The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-03-05
WORK OF THE SALVATION ARMY.
Why the Army is the Best Administrator
of Charity in San Francisco.

The report of the Salvation Army on
the deserts OF the ap plieant's for charity
under the Robinson bequest fund, which
is distributed annually in San Francisco,
proves two things, says the Argonaut
Fist. that this city has it's full share OF
professional funfortunates, and, sec
ond that alms-giying to do any good
must be done by experienced PERSONS
IT the generosity of the rich were able to
cure poverty, it would have disappeared
long ago. Here, as every where in the
United States, those who have are viii l.
ing, to help those who have not-too will
ing, indeed, for henevolence that is not
discriminating undoubtedly does more
harm than good. This is so well recog
nized that the average Dlan or WON an of
Intelligence who, from kindly impulse or
a sense of duty, desires to aid the poor,
now usually makes use OF the organ
lied charities as an lnstrumentality.
The importuned individual is thus en-
abled to protect himself by referring the
cases of applicants to a these Institutions,
which are supposed to investigate before
bestowing assistance.
But how Systematically the organized
charities are preyed upon here by tne
cunning unworthy is sufficiently indi-
GATED by the admirably explicit report
admitted byCapt. MeFee Of the Saliva
: ton Army, to the mayor If ''dead
beats" did not succeed rs rule in get
ting what they ask for, it is reasonable
to pr esuIne that they would quit the
bust SIS and go to work. The captain
ard his associates are equally thorough
and unsentimental in the manner of
their inquiries and their conclusions.
Experience has cured them of illusions.
Observe how luminously definite they
aIe:-
Mrs. H. D.-Drinks a heap more than
she works Has TWO boys, neither of
whom amounts to much, though one of
them works. The fami ~ as a whole is
not up 80 much.
Mrs. Bias pretty easy brand of
poverty. Tive daughters earn respective
~ $50 and $25 q month. The family
owns a piano, and has every appearance
of being pretty comfortable.
Mrs. A. d. -Undeserving. Lives
quite comfortably, is able to give her
daughter music lessons, and allows her
old mother to do professional begging.
And so on case after case, with name,
address and full particulars. On the
pther hand, we have many instances,
such as follow, reported by the officers
Bf the Army =
Mrs. R.-Poor, friendless and deserv-
ing.
Mrs. E. A. A.-Worthy case all round.
Poor, willing, square.
Mrs Nora Wood old soul. Eighty
two years old and wholly gelf-dependent.
Nearly blind, feeble, but plucky and
not half dead yet.
Miss E.-A maiden lady. Middle-aged,
sick, in great distress. Utterly unable
assist herself. Good blood, good breed
ng, great need.
The value to the community of an or
ganization such as this is obvious. 1t
does at once the work of q police detect
i've and philanthropisf, protecting. the
Ill ro1in f fn Uh9ra
it belongs. Confidence in the Army s
Judgment is strengthened by its power to
make allowances. Not only does 1t sepa
rate the sheep from the goats. nut 1t can
offer for meroiful consideration those
who are neitheI sheep nor goats. MRS,
E. B - being an unredeemed goat, fol
her the Army has no good words. 1t re-
ports: ga fraud. Makes a pretense OF
peddIing to cover more unwholesome
and immoral calling. Hard drinker and
general bsat.n But Mrs. B., though
she has Ter weaknesses, is not without
the pale "Washerwoman. WORKS honestly
and hard. Takes drink occasionally, pul
has only the good will OF her nel1noor s.
She needs assistance" Likewise, Mrs;
NJ G. who. though ''poor, honest, and
willing +" yet bends before hare fabe Go
the extent of drinking, ga pretty oeosh'
woman" and needs help. ~.
her case is, the report says. 's5raigH'
business" Another. mrs. y. ~, !;
all right Poor. commonplace, Smelly. :.
There is no nonsense about such woT <
as this. 1t lets the light right In on 'he
city's gross and unlovely poverty, and in
yites the hoping hand
Probably ,three-fOurths of the money
paid by, good-hearted people under the
belief that thej are relieving distress is
wasted On impostors, drunkards, bu M
mars and calculating beats, male and fe-
male. This waste, and worse
than waste, can be, and ought to be-.
saved. The benevolent societies. wit h
their paid officers, are we'll enough. Int
incomparably the best almoner is The
Salvation Army. On its pratical side II
is in close touch with the lower levels Of
life, whore there is always sufferin .
caused by sheer want. These men ans
women of the Army necessarily become
expert in determining who is ana wbo
is not worthy. They understand humam
nature and have pity fer It's weaknesses
while they learn to be stern toward dis.
honesty and cunning greed. The town
is patroled bv them night and day for tn
give material aid is, if a less conspicnous
a more important part of their religion