The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-02-16
CHOIR BOYS STRIKE
THREATENED TODAY
AT PRO-CATHEDRAL
Agree to Quit in Body to
FOreStall Minister
NelmS.

There will be no choir boys at the
PrO-CathedTai Protestant Episcopal
Church this morning IL threats Of a
strike are carried out.
Although the fifteen or twenty lads
receive remuneration for their services,
this strike is not FOR increased pay.
shorter hours. or better conditions. as
Is TIE rule Wlth labor bodies IN indus
trial life, Juvenile America is rauying
around the standard of the practical
Joke and innocent amusement.
Mischievous Youths.
Having heard that the Rev. J. Hem
ming helms, recently called 20 the pas
torate of the Pro-Cathedral, intended
Iismissing them because Of their mis-
chievous conduct, prank playing. and
hazine, the young lads decided TO beat
him cut. Today they viii not only re-
/ fuse to sing in the choir but viii pious-
" attend the morning services, taking
due care TO obtain seats near the pull
| pit in order that they may not escape
/ the ecclesiastical gaze Of the rector
against whom they have declared open
/ hOstiliuies- Tomorrow they viii go be-
+ fore Bishop Satterlee in a body and
I make plain to him the motives ac.uat-
ing them in their unique warfare.
Haze New Choir Boys.
/ Although the Rev. Mr.. Nelms. who
/ was called from Philadelphia TO the
/ fashionable Pro-Cathedral, has occupied
the pulpit only d few weeks, he had
t observed much of and given a vast
/ deal OF thought 10 the juvenile Choir
/ listers. He declares they must go.
( When a new boy is taken into the choir
/ he gets 2 frst-class idea regarding
/ hazing at West Point Annapolis. and
/ in Greek letter fraternities.
The Rev. Mr.. NeIms indicated his in
I tention of ousting the sweet-volced
young warblers, and the boys soon
/ learned of his plan. a strike was i'm
mediately agreed upon, and the boys
declare that even though the Bishop
of Washington did not dismiss the Rev.
helms they win have had the supreme
and Incompatible pleasure of preventing
| that learned dignitary from giving them
! their hymnal "23
Called Bishops Church"
The Pro-Cathedral, Church of the
. Ascension. is one of Washington
largest and wealthiest Protestant Epis-
oopaI churches, located in the best resi-
| Dental section Its membership is COM
posed Of some of the best-known mem
FbGrs of the executive. legislative ju-
diyial, diplomatic, financial, and social
/ circles The Pro-Cathedral enjoys the
distinction of being the church Of The
Washington diocese where the Right
Rev Henry Y. SatterIee. Bishop of
" ashington, worships, and is known as
the Bishops Church"
! one OF the boys said to a Times rep
/ re sentative that there would be only
/ enc ''scah' In their ranks, and that
| I've was the son OF the enc. rrla siel'
| WHO would stick with his father If
there are any others that break away
1 from our ranks, said the youngsLer, 1T
viii De sorry day for him, as we are
determined to punish him.
Expect Sympathetic Strike.
I'VE expect that at the close of
the month. when Dr. Nelms' order
to throw the boys out goes into
( effect that a number of the
ladies of the choir win quit in sym
patty with US. We can see no reason
why we should be thrown out by DR..
Nelms-the supplied boys choir is one
of the established institutions of the
Protestant Episcopal churches in this
country and England and we do not be-
Ileve that Bishop Satterlee will stand
10 see US thrown out"
In reply TO a query as to what the
boys would do in the event that Bishop
! Satterlee decided to back up DR.. helms
, In his purpose 10 put them out the little
, fellow said there are a number OF sur
pliCed Episcopal choir in this city that
need boys and we VIII join those choirs
| where we are needed. But we would
rather stay with the old Pro-Cathedral.'