The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-07-20
Officials Say DR.. Guthrie
Misinterpreted Permit
to Preach.
NOT GIVEN RIGHT
TO USE IOWA PARK
Major Sylvester's Authority Limit
ed to the Circle-Bromwell
Refuses Apology

Some explanation Of the action OF the
park police, yesterday. in ejecting the
Rev. Charles L. Guthrie, with a large
portion of his congregation. from the
park at Iowa Circle, and forcing them
to give up their open-air services. is
now being awaited by the minister and
parishiOners of the Hamline M b
Church. pending any action they may
take
The members of the Hamline Church
congregation are indignant. Last night
a committee of citizens visited the
pastor and announced their willingness
to stand by him in any action he might
see ht to take with regard TO the mat
ter.
While regretting the entire occurrence
as tending to place them in a false
position, both Major Sylvester and Col
onel BromweIl are firm in their state
ments that they acted within their prov
ince, and that the humiliation suffered
by DR.. Guthrie was entirely due to his
own misunderstanding OF the permit
grar ted him.
Ordered From Park.
The occurrence leading to the present
controversy took place last evening in
the park at Iowa Circle. while DR..
Guthrie. with his parishioners, was
about 10 hold services similar 20 those
held two weeks ago.
DR.. Guthrie had secured a permit from
Major Sylvester. granting him permis-
sion to hold services In Iowa Circle.
The party hardly had gathered in the
park before Park officer Thomas ap-
peared, and. on being shown the permit,
declined to honor 1t. He demanded a
permit from Colonel Bromwell, and
when none was forthcoming, ordered the
assemblags 10 get out OF the park
DIR. Guthrie was overwhelmed at the
attitude OF the oh1cer, and endeavored
10 hnpress him with the fact that his
permit specified Iowa Circle
} The officer, remaining obdurate, the
party removed TO the curb only 10 be
interfered with again by the same po-
liceman- DR.. Guthrie's explanation that
his services would only consume about
ten minutes proved useless. and the
congregation finally went TO the church,
where the services were held.
DR.. Guthrie Indignant.
In discussing the matter this morning
DR.. Guthrie declared that an explana-
ton and apology from those in authority
was the least that could be done in
paliation.
The attitude of the Police Depart
ment in attempting 10 interfere with
church services in public places is en-
tirely too paternal." said Dr. Guthrie.
''and, as exhibited yesterday, was un-
pleasant and humiliating.
I'VE sre not a body of anarchists or
reformers. Our congregation is COM
posed of responsible citizens. The at
titude OF the authorities yesterday vas
one indicative Of innpatience. While
have not yet determined what I shall
do, not having consulted with my par
tshioners at any length, shall certain
" endeavor to learn the reason Of this
strange conflicting Of authority which
proved so humiliating TO US"
Bromwel Won't Apologize.
Colonel Bromwell this morning char
acterized the entire matter as mistake
on the part OF DR.. Guthrie, due to his
ignorance OF local parking regulations
He entirely upheld the officer I'm his ac-
ton, and said that had he done other
wise than removed the worshipers from
the park, he would have made himself
liable to a reprimand.
Il have no apology to make for this
department. said he, "and do not feel
called upon to resort to a lengthy eK-
PLANTATION. The parks Of the District are
entirely outside of the province Of the
local police. and within the jurisdiction
Of the United States Government
I1s1u MI SulAiIlc dpplltQ ~ me AOA
e permit to hold services, 1 would have
let him have II. The permit he secured
in no way affected the park. but RELAXED
entirely TO Iowa Circle, or The circle
surrounding the park. I entirely uphold
the officer In his action DR.. Guthrie
will find his explanation in section 1,
article 1, OF the parking regulations"
Major sylvester declared that the per
nit issued applied specifically to Iowa
Circle" and contained no statement
concerning the park
Blames the Preacher.
81 regret that the mistake occurred. -
said he this morning, but it would
seem that the error was entirely Que
to the misunderstanding of DR.. Guthrie
himself. He was given permission to
preach and hold services in Iowa Cir
cle, or that portion Of public thorough
1are surrounding the park
"That he failed TO properly interpret
Is regrettable and unfortunate. but no
blame can be attached either to this
office or to the authorities in charge OF
parks