Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 77, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 March 1914 — Bogus Salvation Army People Hero Last Saturday. [ARTICLE]

Bogus Salvation Army People Hero Last Saturday.

A couple clad in Salvation Army regalia arrived in Rensselaer Saturday and conducted a “service” on the street corners, securing a shower of dimes. He prayed long and loud and the woman took up a collection. A little later he was sitting on a bench a little further up the street while she was continuing a canvass for money and he let a pint battle of whiskey sfip out of his pocket and it broke on the walk in the center of quite a crowd. They at once set up a derisive laugh and he said: “It wasn’t mine, it wasn’t mine, but, of course, it would do no good to explain.” Those who were present convinced him by a number of remarks and quite a little hooting tha 1 ; explanations would doubtless do no good and the man and his companion hastened to the depot and made their departure. It requires a low Order of depravity, of course, to asspme religion in order to make begging possible, but there are many who are willing to do it, and it is said that the regalia of various religious organizations like the Salvation Army can be purchased at the second hand stores by beggars. This incident convinces The Republican that it is right in encouraging charitably Inclined people that their offerings will do a great dead more good if given to the home or foreign missionary societies of the local churches. Let us figure a bit in further support of this conviction. Suppose two duly authorized solicitors were to come to Rensselaer. They would be at the expense of car fare in reaching here, of dally expenses amounting to about $2 each and it is very doubtful if they would .collect enough so that fifty per cent would be reported to headquarters, where fifty per cent of the remainder would probably be required to pay overhead charges. When contributed to the local organizations every cent goes for the purposes designed. It is not proper to encourage begging and Rensselaer Should establish the name of refusing aid to all manner of money solicitors unless they have the endorsement of the local board of associated charities.