The Birmingham age-herald., 1914-06-29
P|ETY SMELLS THE
 CONSCIENCE FUNDS
Most of the Contributors Declare That They Have
 Got Religion

Brakebeam transportation on railroads is worth half a cent mile. This is not tn decision of the Kansas Public Utilities commission nor of the courts. but of a tramp who has written to h. l.. Copeland secretary and treasurer of the Sante Fe. that he intends to clear his conscience of his many stolen rides on that basis, says a Topeka Kan. special to the New Sun. In his letter the reformed tramp, now with the Salvation Army enclosed Sb for some meat which he said he stole from a Santa Fe car Within the last week Mir Copeland has received s7o from five persons to be added to the Santa Fla .eonscience fund.-
 "The world is growing better and bus mess having to do with our conscience fund Is picking up," Mir. Copeland said. T attribute the repentant spirit of people to the religious awakening all over the world Nearly every letter we have from a conscience stricken person contains the information that the writer has been con- verted as a result of religious move ment of some kind and wants to live a better life and make good past deficien- cies so far as possible"
 One interesting letter written on type writer and signed "A Farmer" Is as follows:
 ''Three years ago a Santa Fe train killed four of my pigs which had broken out of the pen and gone upon the rail- road track. I put in a claim for damage and the company turned it down. l knew that 1t was my fault that the pigs got on the railroad, but Just the same I was sore.
 One night, to get even, I led a worth less old blind horse out on the track and the train came along pretty soon and killed the critter. I put in claim for damages and received SEQ. l had a change of heart later. turned from my wicked ways and joined the church. My work with the blind horse was cruel and criminal Perhaps I ought to be fin jail. Anyhow I will do the next best thing to ease my conscience. I am returning the ss0 the company paid for the horse with interest, and as I also beat my way on several passenger trains on account of the pigs I am making the full amount $50, which ought to cover everything. I couldn't sleep with this in my system"
 A woman sent s5 to pay for some things stolen from the Sante Fe." She did not say what she had stolen. .At that time,'' she wrote, things didn't matter with me But It's different now. l have a good man and we have a baby. Last winter we joined the church and told my husband how I robbed the railroad. He forgave me and so did God. Now you forgive me and I will be square all around"
 merchant sent s5 for a crooked claim presented by him and paid by the com pany. 'I can't get right with my Mas ter so long as this sin hangs over me. |" the merchant said.
 A conscience fund came from travell- ing man who sent $5 flor fares out of which I beat the railroad" The writer said he was in Topeka ono Sunday night and went to hear Dr. Frank l.. Loveland preach. ''The minister got my goat" said the travelling man. and I reformed then and there. now belong to a church in my home town and have paid out about s200 to square myself with the Lord for crooked transactions. such as robbing tths Santa Fe."
 An ex-framp sent s for meat stolen from freight car. 'T am now a member of the Salvation Army" he wrote. That's why I pay for the meat. would like to pay for the rides I stole. but can't do 1t