The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-04-01
ASKSAID FOR
PRISONERS IN
LIES BATTLE
Major Halpin of Salvation
Army, Here Today, Says
Attitude of u. S. Costly
TELLS OF. METHODS

"The great American spirit of fair
play, which in its ultra fairness de-
mands an eye an eye and tooth
for tooth, annually is costing this
nation many thousands of dollars
and is confirming each year thou
sands of new criminals" declared Ma
jor William Halpin, national prison
secretary Of the Salvation Army, who
arrived here today. Major Halpin
will speak at 4 public meeting at the
Salvation Army citadel at s o'clock
tonight. He is accompanied by Staff
Captain Hickman Of Minneapolis.
tremendous strides have been
made in recent gears in institutional
administration he continued. min
nesota in particular in this respect
stands near the front.
"Dcspite all that has been done
mare criminals are produced each
year in penal institutions than in
the slum districts of the big cities
the so-called underworld. They are
produced in spite Of. not as a result
of, the constant vigilance of institu-
tional forces.
Young men, young women, chil-
dren are seldom criminals when sen-
tcnced-they are just unfortunates
who CHANGED to slip. and were
caught. And who is there among us
who never has slipped? They are
unfortunates needing friendly adj
vice and counsel and help and the
comradeship Of the morally and
spiritually strong rather than the
drab uniforms Of the reformatury
. the pick and shovel OF the workhtuse
or the steel bars Of prison cell.
"Thcy are not riminals-until
they begin their sentence; a sentence
the practical result of which is to
send them into nest of cynics.
Scotfers and hardened criminals
there to learn from minds that are
sick the ways of the paths VIII
lead to shame, dishonesty. disgI ace
and .radation.
Where Army Aids
1t is here The Salvation Army, CO.
operating with and aided by prison
authorities, begins its prison work
1t is here its officers endeavor tC
counteract the evil influences of
those with whom every Jail inmate
| must daily come in contact, II is
here that Encouragement be.
| gins.
During the year ended September
30, 1923, nearly 100000 men and
women attended Salvation Amy
| prison meetings. Many of these were
hardened criminals-but many were
| beginners in the greatest school OF
crime the world ever has known
More than $4,000 of these were play-
ed with and advised and 10000 ac-
knowledged their God and before
| their release from prison promised
! ions and to lead lives of honesty anG
worth.
"Thcir sincerity is evidenced wker
it is known that S,132 accepted aid
from The Salvation Army upon tEeii
discharge. OF these it is safe 10 say
.hat the overwhelming majority are
row respected in their various com
| nluniLlcS dS men anu WOillcu WI III
sufficient backbone to "face the
music and begin all over again.
Made Worth While
"They are worthwhile citizens
strengthened rather than weakc.7eo
by their past.
During the year GOA individuals
were paroled to The Salvation Army
given the chance to learn the right
from the wrong and to act accord
ingly. 1t is needless to say that this
group today, scattered far and wide
| throughout the country. is "makin9
| good"
eve Americans should not insis
upon our pound of flesh. II is thu
most expensive way of treating ;
situation which admittedly is ser
GUS, and the results of the "cure
often are more serious than the orr
ginal disease"