The Washington herald., 1908-07-21
DR.. GUTHRIR'S VIEWS
Declares He Was Not in the
Wrong in Election.
AN EXPLANATION IS EXPECTED
Asserts He VIII Not Take the Mat
ter TO The President, but Intimates
that Men of Congregation May Act.
Mai Sylvester Says He UphOIdS
the Action of the Policeman.

While I feel that Hanline Church
has been treated with gross intolerance
and discourtcsy. and Inundated before
the people OF Washington. we will await
an explanation. but I will not appeal 20
the President OF any other authority for
relief. as has been published said Rev.
Charles E. Guthrie last night.
The conflict Of the police and public
park authorities that resulted IN DIT.
Guthrie and his flock OF 7yorshiP,rs be
ing elected from Iowa Circle on Sunday
evening has caused much Indignation
among church people in this city, and
1t is not definitely known just how far
the agitation may be carried by the con-
greEatiOn Of Hamline Church
According 10 the statements issued By
the pastor. the authorities who ordered
him and his band OF worshipers from the
park were more intolerant than was
necessary, and in view OF the fact that a
similar service had previously been held
at the same place. Il IS regarded by
many TO be an insult to the church IN
question
Denies the Statement.
The statements published yesterday
afternoon 70 the effect that I was 70
blame for the eviction Of myself and my
assistants from Iowa Circle IS al wrong. %
said Mr.. Guthrie last night 7 first IN
qui7ed Of the police authorities before re-
questing e permit 10 hold open-air serv-
Ices. and not until they notified me that
such procedure was lawful did I apply
for a permit I followed the Instructions
OF Maj. Sylvester before beginning our
service Sunday az Iowa Circle. I did
what theX told me. and thought I was
acting within the province Of the permit
when accosted by the park officer and told
10 move On
However. I am not standing Up as an
example OF injured innocence. and 90
not anticipate any action in the matter
at the present time While I have rea-
son 70 believe there has been some oh
lection 10 our meetings in public places.
K never occurred 20 ne the prejudices
we're so strong. some Of the male mem
bers OF the congregation may take the
matter before the Commissioners. bit cf
this I am not certain
1T IS evident by the fact that none Of
the authorities came TO warn Us against
holding our public service IN the park
that they intended 70 eKpel Us from the
day evening We have not given up
the idea OF continuing our open-aIr serv-
ices, and VIII conduct them with Uu-
diminished vigor IN the future"
IN discussing the matter yesterday
Mai Sylvester declared the whole affair
was caused by a mistake on the part OF
the pastor
I regret the mistake occurred, said
he Mr. Guthrie was given permission
10 preach and hold service IN Iowa cir
Gle, OF that portion OF public thorough
fare surrounding the park
Calls 1t Unfortunate.
Tt IS regretta5le and unfortunate that
he should have misinterpreted the order.
but no blame can be attached either to
this Office OF 20 the authorities in charge
OF the parks"
The same view Of the situation was
taken by Col Bromwell, superintendent
Of parks. who characterized the matter
as a mistake on the part OF Mr.. Guthrie
due 70 his ignorance Of the park reguIa-
tons
Had Mr.. Guthrie applied 10 me for a
permit 70 hold service IN Iowa Circle.
would have let him have It. The permit
he obtained in no way affected the park
but related entirely to Iowa circle, or
the circle surrounding the park I en-
tirely uphold Policeman A D. Thomas in