The herald., 1897-03-16
How the Salvation Army Copes
With the Question
BooTh-TUcKER's ADDRESS
The Colony Plan AMI lis Working 10
Large Cities
The Commissioner Pleads for chancs to Be
Given the Poor to Work-what the
Local Forces Have Done

church last evening proved an appro-
pirate finale to the series of meetings
held In this city under the direction of
their able commander, BoothTucker.
At previous meetings there was much
of the army work and hallelujah style,
that did not give time for an extended
discourse or sermon. Last evening the
commander showed his ability to handle
ore OF the most important questions
that confronts the whole people today,
the cause of poverty and a probable
cure.
Although an admission fee was
charged, the church was filled to over
flowing at the hour of s o'clock. The
band and the soldiers were seated near
the front. with officers on the platform
When Commander BoothTucker en-
tered with Mayor M. p Snyder the, army
arose and greeted them with q shout
OF welcome, the volume Of sound being
increased by the band. Lieut.. Col.
keppel opened the meeting with a few
remarks, referring to the presence of the
mayor, and the pleasure 1t gave him to
Introduce him as presiding officer of the
meeting. At his command the soldiers
fired volley" In honor of Mayor Sny-
der.
After mugic by the band and the war
song, Salvation for You," Rev. A. c.
Smithers, pastor of the First Christian
church, made a very earnest prayer.
Mrs. Capt. Fields followed with an orig
inal Salvation solo, entitled, Past and
Present"
Mayor Snyder them made brief OPEN
ing address, which was well worded and
timely. His acceptance of the request
OF the salvation army to preside a the
meeting was because he was always
ready to do anything he could to for
~ ana hat + Co. 80
aim the betterment of mankind He felt
willing at all times to- do anything In his
power to relieve the distressed and
worthy poor and he believed there was
now spirit Of unity growing among the
people that would bring forth better re-
suits in the godd cause than ever has
beer done before. In times past GER
tain reserve or jealousy has existed
among certain classes Of people, notably
the churches, that prevented concerted
| action. Now they were working to-
gether for the relief of the brother In
distress. even though he did not be-
long to their church or society. He en-
dorsed the work of the Salvation army,
| and said the people were ready to as
sist them in their good work of helping
the poor The influence of the army
was felt in this city. AS the executive he
bade them welcome and God-speed.
| Commander Booth-Tucker then came
forward and with appreciative words
for the mayor and an apology for
hoarseness in his voice. began his ad-
dress. He opened his subject, which
was the pauper problem. by referring
| to the extent that poverty affects the
| entire nation, and thought the individ-
ual who was not seriously interested In
| the question was devoid OF the first
| principles of humanity as well as wis
| dom. There had been no organized ef-
fhrnrrOhnrff rnfp 20 rAIf
| the distressed condition of mankind.
The commander had been in
| formed by reliable statistican that at
least one-tenth of the population of the
| world, or 150, 100000 souls. were now in
absolute want. He pointed out the
course taken by European countries in
the past In trying to punish poverty and
incident crime by force of law and arms,
but now more pacific policy was found
| to bring better results. The Christian
churches should unite in overcoming
this great demon. poverty. which creates
many a criminal. Unless they did so,
the result, he feared would be more
dynamiters and other crimes. The av
erage number Of criminals in our pris
ons today was $4,000. Five times that
number, or 425,0C0. pass through the
prisons yearly. The number of pau
pers on any given day is $4,000. Forty
per cent OF the paupers at large public
institution near New York were pro-
nounced able to work. and would not
have gone there II they could have Sc
cured 1t.
The social body was diseased. The
city was the heart ard lungs and they
were clogged with paupers' and crimi-
mails and there was no channel for them
to pass through The nation should see
that the social BODY Is cleansed and
channel prepared for the pauper and
criminal element to flow out upon the
land and become good and self-support-
ing citizens.
TIE Salvation army plan was an
agency in the work desired, hut there
were others and all should unite and
make the work general. Christian help
wes needed. for not only the circum-
stances surrounding the individual but
his character must often be changed.
The city colony plan of the Salvation
army deals with the poor IN the large
cities by sections. each class being con-
sidered according to their position.
Separate shelters are provided for men
and women; food depots are attached to
some OF them. Then there are work
yards, where men are allowed to earn
small sum daily, sufficient to supply nee
esseries for themselves or family until
| they can obtain other employment
| Labor bureaus are also conducted.
Salvage brigades are provided which
| collect from houses desirable waste food.
| Seventy rescue homes have cared for
| 10000 fallen girls. IS per cent Of whom
have been reformed. The Prison Gate
home has taken in 5000 convicts as
| they came forth from prison and large
| percentage OF them have been led into
| good lives. Vacant lot farms are con-
Quoted near the great cities Lots are
given rent free and poor people raise
vegetables and other products upon
them. Larger lots are obtained In
some sections, and the result Is that
majority of the poor but honest tillers
! Of the soil become In time Independent
| In their existence. Many of them take
| up larger farms in the country. The
| desire OF the army was to increase the
number of there farms for the poor. 1t
l.was a good proposition for the tax
| payer and the business man. All
should cooperate, in the movement to
| help the poor to help themselves.
| The work OF the army In Los Angeles
since January had been as follows:
| Families visited and assisted, los; num-
| her of applications received for assist
| ance from single and married. 47S: value
Of food given, $43.15; clothing given, 006
| pieces. valued atAs2ss.s0; fuel. $S.10
Assistance In the.work Of the army in
this city was asked and considerable
number OF vouchers were received. A.
/ ter prayer BY Mrs. Col. Keppel, the
meeting clored by singing Nearer Ny
M <<,,r y, ! !, a<r s.,n 49,. n->-> n...-.