New Britain herald., 1929-01-08
SALVATION ARMY
Meeting ABROAD
Successor 10 Booth, Il Any, May
Be Picked Soon

sunbury-on- Thames. Eng, Jan. s
R-Possibility that . decision
might be reached by the high coun-
cit Of the Salvation Army some time
tonight on the question Of the fu-
ture leadership of the Army was
advanced in a well-informed source
late today.
1t was stated thus far there has
been no ballotinE on the question OF
General Bramwell Booths witness
and competence to continue as lead
or of the Army.
Because of the lack of official in
formation there were varying re-
ports of the councils proceedings
While it was generally believed that
Commissioner Higgins had been
named president of the council an
other version. Of this was that he
had merely presided at the Open
ing Of the meeting after which Com
missioner James Hay of New Zea-
land was chosen chairman.
Watchers outside OF Sunbury court
were puzzled by blasts on a whistle
blown by a guard at the gates rs
those claiming admission presented
themselves.
After careful listening and . lit
tie questioning 1t developed that the
whistles comprised "a rather elab-
crate code system which had been
previously arranged.
One long whistle, 1t appeared,
meant the passing through OF some
one who had been challenged and
finally admitted. Two blasts meant
that someone was being questioned
at the front gate and that a messen-
ger from the mansion was urgently
needed. In reserve was an alarm
call of three long blasts repeated
This was only to be used If trouble
of any kind arose such as an at
tempt to rush the guard.
The high council to reach two
momentous decisions. These were
whether the venerable head OF the
organization, General William Bran
well Booth, should remain In that
powerful and responsible post OF
should step down because OF being
incapacitated by age and illness and
whether the present constitution OF
the army should be broadened.
The scene of the meeting was
chamber in Sunbury court, the
army's staff training institute.
The newly painted white gates OF
sunbury court stood out as an eff
fectiye barrier against intrusion by
unauthorized outsiders with the serl-
Gus business the council had in hand.
The mansion itself. standing well
back from the road, lent itself well
TO the isolation which the powers OF
the army desired for their proceed
ings. The care with which 1t was
guarded as the councillors gathered
promised we'll for preservation OF the
atmosphere Of secrecy.
Uniformed officers were posted
here and there among the bare
limbed trees OF winter time sur
rounding the mansion while others
who were 1oined by policemen stood
guard outside the gates. Each per-
son approaching had to apply at
wicket and satisfy the army guards
that his or her credential were cor
rect. The gates we're then opened
to admit the applicant II all Waa
found to be right.
One of the earliest arrivals was
Catherine Booth. the aged generals
daughter who has been prominently
mentioned as his successor II the
present regime is victorious IN the
struggle, and no exception was MADE
IN her case> She as we'll as the
others was required to produce the
special permit necessary for any one
&c gain admission.
In one case, however, the bars 70
the secluded mansion we're let down
without question. This was "heh
Mrs. Bramwell Booth and her
daughter, Colonel Mary Booth, drove
up to the gates.
The general as had been an
nounced was too i'll to leave his sea-
side retreat and come and take w
the cudgels for himself as. with his
well known fighting spirit, he wout.'
like to have done. But in his stead
the generals wife appeared 10 lead
the fight for him. Her private car
driven by a salvation army officer
was observed as 1t neared the gates
which were Immediately opened and
fine automobile passed through.
Commander Evangeline Booth
head of the American delegation ana
leader of the movement for a re-
form Of the administrative system
reached Sunbury sometime before
the hour set for calling the council
TO order. Other delegates Including
the rest of the Americans came
along at short intervals.
1t was understood when the meet
ing began that all So members VINO
were expected to attend the meeting
were on hand.