The Washington herald., 1907-04-29
MONDAY. April Q. 1907.
sIdelIghts on the saIyation Army.

The current number Of Charities and
the Commons. a publication which char
acterizes itself as a weekly journal of
philanthropy and social advance, devotes
considerable space 10 a thorough dis
cusslon OF the Salvation Army and its
administration. We have been so ae-
eustomed 10 regarding the Salvation
Army as something far above the ordi-
nary mean and sordid level of humanity
that the statements made IN the article
are sad revelation.
Several recent addresses and books
upon the methods of the Salvation Army
are made the text OF the article, while
thorough analysis Is presented Of the re-
ports issued by the officials Of the army.
Il is shown that the work Of the Saliva
ton Army in the United States is carried
on by three distinct corporations. Con-
corning the financial aspect Of these cor
porations, this interesting comment is
made:
II comes. therefore. as a new light and somewhat
disturbing revelation that purchasers Of the War
Cry. Pest Fountain pens, and other articles Of man
ufacime are supplying profits on per cent pre-
f,Ued STOCK which the salvation Army has guar
niture. magazines newspapers and books give
them, not 10 the Salvation Amy. but % a corpora
tion which likewise PAYS 6 per cent dividends on
preferred stock guaranteed hy the Salvation Army.
While there is perhaps no false representation on
the part Of the salvage collectors, the generous
donors have generally supposed that the salvage as
far it could be used. went direct TO the poor il-
stead Of being sold for profit. and that magazines
and newspapers were distributed in hospitals,
prisons. and homes instead Of In large measure
being baled for profit 10 pay interest On loan with
which to finance the corporations.
In addition to this, the reports Of the
army officials are shown 10 be filed with
inaccuracies and Inconsistencies. while
criticism is made of the fact that no
financial statement is ever issued. except
as TO the headquarters IN New York and
Chicago. mo public accounting" we are
informed, lis made anywhere of the
funds collected and expended locally in
the hundreds of towns and cities in the
United States" II the financial state
ment filed with the secretary OF state Of
New York some unexpected facts are
given. II is shown that the poor and
destitute who occupied the beds Of the
Salvation Army lodging houses paid IN
AAkunA AGoll eoLltcld.Ol WHICH Is Al ioU- IL
over and above the total expense Of the
shelters. Then Il Is also shown that in
1903 the Christmas dinner collections
amounted TO S20.1O5.9O with only three
fourths of that sum expended for the
purpose for which # was contributed.
III England the conditions are stu more
unsatisfactory. There seems to be no
public knowledge Of the manner In which
the enormous annual contributions are
expended, while Gen. Booth IS charged
with being the promoter OF several
''shaky and shady business phiIanthro-
pies.
Under these circumstances, it is no
wonder that people who believe that re-
ligion and charity should be conducted
on "A square business basis are demand
ing that the Salvation Army be subjected
20 the light OF publicity. The army is
unquestionably doing a good work. but
its efficiency and standing will be Sc
riously menaeed If It continues to main
tain questionable secrecy regarding it's
financial affairs