The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-01-18

them. 1t might cause them to hesitate.
But when this old scrap. as you may
be tempted to call it, is treated by our
men ii will be comfortable, handsome
bed.
Then we will supply the mattress.
the dresser and other necessary furni-
ture. All second hand. it is true, but
all perfectly good and with proper care
will last for years. Then we will put
rugs on the floor. They have been
cleaned by an electric process, have been
fumigated and generally purified. II
is true they are the leavings' in many
cases of wealthy families, but they are
reformed and regenerated and no bride
should be too proud to put her dainty
feet upon them.
1T must be remembered that all this
work is done by men who have come
to us for shelter and temporary en-
ployment. They are getting ready for
normal occupation under normal con-
ditions. We give them this work to
do so that they will have something to
occupy their minds and that the work
Of reformation may be accelerated. I
want to emphasize the fact that We are
not engaged in a competitive industry.
1t might be called an exclusive industry.
Nor do not believe any private concern
would undertake such work as this.
Il have said that the house can be
furnished. the knot tied and the honey
moon trip given for a total Of 800.
These figures are conservative. II the
couple should elect to spend their honey
moon in their own home the job could
he done for $50 or $35. II could even
he done for $50 If the happy couple
would be satisfied with furniture Of
slightly inferior grade"
Staff Captain MCGEE said the indus
trial home was not marriage bureau
by any means and he was not advertis-
| ing It as such.
Although" he said. Eve have had
several very agreeable affairs in the in
| stitution."
! Does this 800 make provision for the
best man'?" the superintendent was
asked. He thought "A while and an
| swered:
"weli, no. not specifically. unless my
assistant, Capt. Branchfield. would con-
! sent to act in that capacity
Capt Branchfield is modest man. He
shook his head in sort of half mega
! tive manner, but finally agreed to Ice
best man if there was no other citizen
! Immediately available for the honor.
1.-THE truth ] want to emphasize is
| that there is no more reason why "A
poor man should not marry now than in
| former times" said the superintendent
"Of course many may object 10 using
| furniture that has been reconstructed by
! our mechanics. They may scorn to eat
at table that some down and out man
has reyencered, repolishcd and mad"
generally whole. But these sam" per-
sons wear shoes that have probably been
| made in prison or cook their meals on
stoves that have been turned out 10y mo
chanics in some penal institution
one hundred and ninety men are now
employed ut the home. Among these
are some very skilful mechanics.
\ former citizen of Dayton, ohio, whO
lost most of his furniture in the great
flood of last March brought what he
had saved with him to New YORK.. Much
of this was in such u condition that no
ordinary mechanic would have anythine
to do with il.
might as well throw it away and buy
new. II Is not worth anything" was
the discouraglng answer he received
everywhere. But he finally submtte.
the matter to the industrial home
There a cure was undertaken and tn,
furniture is now apparently as good a'
new.
I'VE do not pretend to work miracles,
said STAFF Captain MCGEE. I'VE simply
make the largest possible use Of in
dustry and common sense, and W.
get splendid results We are, of cours"
more interested in saving "A man than
! in saving IA chair. but while II fellow Is
: remodelling n chair he is often engaged
in the work of remodclling himself
Now if We can help the honest but
' poor aspirant for matrimony and al
| the same time provide work for the mar
I who wants to walk straight ! contcn'
We are doing society substantial
service"
\ Stan Captain McGce said the Saliva
ton Army believes profoundly in mar
riage.
| "Of course" he said, 81 do not belieN'
II a man or woman should embark on tn
matrimonial ship without makni
proper preparation. But ! do contcn'
that when two young persons arr
| suited to each other and are morally
II physically. spiritually and intellectu
ally healthy they should not be com
PEELED to wait an indefinite period.
| Getting the furniture without goinI
in debt for 1t is IL serious problem witt
! many II young couple"