The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-01-15
statement by American Salvation Army.
Editor If Tho ytrripiar.

Editor Of The yirginian:
Sir,--We represent the American Salvation
Army in this city and State Our organiza-
ton IL a church. declared by our char
ter. ritual and rules of government. While
church. 1t IL organized the plan of the
United States army, our work Is to preach
the gospel to the poor, help the needy and
relieve suffering wherever find it. There
Is another salvation Army organization in the
United States
ON December 20, 1911. i. w. II. Peckham.
was arrested. charged with being suspicious
character. suspected of obtaining money under
false pretenses. | bailed to appear in tine
Police Court on the twenty-sixth and appeared
with ny lawyer ready for trial. but the Com
monwealth was not ready and the
postponed until the fourth of January, 1912.
On that date the Commonwealth attorney of
the city Of Richmond. appeared prosecute
me- Major Werner. chief of police; Rev. j.
T. Mastin, secretary Of the State Board OF
Charities. and Mr.. +. i. Gentry, officer of the
detective force. appeared witnesses against
US out Of the city. None of these witnesses
testified against my character. The chief OF
police stated that complaint made
against my work by the English Salvation Army
officers in this city and upon that complaint
he had my work Investigated. Officer Gem
try and Rev. Mr.. Mastn both testified that
when they came to my place to make this in
vesttgation l readily showed them all OF my
books accounts and vouchers and kept moth
ing from them. When all of the testimony
was through Mr.. Folkes Commemorative at
torney. asked Mr.. Mastin, secretary of the
state Board of Charities, II he knew any law
to convict me. and he stated that he knew of
none. Mr. Fokes then stated that he knew OF
none: thereupon Justice Crutchfed said he
willing to dismiss the case. But 1, w.
X. Peckham, asked to be allowed to make
statement, which was accorded me. l went
on the witness stand and stated this action was
taken by the English Salvation Army, that
suits are now pending in New York between
these two armies. denied all the rumors
against me and courted the fullest investigation
OF my private life and also official in
the American Salvation Army. I then
quilted.
Since this trial work has been greatly
hindered; and people who had heretofore been
rendering aid have refused to do We
believe this arrest and trial responsible for
this and hence We are making this publica-
ton and asking the good people OF Richmond
to give a fair hearing and continue to
sists us in the work. During the last ten
months have conducted 166 meetings and
have had 81 converts. besides helping poor and
needy persons We intend to continue
work in the city OF Richmond and we earnestly
ask that We may be given fair hearing and
fair treatment. This city IL large enough for
two armies to operate ill., without warning
against each other.
All of the above statements to the trial
can be verified and refer to Justice Crutch-
field, Commonwealth's Attorney FolkeA Chief
OF Police Werner. Rev. J. T. MaStin Detective
Frank I. Gentry, or to Mr.. Isaac Diggc, who
was attorney in this matter.
ADJCTANT AND MRS. W. r. PECKHAM,
Ofhcers in Charge.
Richmond. Va, Jan. 13. 1914.