The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-03-06

Meeting of the state Board-Mr. wiswau
and the Commission.

The Rev. Alvah Wiswall has decided. I'M
der advice. not to submit to an investigation by
the commission appointed by the State Board Of
Charities unless he is accorded the privilege Of
cross examining those witnesses who may tcsti-
fy against st. Johns Guild and this the COM
mittec will not permit him to do.
Mcssrs. Townsend and Dupignac appeared for
Mr. Wiswull yesterday. and the State Board of
Charities was represented by Mr.. Theodore
Roosevelt. Mr.. Hoguct. and Mrs. Lowell Mr..
Townsend read the resolutions that were passed
on Saturday evening by the trustees OF the
Guild, to tho effect that a proposition I've made
to the State Board to have the affairs of the
Guild Investigated by committee Of five. APP
pointed thus: ono member by the Mayor. one
by the state Board, two by the Trustees Of the
Guild, and the nth by the four. In view of Mr.
Rooscvet's letter To Mr. wlswall declining tot
any part In the investigation, an invitation was
extended to him Ia he one OF the committee of
referees: but in the event of the committee of
Investigation bring appointed wholly by the
state Board Of CHARITIES. the offers Of st.
Mr.. Roosevelt Explained that he did not cntcr-
tain n particle Of hostility to St. Johns Guild
The only action he had ever taken with refer
cnrp to IL WINS when. some time ago he made
Inquiries ns To- its work ngs because he learned
in his capacity of Chairman of the Bureau II
Charities. that it frequently received very larg,,
sums ~ money and yet hal no trustees. and
with Trinity parish had been severed and it
was, therefore douhy nee, ssary that it should
have an efficient board of trustees.
Mr.. Roosevelt read this reply 20 the suggcs-
tions made by the trustees OF st. Johns Guild:
We will admit counsel. We will allow Mr. wiswan
o he present and ~ rcSt stion. TOR AK wit
ne->es We will send Tor witnesses lac may suggest
which seem to Us to H. reasonable.
Mr.. Roosevelt hoped that the trustees Of St.
Johns Guild would permit the investigating
committee To examine the books and papers of
the organization. The STATE Board of Chart
ties he added, had legal right to do 80 in any
gNcnt hut he did not wish TO exercise authority
II II could Ice avoided.
Mr.. Townsend denied the right OF the State
Board to make any Investigation into the affairs
of the Guild but he thought that the trustees
would. RS an act of courtesy. show all requisite
documentary evidence at its disposal. H. de-
INJURED. however. to the manner in which the
| committee proposed ~ pursue liz inquiries
! and. in reply TO Mr.. Lowell said that the OIL
GERS of st. Johns Guild positively declined TO
! submit Ia any such examination rs the Stat"
Board desired To- make N the board would con-
sent 10 an investigation 10y the committee Of five
| ~ proposed 10y the trustees. the Guild would
! ask Tor subppnas for the Rev. Dr. Dix and the
I editor NJ the WOftL
! Attorney General Fairchild-Mr. Townsend.
! IL there anything that YOU know Of against the
! character al IT. johns GuId3
! Mr. Townscnd-Nuthinc whatever against II.
The Attorney -G"nrral-Why tn n. do you re-
fu~, 10 allow the state Board of Charities 10 IN
| Nc-tiEatc its Affairs
Further proceedings were postponed 10 give
Nr. Rooscvrlt'- Committee an opportunity To
report Ia the state Board OF Charities, which
! VAL meet in Albany tomorrow.