The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-28
SAYS THE OFFICERS
IMPOSE ON PUBLIC
CHRISTIAN VOLUNTEERS CHARAC-
TERRIFIED BY ASSOCIATED CHARI-
TIES AS FRAUD-OPERATION IN
ST. LOUIS AND WEST

To connect the term. Christian Volun-
teer" with that of fraud and CRATER
is unusual in Birmingham, but that Is
what has been done not only by Secre-
tary William McGrath of the Associated
Charities, but by the officers of organ
lied charity work in as many as dozen
cities.
The "Christian Volunteers reached Biz
mingham about two weeks ago. and they
have had a hard time. Major Winches-
ter was taken up by the police, where-
upon he took the next train out or town,
but Maj G. H. Davis is still In the city
dressed in a blue uniform and cap
esembing that of the Salvation srrrnv
and is making canvass of the town
for subscriptions for some orphans home
He landed in Birmingham without
money, and the Associated Charities had
to supply his family with groceries, while
his wife was given work. "Of course"
said Secretary McGrath, every cent he
collects goes to his private use. The
people of Birmingham should stand wary
of just such fellows, as it Is only through
cooperation that we can run this kind
of people out of their habit of living on
the public. | have notified every charity
organization in the south of the prac-
tees of the Christian Volunteers and
imagine they will have hard time
in the SOUTH"
Their credentials gave the name of
Gen. Jacob Buch of st. Louis as head
of the volunteers, and in reply to Mr..
McGraths letter to the head of the st.
Louis Provident association comes the
following letter:
St. Louis, July Is, 1910.
Mr. William M McGrath, General Secre-
tary Associated Charities, Birmingham,
Ala.
Dear Sir: Replying to yours of the 9th
inst, concerning the Christian Volun-
teers and their work. we beg leave to
say that we suppose this Is the same
organization which has been managed
and controlled by General Jacob Buch,
otherwise known as "Jakey'' Buch. We
notice that his name heads the list of
officers on the letterhead which you sent
u.s. We are not acquainted with any or
the other officers mentioned on that list.
but will say that this man Buch is I'M
cuestionably fraud and a CRATER.
We have a voluminous record in refer
ence to this institution, particularly to
this man Buch and his lieutenant, owen
B. Vail. These two men have operated
extensively in the west, northwest and
middle west, and their record is uniformly
from many cities. For instance, Des
Moines, Council Bluffs, in Iowa; Omaha,
Lincoln, in Nebraska; Minneapolis, Chi
cago, Fort Wayne. Ind; Jacksonville,
ILL.,; Indianapolis Kansas City, Mo-, and
others of less note.
According to the best information we
have this organization was started In
Denver in 1904, and they have been oper-
ating all through the west.
General Buch Is reported to US by re-
liable authorities from his home place,
Lincoln, Neb., as being an ex-convict
They were arrested at this place.
We have no record of the man Win
chester of whom you speak. The fact
u.s. Buch picks out local men wherever
he goes to work with him and generally
has a different set in each city.
We ran him out of st. Louis by CO.
operation with the police, and he has
kept away from here for some time. The
so-called Christian Church or Christian
Volunteers under his management is not
worthy of any confidence, and their oper-
atoms ought to be stopped wherever pos
sble.
This man Buch was the subject of an
article in the New York Charities some
years ago, giving a history of his career
and setting him down as an unmitigated
fake"
The only thing to do with this man
and his associates is to run them out OF
your city as soon as possible as they
do no work that is of any value. and their
collections are appropriated to their own
private use.
Trusting this information will be help
full, and with best wishes, / am, sincerely
yours, w. H. M'CLAIN,
General Manager
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