer of the article has refrained from obtaining information easily available to the public to support his statements, many of which are absolutely incorrect, for example :
(r) That tramps must walk " to to 15 miles every day," whereas under present regulations casuals admitted to the wards must continue in the ward two nights and a day.
(2) "Vermin of all kinds are common," whereas in fact all verminous clothing is fumigated on admission to the wards, and it is obligatory on the casual to have a hot bath on the day of entry. (3) "Under-nourishment is widespread." This is not so, as very careful consideration is given to the question of diet, which is amply sufficient for nourishment on up-to-date medical standards. Moreover, in most instances the wayfarer in the wards receives the same diet at the midday meal as the ordinary person in the Public Assistance Institution.
The author of the paper has also not taken the trouble to ascertain and describe the remedial work which is now done by Vagrancy Authorities and voluntary associations sup- ported by them.
(a) The Vagrancy Authorities take active steps in con- junction with the local Education Committees to remove to permanent homes all children from the road.
(6) They offer to aged casuals a home in their institutions where the old people of the locality are housed and maintained.
(c) They contribute largely to voluntary associations for the maintenance of Hostels for Wayfarers which help young men to forsake the life of the road and to obtain permanent employ- ment. In this area during the year ending March, 1938, 366 men were admitted to these Hostels, and of these 184 were sent to employment.
Whilst it may be that the writer of the article is correct as to certain of the reasons for people going on the road, it is a fact that there is now full opportunity given for all suitable cases desiring to give up tramping to enter these Hostels and obtain regular employment.—Yours faithfully,
A. L. HOBHOUSE,
Chairman, South Western Joint Vagrancy Committee. St. Peter's Hospital, Bristol.
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