The Birmingham age-herald., 1912-04-06
DR. OXNAM ID TALK ON CHARITY WORK Pisgah Home Head to De- liver Address Tomorrow LOCAL INSTITUTIONS Controversy Over Local Salvation Army Industrial Home Work
 Has Proved to Be of
 Live Interest

The Salvation Army investigation has started Yesterday Detectives McDon- aid and Murphy busted themselves in- vestigating conditions relative to the operation of the local corps of the army. However. they stated last night that they had nothing to report for pub lication. preferrlng to make their re- port as a whole and not in part.
 pr. Charles Osborne Oxnam, head of the Pisgah Home at West End, has ben besieged for the past two or three days for an expression upon the in- vestigation in hand but has steadfastly refused to commit himself. However, at the instigation of many of his friends he has consented to make an address Sunday afternoon and tell just what he has learned of charitable con ditions in Birmingham during the past year.
 He said last night:
 ,"While I have refused to be inter- viewed upon the present controversy between the chief of police and the Salvation Army, at the request of many people l will, Sunday afternoon at 2;30 o'clock at the Fraternal hall, give in detail the results of my investigations of every charitable institution in this city. extending over the period of one year.
 ',rhe secretary of the Associated Charities heads of all charitable in- stitutions ministers of the gospel of fcers of the Salvation Army, business men. policemen and liquor men are b
 Chief Bodeker last night when in- formed of the lecture signified his ac- ceptance of the invitation extended him and will be present.
 The controversy. has been attracting wide attention Many people have ex- pressed themselves quite freely both ways on the investigation Important among many of the comments on the investigation is a letter received by Chief Bodeker yesterday from J. F. Weir, manager of the Great Southern Accident and Fidelity Insurance com pany.
 The letter follows:
 Birmingham, April 4, 1912. "Mr. George II. Bodeker, Chief of Po-
 lice, City:
 ',Dear sir-My attention was called to an article which appeared in The Age Herald of this date in regard to the letter of complaint made by one of your worthy officers, Policeman Jones' in regard to the manner in which some people are being treated by the so-called charitable Salvation Army people. l am very glad that someone has found out something about the workings of these so-called charitable people as l am ready and willing at any time to make affidavit that the same thing occurred with me few weeks ago when three persons whom l had directed to these people were turned away. I will say that I sent three very poorly clad people who were in need of shelter for the night to these so-called charitable people, when, to my Knowledge, they were turned away. I contributed to their aid and secured shelter for them somewhere else.
 "Chief, I think it is time to draw a line over these people and make them pay for all privileges that they now have, for as I can see some of the high officers of this so-called charitable society are reaping the whole benefit for which we people are being con stantly called upon for contributions of different things. where do these contributions go? Why, to support a set, in my opinion, who are out for a good thing and too lazy and trifI,ns to work for living, but had rather have a set of their women appear on our streets begging from whenever they have a chance. This thing should have stop put to it and all free priv ileges taken away from them. I know that your worthy officer who is mak- ing these charges is telling nothing but tho truth, as I have had, as stated be- fore, the very same experience with these people. I am ready at any time to make an affidavit as 10 what I have written in this letter and l trust that 1af 1oft local newspapers. If you will take a hand personally in this investigator I am sure that you will find no cause to disbelieve anything which has been said about it.
 "Trusting that I can be of service to you in this investigation, I am, yours very truly. J. F. WEIR, ~Manager Great Southern Accident and Fidelity Co.,"