BEGGARS’ RACKET IN LONDON

Evening Star, Issue 22030, 16 May 1935, Page 11

BEGGARS’ RACKET IN LONDON

There's a beggars' racket in Loudon. Out of every shilling collected by the beggars, eigbtpence goes to bullies for “ protection.” • The street artist treasures his little bit of pavement. The flagstones he uses for his canvas require months of preparation and smoothing before a ‘‘ pitch ” becomes workable. The bully watches this work of preparation with interest. When the artist has settled down he is told he needs protection. If he does not agree to pay his life becomes unbearable. At first little minor irritations, such as a broken bottle of oil, accidentally spilled by a careless boy just after the morning’s work is finished, makes re-drawing necessary.

Soon the artist is glad to have “ protection.” it saves' him from being beaten up on his way home. The bullv has other' side-lines. The artist must buy his chalks and carbon from the boss. Then ho must pay the substitute provided by the bully whenever he loaves his pitch. Pitches which are worked with movable pictures are milked on different lines. There are definite fees, by the hour. The pictures must also be rented from the bully who lets out the pitch. In Hampstead there are teams of street musicians who do their day’s work before 9.30 each morning. Then they go to a coffee shop to pick out winners and pay tax to the bully. Even their bets go to the boss, who gets another rake-off. Certain beggars ate helped by babies or dogs. The price for the hire of a pathetic-looking dog is higher than that paid for dogs; which appeared at big shows. The beggar without a fixed pitch, who sells his matches or picture postcards from bar to bar. is more difficult to control., For these the racket chiefs have “ inspectors ” working on commission. Before any action can bo taken against these people information must be laid against them. Inquiry at Scotland Yard reveals that no such course has been taken by any of (be victims. “So complaints have been made,” said an official.