International Brotherhood Welfare Association

The International Brotherhood Welfare Association (IBWA) was a mutual aid society for hobos founded in 1905–1906.

It was started by James Eads How who had inherited a fortune but chose to live a hobo life.

IBWA was less radical than the IWW, focusing on education and cooperation rather than direct political action.

I want to make the 'hoboes' not only better citizens, but better 'hoboes,' and I want the public to appreciate what the 'beat' is, what his rights are, and how he should be looked upon.Contemporary sociologist Nels Anderson wrote in 1923 that the official program of the IBWA was:[4] A.

G. To bring about the scientific, industrial, intellectual, moral and spiritual development of the masses.The hobo colleges, which How started in several cities, primarily offered lodging and meals, but as the name implies also education and a place to meet.

There would be blankets for sleeping, a washroom and a kitchen, where the hobos cooked their favorite mulligan stew.

[9] The Chicago branch was started by Ben Reitman, and when he was out travelling by Irwin St. John Tucker and the Episcopal minister Michael C. Walsh.

Radical members of the IBWA, also started the Migratory Workers Union in 1918 with financing by How who was otherwise a moderate, but it was largely defunct by 1922.