The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-04-16
First Documentary Evidence Against DOWie Produced
LETTER READ 10 PEOPLE
Was Written to "Dowie Two Years Ago While He Was in Europe. Pleads for Better Manage
 ment of Affairs.

Chicago, April 15.-General Oeerseer Wilbur Glenn Vollva produced the first of his batch of documentary evidence today by which he. hopes to eonfound John Alexander Dowie and his followers who are endeavorng to regain control of Zion City. The instrument was let ter written under date of April E. 1904. and addressed to Doctor Dowie who was then In Zurich Switzerland. The letter was signed by Overseers John c. speioher Charles j. Bernard and Judge Y. Y. Barnes
 In the document they warned Dowie that unless he changed his ways in the management of Zion City clash was inevitable They stated that from their examination of the conduct of affairs of the colony, il was evident that Dowie had overdrawn his account at the bank in Zion City; that he had received de- posits when 1t was known that the bank was insolvent; that he had used funds otherwise than in accordance with the representations made by the stock con tracts and certificates and that the proof of the appropriation of such large sums for his own personal use and for ends outside of the industries named. would be tantamount to a conviction of embezzlement in any court of law The letter further implored Dowie to exercise l a rigid economy on the part of himself and his family. saying that expenditures to this end should be based on needs rather than upon fictitious income.
 Letter Is Read. l The inhabitants of Zion City anticipat- 1 ing that such letter would be read, 1 Hooked to the tabernacle at an early hour today and long before the services opened the big building was filed. 1t was not until after athe regular Easter cere- monies had bean gone through with tiiat 1 the sensation was sprung and then Gen-J eral Oyerseer Yolva requested that Overf seer Brastield read the letter in question:, l There was iutter throughout the big | assemblage and craning of necks When | Deacon Brastield read that section Of the letter which said. There Is no doubt for a moment that failure 10 meet pay ments and an exposure of the true con- ditions of things would land yourself and the cashier and general financial manager in jail very promptly the audience sig niaed its approval of the sentiment ex- pressed by vigorous applause.
 The letter continued:
 "The standard of Zion cannot be loW>r tEan that set by the business world out. side. Your safest place will be here at home. There is but one country outside and that is Chile. where you would he safe from the attacks that would be made and the situation here would be hazardous if you continue your policy.
 Serious Charges.
 using funds otherwise than iii accord
 s.t,.g 1, | fIt.. uffs contracts. and certificates and the proofs of the appropriation of such large sums to your own personal use. and for ends outside of the industries named. inelud- ing what has been done al Ben Mac D'Hul. would be tantanount to eonvic- ton"
 The letter concluded as follows:
 ',Such is the extent of Zion that mo- where in the civilized world "il you bs without the pale Of the extradtion law Your business enterprises have conHec- tons in every land. and hence In every country venue can be lasd on crimi- nal charge"
 General Overseer VolIva then called Deacon Newcomb, who was one of fine party who was travelling with Dowie at the time the letter was directed to the first apostle.'
 Deacon Newcomb stated that the let ter was received by DoWie in Zurich, but that Dowie first spoke of Inc docu- ment to him while they were travelling in France. He stated that the first apos- tie" flew into a great passion when he discussed the epistle, and stated that the policies he had lnaugurated must pre- vail
 Dowie spent qaiet Sunday In this city and presided over simple Aaster eere- monies which were participated in by few of his faithful followers at the Au- ditorium Annex
 The attorneys for both sides said mat conferences would be resumed tomorrow. and that there were yet hopes that basis for an amleable settlement would be reached.