Battle of the Booths

General Bramwell Booth of the Salvation Army was quick to appreciate Edward John Higgins. The Higgins rise to power was therefore swift-winged. In the U. S. he helped Commissioner Evangeline Booth. In China he helped natives. Ten years ago he started helping the General most efficiently. Today he is General. Unfortunately, so is General Booth.

In Sunbury Court, Sunbury-on-Thames, England, last week, gathered the High Council of the Salvation Army. Their faces were dolorous for they were going to depose General Booth. They had done it once before and it had done no good (TIME, Jan. 21). This time they meant to mean business.

Daughter Catherine Booth was there hoping for speeches and emotion. But the High Council was grimly silent. For two hours Lawyer William Allen Jowitt argued that General Booth should not be deposed. The High Council listened politely and then deposed him.

Sister Evangeline Booth also was there. She had often toyed with the idea of being herself elected General. But when the Council elected Commissioner Higgins she was not disappointed. Indeed, she said, "I am almost intoxicated with joy."

If General Booth continues his battle he will attack the validity of the Salvation Army's 1904 deed poll which so far has legalized 'his ousting. This document states that seven commissioners may call a general meeting and oust a general in cases of continued illness, bankruptcy, lunacy. Of course, the High Council ousted General Booth because he was unwell.

General Booth has worn no other suit but the Salvation Army uniform for 54 years. It seemed likely last week that he would battle to the last court not to change his clothes.