New-York tribune., 1919-02-16
Commander Booth
Stirs Throng g With
Salvation Tales
Explains Secret of Army Sue
cess in War Relief; Does
Not Ask for Money, but
500 Is "Thrown at Her.

Before an enthusiastic audience
that filled every seat in Carnegie Hall
and crowded the aisles, Commander
Eyangeline Booth of the Salvation
Army yesterday morning gave dra-
matte recital of the experience of her
workers The unstinted praise she
freely bestowed on soldiers of the Sal
yation Army, and particularly to its
women, drew frequent bursts of ap-
plause
Although Commander Booth had
previously announced that she was not
speaking for money half dozen or
more baskets, hats, bags and port
folios-a anything that could be used as
receptacles-were filled to overhowing
with coin. Men and women fairly
mobbed the platform to throw upon it
hills and silver and shake the hand of
the commander
"This popularity is a very beautiful
change" exclaimed Commander Booth,
smiling in the midst of tears. Il am
not quite used to it, but hope it keeps
up"
More Than $500 Donated
After the last person had left the
hall the Salvation Army officials with
drew to the green room, where the un-
solicited offering was piled upon tables
and counted Seven hundred and
eighty-six dollars had been received.
Among the notes was a ten dollar bill
to which a card had been pinned, upon
which was wrltten:
81 am seventy years of age, but you
have given me the first satisfactory
explanation of Christianity that |, as
Jew, have ever heard,"
please, will you thank the people
for me- Commander Booth asked The
Tribune reporter after the meeting.
Thank them not only for their gem
erous financial help but for the lavish
way in which they have shown their
earnest appreciation of Salvation Army
service at the front
The success of the Salvation Army
and the new recognition of its work
have been due to three things, accord
ing to Commander Booth. She said
vation Army was ready-ready with
what was needed most, the human
mechanism, trained men and women
We could have sent more workers tc
the fronts, but we preferred to run
the risk on quantity rather than or
quality. The Army was not ready with
money, however, and we had to borrow
$4,000 to send the first group over
Later we borrowed 100000. But oul
credit has been always good, and
within year the money had been al
paid back.
Trained to Give Life, if Necessary
The Salvation Army workers." she
continued, "arc trained in devotion, If
sacrifice; trained to obey orders, tc
help those incapable of helping them
selves; trained IN the fine, attractive
toquetries of the round, brown dough
with their life's blood, if necessary
I'VE have not been making our way
TO heaven on tiower-strewn path" she
said 1--WE call ourselves an army, in
which every man and woman is SOL
der fighting IN the world for the great
est Of ell causes. We have met with
opposition, SANDER, abuse, starvation,
cold and hunger. The cold winds that
swept over Fladers were ot the first
which stung the faces of my brave
women
q am glad to stand before you and
be able To tell you they did not fail.
II my women had shirked their duty
Just because of the danger of death
they would have proved unworthy of
the Salvation Army and its splendid
women
She told Of the women's decision to
provide the boys who were rlsking their
lives with unlimited supplies of fresh
doughnuts, hot cocoa and apple pie
but principally the doughnuts. "They
hnew no closing hours" she said. "Our
closing hours are when the need is
relieved"
One time young American officer
came TO Salvation Sally and offered
her 1900 francs, which he said the
boys had collected. your uniforms
are shabby" he said. "You sleep in
an unshelCered place. We want you
70 get new uniforms and better shell
ter' The worker, approaching the
sympathy Of the "boys," hesitated
ABOUT taking the money, but finally
sne received it and said: We'll put
aside and buy more cocoa and more
doughnuts for you"
Practical Religion Its Success
There WAS long applause when the
commander gave as her third reason
ior the success Aof the army its prac
ucai religion The army has reduced
the theory Of Christianity to action"
see said. at has applied faith to
eaeeds, it has brought down Christ
rom his golden throne TO the mud
walks Of life; it has given the sheen
20 the doughnut has made women
wipe The blood from the faces of the
wounded and the mud from their feet.
i: Is THIS practical application of Chris
aAanity that has made the Salvation
army what it is to-day"
Commander Booth said that her
NAL teens with letters from mothers
era fathers OF boys at the front ex-
PRESSING their deep gratitude.
oasVation Army work is carried on
N sixty-fhree countries and in thirty
seven tongues There were 100000
"orsers Of the International organiza-
e'oh IN service during the war.