The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-07
MONTAGUE CHARGES
MAY CAUSE SPLIT At
HOWARD COLLEGE
Misunderstanding With DR..
Macon May Be Aired Be-
fore Convention
TRUSTEES NOT ABLE TO
AGREE ON QUESTION
Friends of Both Educators Are Actively
at Work and the Outcome of the
Controversy VIII BE Awaited
With Interest

The most active EFFORTS are being
made by the executive committee of the
board of trustees of Howard college to
arrange amicably the misunderstanding
which has developed between President
A. P. Montague of that institution and
and until recently dean of the faculty
And If the efforts of this committee
fail it is said that the college will be
in the limelight when the State Baptist
convention meets at Albertville July 10
From information gathered yesterday
it develops that in his report to the
board OF trustees, in May last Presi-
dent Montague made some rather severe
reflections upon DR.. Macon. The board
declined to act hastily in the matter and
referred the question to the executive
committee. That committee has been
unable to hold a fully attended meet
Ing and the issue now almost faces
public investigation at the convention.
DR.. Macon refuted the charges or in
VI IIcSiocut lnOHtd6uo WiilCn
action was followed closely by DR.. Ma
cons resignation as dean of the faculty.
He was on the point of resigning as
professor of biology when some of the
friends of DIR. Macon called halt. Dr.
Mason of this city and DR.. Jones of
East Lake, who treated Dr. Macon, were
questioned and they signed statements
that DR.. Macon's condition was due to
his overwork at Howard and was in
nowise traceable to any unfortunate
habit he had formed. This reflected, so
1t is claimed, upon the tact of Presi-
dent Montague and his friends fear that
an investigation before the state asso-
citation will be followed by startling
developments.
DR.. Macon is one of the best known
educators in the south. He came to
been an able hand in guiding the affairs
of the college as dean. He is perhaps
better known to southern educators than
any man connected with any college III
the district
DR.. Macon is very sensitive to critt
cisms and his friends state that tho
shafts of charges fired by President
Montague have affected him very much.
He could not be located last night for a
statement
President Montague has been at How
ard as president for several years, dur
ing which time he is said to have Sc
cured more money for that institution
than any of his predecessors. The
charges of President Montague could
not. his friends say. have grown out Of
nothing and they claim DR.. Montague
is eminently tactful. So the Baptists
of this city as we'll as the people gen.
orally will probably be wrought up over
the first misunderstanding that has oc-
CURED at the college In many years.
The friends Of DR.. Macon. among them
some Of the most influential Baptists
of the state assert vehemently that the
charges are based upon a fabric that
cannot stand before the convention and
that DR.. Macon will be indicated an d
incidentally promoted by the state coz
yention.
Dickinson Lays 1t to jealousy
AN outcrop Of petty jealousy" was
the characterization given the differ
ences between President Montague and
DIR. Macon, by Rev. DR.. A. ]. Dickin-
son. pastor Of the First Baptist church
and one of the leading Baptists of the
state last night when questioned as to
the affair brewing between the two
educators. In addition to this DIR. Dick
inson said If one of the men resigned
the other would be forced to leave
THE whole truth of the matter is
that jealousy prompted the cha rges
made by Montague" said DR.. Dickin-
son. HE should never have been so
void of tact as to allow himself to
make such charge against Macon. The
charges cannot be sustained. Tho in
vestigation cannot now be made by any
other than the entire convention at AL
bertville in my opinion. 1t has gone
too far. I believe If Montague forces
Macon to leave then Macon's friends will
force Montague to leave. I esteem the
latter very much and believe he Is the
best fitted man for his place in the
state The entire business is regrettable,
but it may be safely put down as this.
Divided we both fall; united we both