Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-07-07
WILL TEST THE ED|CT
EvangeHsts Arrested for Using
Musical Instruments.
IGNORE POLICE WARNINGS
Hearing in Police Court Continued
Until Thursday.
INTEND TO FIGHT THE ISSUE
Two Members of Salvation Army
and Three of Gospel Band
in Custody.
INTEND TO FIGHT THE ISSUE

musical instruments in connection with
street services by evangelists will take
place next Thursday morning before
Judge Aukum of the District branch of
the Police Court. The cases of two
members of the local Salvation Army
and three members of the Gospel Band,
arrested last night by policemen of the
first precinct on Pennsylvania avenue
charged with violation of the police regu-
lation, will then be called for hearing.
The five defendants, who gave their
names and titles as Adjt. Charles Wise
man and Private James Smith of the
Salvation Army. Capt. William F., Mob
ley, Adjt. Jessie w. Stewart and Elmer
H. Holvorsen of the Gospel Band. an
peared in the Police Court this morning
and after a conference with Assistant
Corporation Counsel Pugh, it was an
nounced that the several cases would be
continued until Thursday morning. 1t
was stated the continuance was granted
by request of the defendants. who ex-
plalned they were not prepared to go to
trial, not having consulted with their SUI
periors in reference to important details
The defendants this morning were ac-
companled by large number of fellow
evangelists and friends None. however,
would discuss the matter, except to say
that the cases will be carried to the high
est tribunals possible should a verdict
against them be rendered in the lower
courts.
Never Molested Before.
we have been using drums. cymbals,
comets and other musical instruments
In our street services here for the past
twenty years." one of the officials af-
fliated with the Salvation Army said.
They have never bothered any one be-
fore. and never to my knowledge has
there even been complaint lodged
against us for their use. It seems pretty
hard now, after all these years. that
such regulation should be promulgated.
ana the very thing which is distinctive
feature OF our services eliminated
Inc street evangelists, as one might
properly term the Organizations here do
an immense amount of good. and sue
cessfully reach q class of people which
no other religious body possibly could.
ana after we reach them we instin in
them a religious duty and fervor, which
accomplishes more good than many peo-
pie Imagine. ! say again we feel that
this regulation prohibiting the use Of mu-
steal instruments in our street services
Is hardship. is unreasonable and is an
injustice We Propose to fight it to the
bitter end. and carry it to the highest
courts, if necessary
The arrests Of the five defendants
named were made last night by a detail
Of policemen headed by Sergt Harry
Lehman of the first precinct. Shortly
after o'clock the Salvation Army MEM
bers left their quarters, $50 Pennsylvania
avenue, with Smith and Wiseman in the
lead. The former was beating a bass
drum. When they reached 10th and d
streets Sergt Lehman and his men
placed Smith In arrest.
Taken to Station House.
The latter was taken to the station
house, followed by the others and a
crowd of several hundred persons. After
Smith entered the station Wiseman, who
was on the outside. proceeded to play a
hymn on cornet, and he, too. was
placed in arrest. The men were required
to leave SO collateral each. After leav-
ing the station house they proceeded to
the corner of 10th and D streets, where
the interrupted services were continued.
but without music.
Later in the evening the gospel band
were interrupted by Sergt. Lehman on
Pennsylvania avenue near the Center
market Mobley, Holvorson aand Stew
art. who were. respectively, playing a
drum. cornet and guitar, were taken to
the station house, where they were re-
quired to deposit So collateral each for
their appearance. At the time two of
the men did not have the necessary funds
and were locked up while friends sue
ceeded in raising the cash required by the
police.
1t was stated by policemen of the first
precinct today that it was with reluctance
that the five men were arrested. They
say that as warnings had no effect 1t
was decided to make the arrests.
In the cases of Mobley, Stewart and
Holvorson. it was said late this afternoon
that the continuance would probably be
indefinite, as it was desired to try the
Salvation Army cases first.
What Mrs. Wiseman Says.
Mrs. Wiseman. the wife OF the local
adjutant in speaking to a Star reporter
said:
rSo far as we know Al present, there
will be services with music as usual
tonight on the corner of 10th and D
streets. Adjutant Wiseman is consult
ing with his lawyer now on the subject.
We expect Maj. Barter over from Balti-
more tonight. OF course. we will take
final orders on the subject from nation
al headquarters
II do not know what the animus of
the case Is. We have been having
music with our street services in this
country for about forty years and in
Washington for the past twenty-three
years. Commissioner Mcfarland is a
member Of the Salvation Army, and
both he and Mrs. Mcfarland have been
very good friends though owing to the
not attend meetings so much as former
| ly. But we have many friends among
the churches in Washington and / think
we can furnish all the collateral the