Americus times-recorder. [volume] (Americus, Ga.) 1891-current, 1901-04-18
THE SALVATION ARMY.

The various corporations comprising
the great steel trust have heretofore
spent about $500, 200 year for the sup
port of employees who have been wholly
or partia ly disabled by accidents. The
average pension is S. a week, which
amounts to $3.50 year or So, 500 for ten
years. The Pennsylvania Railroad
also spends about 5000, 900 year for
the same purpose, and so does the
Northwestern Railway. These three
concerns expend about 100000 year
IN this way and other corporations also
spend large amounts for similar pur-
poses. Commander Booth tucker, of
the Salvation Army,l is negotiating with
Pierpont Morgan, President Schwab
and others with q view of taking charge
of these pensioners and their families,
locating them in Its colonies on Wes-
tern lands, providing them with COM
Portable homes and ten acres of land
for $500 for each family This money
is not to be gift but loan to the
Salvation Army, which guarantees its
repayment with per cent interest to
the steel trust with the understanding
that it is to be used for the location of
other families upon similar conditions.
some of the large corporations pay out
many thousands of dollars annually in
pensions to employees and to insurance
companies to guarantee them against
suits for damages brought by employ
es. Commander Tucker, it is stated,
'argues that this is all wrong because
the benefits derived are not permanent,
but only temporary, and the general
result is to encourage the recipients Of
these charities to seek q living without
labor. The pension stops when the
pensioner dies, and that is when 1t is
most needed and his family has nothing
to show for it, If the money that is now
paid in the form of pension, say $3.50
year, had been advanced for invest
ment in home and farm, the widow
and children of the pensioner would
not only have permanent shelter and
means of support but an incentive &c
labor and a stimulus to their ambition
He argues that the 5000, 900 paid an.
nuslly in pensions to idle persons by
the Pennsylvania Railroad would, in
ten years provide 1,O46 families, or an
average of 5000 souls, with comforta.
BILE homes, heaIthfuI and productive
farms and means of permanent sup
port This he believes to be an exper.
Iment worth trying, and the manner in
which he has presented the case has
commanded the serious attention OF
the great corporations.
The Salvation Army is the object
of many thoughtless jibes and jeers,
but however some of its methods may
be regarded it is an organization which
has accomplished much good in the
world. It is a great and practical
charity which has reached and help
ed thousands which other religious or
CARNATIONS have failed or neglected to
reach, and Its business affairs are con-
Quoted with wise system and business
judgment. It has clothed and fed
thousands, redeemed many from the
gutter and evil ways and has put hope
and courage into the hearts of many
whose lives seemed hopelsssIy clouded
1t encourages neither beggary nor
1dleness, but promotes industry and
thrift. 1t is not an organization of
drones or dreamers. Among the re-
ligious orders and charities of the world
the Salvation Army holds an hon
ored place. II is deserving of profound
respect.