The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-10-16
APPEALS FOR FINANCIAL AID
Znn City lt(k'd Upon as Poor Risk
at Present, and Creditors Are
ClanoIng for Money

which have yet beset the king Oh Zion
City.
1t is the suspension Of credit by promi-
nent wholesale houses on all OF the pur-
chasing agents OF the industries Of the
north shore community While the with
drawal OF any further credit Is tenn
porary. pending the settlement Of large
accounts. the action OF one wholesale
house, Carson. Pirte. Scott a. Co.. has
prec.pitated a general movement on the
part OF nearly every creditor In the city
of Chicago.
The frm in question has refused to
sell anything in the way Of merchandise.
except small pickup" orders. until the
Zion City general stores have met an open
account. long past due. of nearly s5ooo
In commercial circles II Is regarded az
a foreshadowing OF insolvency or the pre-
monition OF imminent financial disability
when a large debtor asks for time In the
settlement of small accounts.
That Dowie has asked for time. all the
way from a few days to couple or
months, was ascertained today from
houses In Chicago and attorneys Nno
have claims ready to present.
DowIE APPEALS FOR FUNDS.
1t is significant that simultaneously
with this stand of wholesalers Dow1e mas
issued a new appeal for funds. even more
urgent than previous ones.
The main reason for extreme conserv-
atism In extending credit to Dowie 10
the fact that he Is considered as gen
orally delinquent and several OF MIS-
large accounts are overdue. The loom
ing up on the horizon of an obligation
amounting, IL Is said TO $3.50, 900, which
is reported to be a real-estate payment
long deferred. has also been instru-
mental in bringing about the present Sc
rious crisis.
But another reason for the considerable
import is found In an economical analysis
OF the manner In which Zion City is
managed. This is summed up I'm the fol-
lowing declaration OF a prominent at
torney:
1T is only a question of a short time
really when the shops and factories Oh
Zion City will be closed and the streets
Of the village become deserted. l speak
carefully and from a knowledge OF the
situation.
MUST HAVE CAPITAL.
1T is an economic impossibility for
any community TO exist unless there Is
a constant flow OF capital toward II 10
in the merchandise which has TO be pur-
chased from ,.e outside. When Dowle
vas in Chicago the members Of the cult
were employed and the money which
came to him then was from the outside
world.
1T Is different now. for the only in
come he has is that which comes from
the people VINO are employed In the COM
munity, which is comparatively small anu
that which comes through the channel OF
their industries, which is smaller, I'm MY
judgment"
Dowie has made a reply at the Audito-
rum to the litigation against him. ana
also announces a new method of finan-
ciering his industries.
Let them sue mel" the healer shouted.
IF they do I'll show them a thing or two.
I'll let the suits pile up, and not one cent
will they get-till l am ready"
Dowie didn't say just when he expected
TO be ready.
The announcement OF the new financial
policy. following the popular loan" which
Dowie promoted I'm the last issue OF
Leaves OF Healing is considered TO indi-
cate that the overseer Is short Of cash.
In his appeal for funds. which occupied a
conspicuous position in his weekly publi-
cation. Dowie solicited money from any
where and anybody. In any amount, even
as low as S. In return for each So Dowie
agreed TO give his personal note. bearing
interest at per cent. These notes he
represented, would be amply secured by
the s23, 900, 900 OF assets which he says
Zion possesses In his name.
FOLLOWERS ARE GLOOMY
II was not cheerful crowd that as
sembled in the Auditorium to hear tho
healer exploit his troubles. There was
an atmosphere OF gloom I'm the big struc.
ture and the "amens' were spoken In .
half hearted WAY.
Dowie himself was defiant and serious
He made no secret OF the fact that his
creditors are demanding their pay, but
he tried to impress his followers with the
belief that IL was not their desire TO coll
lect thef dues that prompted them to
bring the suits.
Now that have found who and what
are at the bottom OF the attacks on Zion}
credit and the attempts to force Zion
the wall" he exclaimed. II propose
smoke them all out. When suits Toy
small accounts were filed against me- !
adopted the policy OF paying.
But now that | have discovered where
they originate and what the real animus
behind the whole business Is. | propose
20 let the suits pile up and the bills re-
main unpaid until I feel like paying
them.
II defy the lawyer whose firm Is filing
these suits and making business OF
hunting for suits against Zion. him
do his worst He is n Mason OF high de-
gree and a lawyer OF low degree. chal-
lcngc him and his kind. I have n list OF
the small business men who are lending
themselves 10 his scheme and they will
lose thousands ~ dollars I'm the way of
business In Chicago.
"These arc all petty suits that have
been brought The large business houses
of Chicngo. TO whoae representatives 1
have explained Zion City's exact situation
financially. understand and appreciate.
They have been eminently fair In thefr
treatment of me. a big business man In
Chicago can readily see that he cannot
we'll afford To do anything that would help
drive away such n growing purchasing
and business centre as Zion City. could
take our industries elsewhere. but ] do
not propose TO do so. They are there to
stay and 10 prosper"