The San Francisco call., 1905-01-17
MINISTERS CALL
OFF CONVENTION
Committee Votes to Yield
Big Gathering Which Was
Won for San Francisco
MAY TIDE OVER TROUBLE
DR.. Case Pays Compliment to
the Legislatures Unusual
High Tone and Character

1t may depend on the outcome of
an interview to-day between the con-
vention committee of the Christian
Church and the Southern Pacific Rail-
road Company's representatives
whether the promised big information
al gathering shall take place in San
Francisco or some city in the East
next August.
1t was decided by the committee
yesterday that in view of no reply
having been received to the letter sent
the Southern Pacific and Santa Fe
Railroad companies on January 8 rela-
tive to reduced rates for the conven-
ton, the ultimate decision of the COM
mittee will go into effect, which means
the calling off OF the international af-
fair SO far as San Francisco is con-
cerned.
The Rev. Walter NJ White. D. D..
told the meeting that their letter had
been ignored" and the question before
them was whether they had better not
throw up all idea of holding the con-
vention in San Francisco.
The doctor said that such a move on
his part and of his ministerial breth-
rem would cost them great pain since
they had been battling to win the con-
vention for San Francisco for the last
eight years even against strong oppo-
sition in the East.
He held that the bringing Of 5000 or
$1,000 people to San Francisco meant
an immense benefit for the State, but
he regretted that if they could not get
the rate which had been verbally
promised at st. Louis he could not ad-
x-ica hn nf q hQr
for the reason that the greater part Of
the people would not come unless the
rate was granted.
YIELD THE CONVENTION.
The Rev. F. A. Boyer of Oakland,
the Rev. E. w. Darst of Berkeley, the
Rev. P. c. Macfarlane of Alameda, the
Rev. Frank S. Ford and the Rev. Mr..
Berry of San Francisco were in ac>
cord with the views of DIR. White and
1t was unanimously resolved to wire
the Rev. B. L. Smith, secretary of the
Home Mission Society. Cincinnati
Ohio, announcing that the committee
had resolved under the circumstances
to yield the convention.
Shortly after the close of the meet
ing the railroad officials were In COM
munication with DR.. White and in>
formed him that a letter had been
sent in answer to the one written by
the committee on January 9. The
doctor assured them that it had not
been received. DR.. White said that the
officials had requested an interview
with the convention committee, conse>
quently he and Dean Van Kirk and
the Rev. Mr.. Macfarlane will meet
James Horsburg Jr. and Charles S.
Fee of the Southern Pacific Company
sometime to-day
The Merchants Association, said
the doctor, had promised to do all in
its power to bring the convention to
San Francisco.
The question of betting on races and
the existence of Doolrooms came be-
fore the Methodist Ministers. Associa-
ton yesterday. DR.. E. r. Ollie SUBJ
mitted the following resolution which
was unanimously carried:
WOULD STOP GAMBLING.
Whereas. A measure has been introduced by
Hen. r. II. e. Espey into the California Legis-
lature the effect OF which will be to suppress
the iniquitous race track and poolroom gam
bling, which Is such to our State.
Resolved That we favor the passage OF the
above measure and urge our legislators to sup
port it TO the end that this evil so damaging
to commercial interests and moral welfare
may be entirely done away with.
In the discussion which followed DR..
w. w. Case said that the tone and
character of the Legislature were so
unusually high that he considered
there was a strong sentiment in favor
of the purport of the resolution.
Reference was made to the saloons
in the vicinity of the Presidio and it
was decided to include the matter of
their removal in the resolution.
The Rev. Henry A. Fisk addressed
the Presbyterian Ministers Association
yesterday on the advance made by the
Peoples Place, Greenwich street, be-
tween Powell and Mason streets. The
Baptist Ministers Association was adj
dressed by the Rev. Robert Whitaker,
and the Rev. B. F. Sargent spoke be-
fore the Congregational Minister'S AS