The age-herald., 1902-05-16
WAR CLAIM WAS
 THE MAIN TOPIC Threshlng Over of Discussion Developed Nothing New RttH D NOT ADMls %3LE Judge straeher Said He Did Not De- sire to Add Fuel to the Flame,
 But Wanted a Mutual
 Ground.
NOT ADMIs %5LE

Dallas, Tex, May 15-After one day in which the subject was not mentioned, the war claim was the principal theme of dis cussion before the Methodist Episcopal church conference today. The reply of the majority members of the committee on publishing house interests to the mil nority report was brought In and discuss ed after which 1t was referred to the committee on publication house interests.
 The eighth days session was presided over by Bishop Candier. privileged communication from the African Metho- dist church conference at Nashville was read
 Greetings were sent to the Presbyterian assembly at Jackson, Miss, and to the Cumberland Presbyterians in session at Columbia, Tenn
 The committee on missions reported great progress in this field. The question of the union of the various branches of Methodism In Japan was brought up and concurrence in the plan proposed of unit ing the six branches under one head was had, the question being made that a commission of five be appointed to con- fer with similar commissions from the other churches on a plan of unity.
 Can't Hold But Four Years.
 The committee on itinerarancy reported non-concurrence in memorials requesting the conference to allow no preacher to hold mission more than four years, nor any presiding eldership for more than eight years.
 Taking up the regular business the re- considered. Correspondence courses, open to all ministers at nominal cost under the direction of the faculty of Vanderbilt University, were considered and ordered established.
 Dr. s. s. Kener reopened the discussion as to sending pupils to Vanderbilt He was opposed to chautauquas, seaside les sons and correspondence and wished to keep the old m ethods. A long discussion participated in by Dr. Hoss, pr. Murray, Dr. Edwards of New Mexico, J. =. Ham, mond of Georgia, Dr. John H. Mclean and others, ensued.
 The section voting 1000 additional for the establishment of a correspondence school was held to be too large. An amendment fixing the sum of $5000 was passed and the report as a whole adopted
 Bishop Hargrove presented a petition from citizens of Nashville touching the war claim.
 War Claim Again.
 The threshing over of the war claim to- day did not develop anything new. It only emphasized the fact that the confer ence seems to be hopelessly split on the question. Summarized. the report ayers that the fullest, freest discussion was granted when the matter was being inves- tigated. that contrary to the contention of Judge Strother every witness was all lowed to speak and the session only clos ed when there were no more witnesses {; that Judge Strother himself had ruled that the Congressional Record report was again and again the mem bers of the minority said that they did not believe that the book agents had been guilty of any intentional wrong: that there was no intentional deception of Senators; that Judge Strother had ruled that a report of the procedure to the conference was not necessary and finally that in no i'm portant part of their report are the minor ity correct or assuming the right position.
 Judge Strother in reply said that he did not wish to add fuel to the flame, but rather in the name of peace and right eousness, to establish a mutual ground.
 An executive session of the conference was held at o'clock tonight when the war claim was considered.