Sister & Brother

When one sees people peering about in the halls and corridors of the small Algonquin Hotel, Manhattan, one may be almost sure that they are peeling their eyes for a glimpse of a literary lion or a theatrical celebrity. For there it is the habit of that kind of people to meet.

Perhaps it was for such a glimpse that a reporter was staring in the lobby of the Algonquin last week. He must have received a first-rate shock, for there he perceived before him no literary lion, no theatrical celebrity--but Commander Evangeline Booth of the U. S. Salvation Army and two gentlemen.

Of course questions followed. It developed that the two gentlemen were Commissioner Edward J. Higgins, Chief of Staff of her brother General Bramwell Booth, (of England), and Captain David Lamb, both sent over quietly from London headquarters.

Of course here was food for conjecture. It was known that the hostility between General Booth and his sister is but thinly veiled. He is said to be "displeased by her popularity in America, and to regard the U. S. branch of the Army as a mere subordinate sec-who has become a U. S. citizen, in 21 years has increased the resources of the Army in the U. S. from $1,500,000 to $32,000,000. Three years ago her brother removed her from her command, but there was such a flood of protest that she was reinstated for three years.

Were preparations brewing for a permanent removal of Commander Evangeline from her post in America? Or were negotiations forward for healing the brotherly-sisterly breach? Commander Evangeline denied both these rumors:

"Commissioner Higgins is here, commissioned by the General to discuss with me important business affairs of both national and international nature.

"His first visit has no bearing upon the question of my leaving the United States. The matter has not been raised.

"America knows me well enough to have every confidence that I shall do the right thing with respect to the country as well as the Salvation Army."