The Bridgeport times and evening farmer., 1919-08-22
FOUND SOLDIER ALWAYS REPAID
 LOAN OF MONEY
Salvation Army Head Tells Experiences With "Bust-
 ed" Doughboys.
FINDS CREDIT PLAN
 WAS FULL SUCCESS
Red Cross and Sallies Only Places Soldier Could Ob-
 tain a Loan.


 New York, Aug. 21-Preparing to close out a business venture that was successfully done fin violation of many of the accepted rules of the business world, Colonel William s. Barker, in charge of the overseas ac- tivities of the Salvation Army, has re- turned to New York. Yesterday at the headquarters of the Army in West Fourteenth street he told of some of the things that had been accom- plished in France and in occupied Germany. Contrary to sound bust ness principles the Salvation Army overseas did a large credit business and without looking up the reputa- ton for honesty of those who came and asked that goods be put on the sIate.' Now when the time has come for casting up accounts the Col onel said that the Army's faith in human nature had been justified and that in a total business of 25,O0O.o0O francs 1t would break even. And the Army kept no books.
 Some of those who were trusted no doubt neglected to pay. but these were exceptional cases, and this loss was more than made up by the gen. erosity of the men who had found the Salvation Army a friend in time of dire need. If man wanted credit until next pay day he usually went to the Salvation Army, and he found it. On one occasion the or ganization advanced supplies to a unit of considerable size because it's pay had not caught up with it. The men paid up when the time came.
 In Illustrating this yesterday Col Ra tnId tEia rTI- a one of the Jewish holidays a soldier came to the Army's headquarters in Paris and explained that he was on leave but had gone broke. He told the officers that he had gon, to other places, but had been unable to ob- tain a loan. He wanted S10. He showed papers that showed he was attached to a certain company in a certain regiment in a certain divis- ion. On the strength of this he was handed over the amount asked for in French money.
 Two weeks later that boy sent the money back to us," said Colonel Bark CT.
 The colonel said that, all told. the army had 245 men and women work CTS on the other side and the greatest number that was over [ one time was 176 workers. He went to France to build up the work of the organ ization with three women and four men officers and with S25,0OO. The first difficulty he encountered was the difficulty of spending money. Not only did Colonel Barker find there was a need for the Salvation Army s work, but he found everybody dispos- ed to help the organiza ton.
 
 greatest difficulties would be to get buildings. but the Government gave him twenty-one steel hangars located in different places, and these became the storehouses and the bases for op- eratfons. From these bases the army spread out until its workers were as near the front trenches as officers would let the Salvation workers go. Present indications showed, he said. that it's accounts balance to within 100000 francs, and this amount is covered by supplies and equipment that are still on the other side
 At the present time the Salvation Army has supply stations at Brest and in Coblenz, and it has twenty-five workers who are still looking after the comfort and welfare of the men of the American Expeditionary Force. This relief work will be carried on until there is no longer need for the services of the Salvation Army, the Colonel said
 One reason for the success of the Salvation Army in its overseas work, the Colonel said, was that it had the confidence of the men, and its work CTS kept their respect. He said that the Army did not believe in dancing. and it's women did not dance. and again they were not allowed to walk out with enlisted men or officers The Army went to France to help the men. and in this work he added, 1t had fully accomplished its mis- sion.
 Colonel Barker retold again the story of how the Army took to bak- ing pies to bring to homesick soldiers a needed touch of home, and how, when the stoves were found too small,