Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1915-12-26

ment and experience for his lob.
Twenty-Five years ago he running gam
bling joint in Fresno Cal. He was converted by
the Salvation Army in 1891, and has been an
tive soldier of the Lord and his fellowman
since.
He has been a military soldier also going with
the first expedition to the Philippines in the Span
ish-American war, where he held meetings for his
comrades under the bamboo trees of the far-away
islands, and was invaded home after five years,
with chronic dysentery.
His father was a captain. too. He captain
Of a company of Kansas cavalry which he recruited
and he fought Indians the plains of Kansas in
the early days.
Il have eaten, slept, stolen, gambled and been
in Jail with men just like those l am now trying
to guide to the right path" says Captain Kline.
Il have cooked tramp stews under railroad bridges.
II know my men, their hearts, their minds.
their temptations. their fine points. am ordi-
nary, everyday man with love for my fellow
man and sympathy for their faults and frailties.
I have acquired this not through belief in
creed, but because have experienced what they
are experiencing and l have found in the saliva
ton of God living, vitalizing force which has
helped out of that quagmre The reason
am in the Salvation Army is because it through
the Salvation Army that came to myself
No dreamer is Captain Kline His is not job
for dreamer, an idealist. 1t is a job that calls
for such executive ability as is required for the
management Of large industrial enterprises.
Looking at the modest exterior Dodge street
west of Eleventh, you have no idea what hive OF
industry it is. You wouldn't imagine that at night
there may be 100 sleeping there, men
who would be out in the cold or in unsympathetic
jails but for this. You wouldn't imagine that
during the day there from fifteen to thirty
men working there, who would be idle or
perhaps into mischief but for this
1t was old, ramshackle building when Cap
tain Kline took charge of 1t over three years ago,
not much but four walls, he says.
Right there he put into force great principle
Of the Army. Take waste labor and put it to work
waste material, and you save both to be of use
to the world"
That's mighty big, powerful principle and IT
has worked and is working marvels right here in
Omaha.
BY 1t the old building converted into
snug warm, clean place, that is a palace to men
who are down-and-out. Moreover, the spirit OF
sympathy, understanding, helpfulness pervades its
every corner.
Here the unfortunate, If they are worthy, can
get a nights lodging a meal for nothing. Here
Is cents will buy a warm bed for the night with
opportunity for a man to take a hot bath and
wash his clothes and have them dry by morning.
Let's go over the Dig busy place Win captain
Kline. Leaving his office, go through a narrow
corridor and arrive in OF two large rooms
steam-heated and with electric lights. Here are
long rows of cots, each with a number. Around
the sides, small rooms. eighty by ten in size, are
rartitioned off. These rent for 25 cents a night
$3.50 week.
In one corner of the big rooms the bath
rooms and big porcelain tubs, with abundance of
hot water, where the men can wash their clothes.
Descending the stairs from here come to the
lobby where there are chairs and tables with mag
azines and newspapers Off of this is little room
for the clerk. Let take look at the register.
Last night nearly all the beds and rooms were
taken. There are all the names of the occupants
and below is a summary of the nights business,
thus:
Beds. Rooms.
Cash ..........41
Charity .........
"Stand-offs" ~.