King Of Hoboes Visits England

Northern Advocate, 16 April 1938, Page 12

King Of Hoboes Visits England

M EET Mr Jeff Davis, King of tile Hoboes, says the “News Chronicle.” He’s come all the way from Now York to' further the cause of the International Itinerant Migratory Workers’ Union — otherwise America’s hoboes. You’ve seen hoboes in films. They usually look like tramps and take free rides underneath freight trains. But. says Mr Davis, the hobo really isn’t a tramp. Listen further to what he says . . . In Queen Eeis’s Days. “Hoboes.” no told the “News Chronicle.” "are people who either have the wander-lust born in them or thrust upon them. They work to live, and the original hoboes wefe surely the tinkers of England in Queen Elizabeth’s time. "They travelled from place to place doing their job, and they differed in that way from the old tramp and vagabond. Our members include five Senators and seven Congressmen, while Charlie Chaplin was one of the recruits when we started in 1908.”

Mr Davis is anxious to get in touch with Mr Arthur Hayday, M.P.. who is a “Supreme Knight of the Hoboes of America.” "We met some years ago,” Mr Davis said, “and have corresponded since. I hope he will help me to convene a meeting of hoboes from all countries, so that we can all unite.” Five Times Round World. Mr Davis has travelled five times round the world, and until this trip lias always been accompanied by his wife. He was to have crossed the Atlantic in a small cargo boat, but a purse of 800 dollars was put at his disposal by the Chicago Federation. of Labour, so lie travelled third class in the Queen Mary. There are over a million members of his organisation, and some of its objects are to help those who are willing to help themselves, assist runaway boys and induce them to return home, never take advantage of fellowmen or be unjust to others.