The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-04-02
GENERAL BOOTHS VISIT
SALVATION ARMY LEADER GREET
ED By IMMENSE AUDIENCE.
The Work of His Great Religious In
Observation-Disclosures in This COun-
try-His Sons Army.

Probably the most unique and imposing
figure in religious life to-day entered the
city yesterday in the person of Gen. Will
liam Booth, the head of the Salvation Army
of the world. The magnificent institution
erected by him bears testimony to the vigor
and rugged determination of purpose in the
general. In person he is, in spite of his
years and infirmties. still vigorous, par
ticularly when in action and speech. His
venerable and kindly face is framed in a
thick growth of snow-white hair and beard,
and the prevailing feature of his presence
is kindly henevolence.
The general was accompanied by his SON
in-law, American Commander Booth-Tuck-
er, and staff, and when a reporter called on
him requesting a short talk he, after
pleading extreme weakness and exhaustion,
cheerfully granted it. Aside from the sta
tistics contained in his address given be-
low, he spoke most warmly and enthus-
iastically of his new schemes for the bet
terment of mankind in this country. The
establishment of two colonies before he
leaves for England is an assured thing. One
will be located $50 miles east Of San Fran
cisco, in a good farming country. Here, be-
side farming, industries of all descriptions
will from time to time be established and
no one can even imagine what the end of
the scheme may lead to. Another colony
will be established in Colorado, but not
being familiar with the geography of that
particular portion of the country he could
not accurately namel the location.
About 100000 will be required to give the
scheme a start, and of this amount $45 900
has already been raised in the East by vol
untary subscription, with like amount
promised by influential men in California
and Colorado.
Every chance will here be given for a
man to earn a place for himself in the
world, and the scheme can be improved
upon and broadened from time to time as
experience warrants.
Continuing, the general said that the new
plan of disposing Of city reruse from the
streets through the army rescue workers
was to be put into operation in every city
in the country if possible. The scheme not
only provided temporary work for needy
men, but was a means for the permanent
elevation of the men by army spiritual
work and association, he said. In London
$50 men work on the streets in this way,
gathering all sorts of refuse, which is sort
ed and sold from army workshops The
plan mas Just been adopted in Chicago and
New York, and is working satisfactorily.
HIS SONS MOVEMENT.
With regard to his relations with his son.
Darlington Booth, the head of the Volun-
teers of America, the general stated that
they remained the same, and that the army
would simply go ahead and do the work laid
out for 1T and pay no attention to the Vol
unteers, unless, as he added, they should
want to come back to the fold, in which
case they would be welcomed with open
arms. They each had their field and did
not need to conflict, as there was more
work to do than both. together could ac-
complish. Pleading the fatigue of much
work and travel for a man of his age, the
general graciously bowed his visitor out
with the customary army God bless you -
to snatch few hours rest and take the
he will pass through another day of tension
and labor.