ere at a
very low figure. In each store is a furniture department; a clothing
department for men, women and children; a toy department; a department
for stoves, pots, etc., and sometimes other departments varying with the
size of the store. It is possible, thus, for a poor family moving into
the neighborhood to completely furnish themselves and their home from
Salvation Army stores at a cost of often less than one-half of what they
would pay elsewhere. Each store has a definite connection with the
central industrial plant, from which it receives its supplies, its
workers and its government, for the stores are merely branches of the
central work, and all are under the same general management.

An interesting feature lies in an examination of the labor which is
employed. From the cases given at the end of the chapter, it will be
seen that it consists of all kinds, classes and nationalities, who,
through their own recklessness, or by unfortunate circumstances, have
fallen into want. A man willing to work comes to the Army in want of
food and shelter, and the Army happens to have accommodation for him. He
may go to one of the men's hotels or to the industrial home, or to the
central agency of the Army. In any case he will probably be interviewed
by an officer specially detailed for the purpose, who will be able to
decide in short time what his needs are, and what can be done for him.
He may be sent out at once to take some position secured through the
employment bureau; he may be sent to the hotel with the understanding
that, after being fed and cared for, he will be given an opportunity to
pay for it in work; or he may be sent straight to the industrial home.
In any case, if possible, he is put to work. He may be in a weak
condition physically or mentally, or both, but even then, he can often
do something; such, for example, as picking over paper and rags in the
sorting room. Meanwhile, he is being fed and housed. If he means well
and works earnestly, he is soon able to do some other grade of work. He
may have had technical knowledge which will help him. In a few days,
possibly, a call is made to the employment bureau, which is maintained
in conjunction with each home or group of homes, for a man to fill some
position. If suitable, this man may be sent out to take it. On the other
hand, he may be retained in the home and employed permanently as a
driver on one of the wagons, or as overseer and instructor in one of the
room