LONDON BEGGARS HOPE FOR CORONATION HARVEST

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 19 September 1936, Page 9

LONDON BEGGARS HOPE FOR CORONATION HARVEST

KEEPING “OUTSIDERS” OFF THEIR PITCHES (By Air Mail—From A Special Correspondent'! , ' LONDON, 15th August. London beggars, the majority of whom constitute a highly-organised racket, are already preparing for the Coronation rush. With all the world trekking to London they anticipate the alms-haul of a lifetime. But the Coronation magnet will also attract, “outsiders” from every town in the country, and . from overseas as well. So London beggars are laying their plans well ahead. '*• „ Every beggar in the “Magic C.rcle - three-mile radius,, from Charing Cross—with' an established, pitch, or who is on the recognised “strength will have his ground assured him. Interlopers will be effectively barred.. That means that pavement artists, match-sellers, verse-purveyors, even “the price of a bed, chum?” merchant can work without competition upon a greater number of prospects. In return for the chance of increased revenue, they will have, to pay more for “protection.” "Protection” includes not only the reservation of each individual pitc * but the supply' to the “owner,’ at a price, of course, of; the tools of his trade —laces, drawings, musical instruments. toys, verses, and even dogs •for the blind.