The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-11-11
New Head of Washington
Diocese Says Action Was
Wholly Unexpected.
HAS NO PLANS YET
FOR HIS NEW WORK
Asserts He Will Make No Public
Statement Until Choice Is Rati-
fed by the Church.

''The action of the convention yes er-
day was the greatest surprise 1 have
ever had in my life" said the Rev. DE-.
Alfred Harding, who has been named
as the new bishop of Washington.
Dr.. Harding, who was completely
overwhelmed at his election, has done
little today but receive the cOngratula-
tions Of his parish. prominent church.
men throughout the country and his
legion OF friends in washington.
There is little I can say Just now. ."
Dr.. Harding continued. for. inssmuch
as the action OF the convention has
not yet been ratified by the standing
committees and the bishops OF the
church, I feel that 1t would hardly be
becoming in me to make any state
meni concerning the future.
However, l must say that the cleo
ton was not only the greatest sur
prise I have ever had, but 1 feel that
f. is the greatest honor that ever came
10 any man in his life 1t is also "a
tremendous responsibility.
No Plans Made Yet.
Il cannot at this time say how 1 shall
face all these things, because il is all
- new and the time is not yet ripe for
such a statement from me. I can
scarcely realize all that has happened
and I slept but little last night. II is "A
serious thing and one whiln requires
much thought. 1 feel that I must have
the help and cooperation of everybody
TO take up the duties of the bish9pric
and when the action Of the standing
committees and the bishops has beer
made known I shah be IN a better posi-
ton to say more"
One Of DR. Hardings friends said 10
him this morning:
"Well, Dr.. Harding, I did not think
when I was talking to you the other
day that 1 was talking to the next
bishop Of Washington"
Neither did l." Dr. Harding said, in
a tone which still had a shade Of in
comprehensIveness in it.
Dr. Harding has had little time TODAY
even to devote to his mail. He received
two kilograms which pleased him i'm
menSely. One was from the Bishop OF
Maryland and the other from d.. Ec-
cleston, president of the standing COM
mlttee of the diocese Of Maryland.
It was suggested to DIT Harding that
ne was fitted in every way TO take up
the Cathedral work.
He said.
To Work on Cathedral.
well. have always tried to
familiarize myself with the CathedraPs
interests and I have followed them
very closely as I have the diocese dur
ing the past twenty-five years. I feel
that there is much to be done and with
the aid and cooperation Of churchmen
e will be made possible. When the
action Of the standing committees and
bishops has been taken. though, It viii
be time to say more. Until then, I feel
that it is best to leave things as they
are"
The action Of the diocesan convention
must be ratified by the majority OF the
standing committees and bishops Of the
Episcopal Church in the United States.
Following the ratification by these two
bodies, an action which Is Of course,
anticipated and which will require sew
eTal weeks. a day win be named when
tiie new DlshOp VIII be COnSeCTated and
the presiding officer at that service will
% selected. Many other little details
OF THIS ceremony win be arranged and
DIT Harding viii then be formally de-
clared Bishop of Washington
Election a Surprise
That HIS election TO tbs bishopric came
as a complete surprise 10 DIT. Harding
was made plain in the convention in
meeiately after the las. ballot was cast
That he also had no idea tht he would
be an important factor In the conven-
ton was known last Saturday after
noon. when DR.. Harding outlined the
probable action Of the convention to
The Times. Although Dr. Harding sus-
pected that some Of his friends would
repeat their action Of the earlier con-
and register his name as their
choice, the prospect that he might be-