The Portland daily press., 1896-01-09

l.
A friend for Christmas present, 500
Total, $780, O5
Ensign Walker, in command OF the Sal
walton Army corps of this city, was then
introduced and delivered an interesting
address. He spoke of incidents connected
with the work of the army in this city,
and presented some statistics showing
what the army is doing here. He has
been In command of the Portland corps
for the past three months, and during
that time has.led seventy-two open air,
and one hundred and seventeen indoor
meetings, with an attic ndance Of 9.549,
and there has been an attendance of
officers and soldiers of the army of /, 1873;
sixty three have been converted. The
income for the three months reached a
grand total of S267. SO or 500 81 a week,
and the expenses have averaged s22. 90.
This does not on the face look like very
bad showing, but Mr.. Walker explained
that the first duty of Salvation army
officer is to pay all the bills, and that
until this is done he cannot draw his
own salary. A married officer is allowed
to draw $40 week providing there is
expenses of the corps. 1t will be seen that
to make up the difference between re-
ceipts and expenses would be rather a
serious matter with Mr.. Walker.
He spoke Interestingly of what the army
is doing, and of some of the many cases
of no odo familiar
with.
The subject of "What shall we do with
the tramps?" was taken up and it was
suggested that it might be we'll to
establish in this city food and shelter
depot in connection with wood yard,
the idea being that when Weary Higgins
or Dusty Rhodes applied for food they
could be directed to place where their
wants would be supplied, where they
would get good and we'll cooked food,
and a warm place in which to sleep,
coupled with the condition of working in
payment for what they received.
1t was argued that while there are
some and perhaps many instances in
which men ask for food who ought not to
be turned away, it would be better for all
concerned if SOME place could be provided
where applicants for help could earn
| what they received whether it actually
paid the first cost nor not. The good
ladies present were not unacquainted
with the Wandering Willies, and did not
have unbounded faith that many of that
class would accept food and shelter If
furced to work in payment, but at the
same time they did believe that it is not
right to turn away man who Is actual
ly anxious for work, and so they believe
that the proposed shelter depot would be
good thing for the city, and for all
honest applicants, while the real pro-
fessional tramps would probably in any
case refuse such aid.
| 1t is not proposed to have anything
very elaborate. Only some place where
sleeping accommodations of the plainest
sort could be provided, with plenty of
plain well cooked food, and where the
wood yard would be close by the depot.
1t was decided to try and see what re-
ception the idea would meet with at the
hands Of the officers Of the presenl
charitable organizations of the city, and
q committee consisting of Mrs. Fletcher,
Mrs Carter and Miss Hobbs, was ap-
pointed to confer with them and with
Mayor Baxter regarding the plan.
''It is all wrong as things are now,'
said an earnest lady after the meeting
adjourned. people give now so as to be
sure that they are not refusil help te
some one who deserves it, but in toe
many cases they are deceived. If maj
is out of work he will be ready and will
ing to work for what he receives, but il
he's simply tramp he will not work ant
so that will end it.
The county tax of Portland was ovel
S25, 600. The city began the New Yea