The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1905-03-20
VOLUNTEERS'LEADER
TALKS OF HIS PLANS
Work of the Society in Past
and Future Described by
Gen. Booth


Darlington Booth OF the Volunteers OF
America explains the love and rever-
ence borne him by not only the people
OF his own faith. but by all with whom
he comes in contact.
Standing 6 feet inches tall. slen-
der and erect, with a well formed
head, surmounted with a thick cover
ing of dark hair, slightly tinged with
gray, Gen. Booth presents a command
ing figure that fully explains his won-
derful success as commander in chief
of the Volunteers of America.
Speaking rapidly, yet enunciating
each word clearly, Gen. Booth, with all
the earnestness exhibited by him when
occupying the public rostrum, talked
to The Globe of his hopes and
plans.
Among the most helpful and valua-
bic work in connection with the Vol
unteers of America" said the general,
us the aid that has been rendered
those who are dependent upon the So
ciety, as well as those who are strug-
Cling to maintain their positions as
honest, hard working and deserving
citizens.
I'm no section of the work has there
been more marked advance than that
NhACh lE CdAIlGO uDOtl
thropic lines. This work is practically
divided into four branches"
Fresh Air for Poor
Gen. Booth is very enthusiastic with
the plan adopted by the Volunteers for
giving the city poor the benefit of fresh
air and holidays under proper circum-
stances. He said:
Much In the direction Of the distribu-
ton OF food and aiding of the poor that
was introduced in, and belonged almost
exclusively to. the principal headquarters,
has been customary In the local centers.
II was thought that much had been ae-
complished when dinner had been given
and gifts distributed to the people in such
main centers as Chicago. San Francisco,
Pittsburg. Boston. Philadelphia and New
York, but during the past summer in
scores OF cities where the Volunteers labor
not only have the hungry been fed, the
destitute clothed, but hundreds of the city
poor have been taken into the fresh air.
In one center IL has been the over
worked and weary parents who have been
taken to neighboring resort for an out
ing; In another center several hundred
tired mothers in another hundreds OF
children have been taken TO a pleasant
trees. 1t is estimated that over 1o0, 900
of such men, women and children have
had some enjoyment and health given to
them through the fundamentally OF the
Volunteers. We hope to have some better
method of tabulating the numbers ere an
other year has flown.
Tells of Prison Work
The prison work of the Volunteers
which Gen. Booth touched upon in his
discourse last night is receiving his
closest attention. He firmly believes
that a great work for humanity can be
done there.
There is a powerful and matchless
work among the prisons of our coun-
try" said the general. The prison
league has been formed in twenty-five
state prisons, embracing in all $4,000
men and women who have endeaVored
to live subordinate lives within the
walls, while the department is in
touch by service and correspondence
with 10000 men. We cannot refrain
from adding our testimony to that of
our prison representatives and court
officials to the permanent good done
TO hundreds of those who are wearing,
or have worn. the garb of a penal in
stitution. The testimony of these men
who have been remodeled in character
and life is in itself an eloquent tribute
to the work accomplished by the brave
one who has toiled so hard and de-
votedly in inaugurating this branch of
the work"
In speaking of the many benevolent
institutions sustained or aided by the
Volunteers, Gen. Booth said:
Homes for the Homeless
The homes for working and out of work
individuals have become a branch of the
volunteers involving considerable magni-
tude. Social efforts of this character were
not In view when we entered the field
some years ago, but today / would remind
you that there are homes Of philanthropy
Kansas City. Pueblo. Worcester. Boston,
Lynn. Maiden, Toledo. Erie. Pittsburg
Buffalo: New Castle, Flushing. Philadel-
nh linn ora11f Co.
and other places. There have been 95r
children received into these homes and
1850 children have been helped with
sheltered In Kansas City and st. Louis
during the flood. these institutions lodged
34.504 persons and fed 366.037 persons. in
given TO 1o1, 00e persons during the holt
day seasons. At the present time nego-
tiatjons are pending for yet other institu-
tions for the housing and maintaining OF
needy young women, homeless mothers
and children without guardians.
Another branch of the work taken
up by the Volunteers is the forming
OF local societies for the helping OF
the sick and dying. Gen. Booth, touch
ing on this part of the work, said:
Almost every company and post that
has attained organization is carrying on
IN degree visitation of the most needy
and destitute persons. Such persons are
aided with their rent. or food, or fuel or
some articles OF clothing, or occupation,
medical treatment or nursing. One CEN
ter takes a little sick boy to camp until
he IS recovered, another provides for the
children OF prisoners families, while an
other distributed 10000 quarts OF fresh
milk principally among the ailing and des-
titute children.
Gen. Booth is not making a tour OF
the country at this time. He is only
visiting the cities of the northwest.
He WIN leave st. Paul today. $3.50