HOBOES CONVENTION OPENS IN PHILLY
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (JFK+50) On July 3, 1926, Associated Press reports that the "City of Brotherly Love" is hosting a "hobo* convention."
The International Brotherhood Welfare Association and the Hoboes Union have arrived in town via freight trains.
AP says that only two individuals are "official delegates," but there are many others who are "without credentials."
The delegates, official or otherwise, will discuss old-age pensions, unemployment insurance and a shorter work day.
Unlike "tramps," the hoboes insist they are quite willing to take employment when offered.
*hobo is a migrant worker who travels from place to place seeking employment. Hoboes originated in the United States after the Civil War & during the Great Depression. They traveled by stowing away on freight cars & living in temporary camps called "hobo jungles."
JFK+50 NOTE
Hoboes, tramps & bums, oh my!
Hoboes indeed do work and travel. Tramps, as stated above, travel but do not work. Bums, by contrast, do neither.
We sometimes hear someone say "throw the bums out" in reference to members of Congress. Since bums do not travel, it would be more accurate to say "throw the tramps out" since members of Congress may not work but they certainly do travel.
SOURCE
"Hoboes Meet in Philadelphia to Study Old Age Pensions and Shorter Hours," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 3, 1926, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/
