Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-02-11
DR.. BUTLER INSISTED
SUPERINTENDENT STEELE corr.
sEoUENTLY RESIGNED.
Comment Over the Retirement Of the
Head of the Central Union
Mission.

The recent resignation of Rev. j. w.
Steele as superintendent of the Central
Union Mission. 622 Louisiana avenue, is
causing considerable comment in church
and mission circles, because of certain al
legations that are made In connection with
his retirement from that position. Those
who are in position to know assert that
Mr.. Steele did not resign because of fail
ing health, as was stated, but that his
resignation was the result of pressure that
was brought to bear on him.
An official of the mission said to Star
reporter that Mr.. Steele's resignation was
demanded by the chairman of the minis
terial council, Rev. j. G. Butler, upon an
official report made by the Post Office De-
partment inspector. which had been shown
to him. This report was the result of an
investigation of the affairs of the post office
at Lanham, Md, and of Mr.. Steele's con-
nectiOn with them at the time Mrs.
Amanda Steele was postmistress at that
place.
When these matters were brought to the
attention of Rev. DR.. Butter he called upon
the chairman of the board of directors of
the Central Union Mission and insisted that
Mr.. Steele be required to tender his
resignation, which was done. The minis
terial council Of which DR.. Butler is chair
man, is composed of clergymen of the sew
eral denominations, who render spiritual
and material assistance TO the mission.
Other Charges Made.
1t was also charged that Mr.. Steele had
caused to be circulated reports alleging that
his wife was insane, and other statements
she says that were calculated to injure her
reputation. his purpose being. she believes,
to throw discredit on her efforts to have the
special agents of the Post Office Depart
ment investigate the Lanham post office af-
fairs.
leave of absence on her, his intention be-
ing to get her away from the city, after
ward alleging that she had eloped with a
young man"
An officer of the Central Union Mission
said yesterday that he regarded the en-
forced resignation of Rev. ]. ". Steele I'M
der the ctrcums tances stated coupled with
the report of the postal inspectors. as a
complete vindication of Mrs. Steele from
the allegations made by her husband. from
whom she Is separated.
Statements by Experts.
In connection with the statement made
as to her alleged insanity, Mrs Steele has
procured professional reports from two
physicians rs to her sanity. These are from
Dr. George Macdonald of 1904 G street and
DR.. Mahlon Hutchinson of ITO II street
northwest DR.. Macdonald says he has
known her six years, and that "she is in
every respect sound in mind and body and
of good executive ability
At the time these matters We're first ven
tllated several weeks ago, as told in The
Star at the time, the Women's Band of the
Central Union Mission withdrew in a body
from the mission because of the alleged III
treatment accorded to Mrs Steele
An officer of the mission said to the re-
porter that when Rev. j. w Steele first
came to that institution in February, 1904
the mission was prosperous, both spiritually
and financially. But he added, Mr.
Steele left 1t with its forces demoraIized.
its workers scattered, its Women's Band
gone, many of its best friends alienated
and the finances at the lowest possible ebb
with many bills due and no money with
which TO pay them