Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-16
SERIES OF LECTURES.
Members Of Congress to Discuss So.
cia1 and Economic Questions.

Members of Congress to Discuss So.
cia1 and Economic Questions.
Rev. Alexander Kent, pastor Of the Peo-
pies Church. is taking steps 70 establish
propaganda in Washington for the edu-
cation Of the people upon the social and
economic questions Of the day. DR.. Kent's
idea is to have a number Of congressman
holding views of all kinds on political and
economic questions to deliver speeches
every Sunday evening at the Typographical
Temple, which shall be open to any one
who desires to hear them. DIR. Kent was
on the floor Of the House yesterday solic-
iting the aid Of number of representa-
tives to his scheme He has already Sc
cured promises fICm a dozen members to
make speeches, and he anticipates that
he will be able to secure more. His idea
Is to secure about twenty-five members
of Congress for the propaganda, each to
have set dates for his speech and each
to speak on a different subject, or On a
phase of subject not touched upon by
those preceding him.
DR.. Kent's plan is to secure thoroughly
posted speakers on not only the tariff and
finance in its various phases, but upon the
single tax theory, government ownership
OF railroads and teiegraphs. postal saw
ings banks, international arbitration. i'm
migration, the labor question and its diff
ferent ramifications and other public prob
lens. DR.. Kent thinks that there are a
6iCdI many pcOple III washington VINO
are virtually uneducated on these ques-
lions, not, however. through Indifference,
but because of inability to take advantage
OF the opportunity when offered during
the week to study them. He says that
comparatively few are able to attend the
sessions of Congress and that the issue
OF the Congressional Record, containing
the debates, is SO limited to be mac
cesstble to vast majority. He thinks that
on Sunday nights a great many people
eager to learn would be able to devote
time to the subjects who on other days
would be unable to spare the time. By
this means he hopes to reach every one
who is not keeping up with the tide of
public affairs. DR.. Kent has no doubt
that his scheme will be successful and
That a great many people in search of
education on the problems proposed to be
dealt with will attend his lectures He
says that If the quarters proposed to be
used for the speeches are Inadequate he
Will secure others which will accommodate
larger audiences.
Speaking of the subject to a Star re-
porter today, DR.. Kent said:
Il have secured the consent Of about a
dozen of the ablest and some of the most
prominent members Of Congress to speak
at these meetings, and 1 have no doubt
whatever that 1t will be successful There
is a large number Of people in the city
yearning for instruction on the big uues-
lions OF the day who are absolutely igno-
rant OF them, chiefly by reason of the in
convenience of getting such knowledge
now, ana through their inability to spend
the time on the subject. By my PROPOSE
ton, however, ample and convenient time
Will be at the command of every one who
cares to hear the subjects discussed The
lectures or speeches will all be based upon
the one subject Of 1.-The Relation of Just
Government to Good Citizenship" Each
speaker is thus furnished his cue and may
talk on any phase he chooses. 1 will not
engage the services of any man who is
known to be conservative on any PROPOSE
ton or who Is inclined to straddle any
question. Each speaker must be of pro
nounced and clear-cut views and it will
make no difference upon which side of The
question he stands. Each question is pro-
posed to be debated from every standpoint,
so as to afford complete education on
every problem. have not yet completed
dates for the speeches, but hope to do SO
in the near future"