Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-13
SUNDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1919
AN UNFORTUNATE SITUATION.

Mn OtNF OH - 49,
The time-worn habit of certain types
of public speakers of "bying II On
the reporter" and Or. James Cannon's
own particular propensity for huntins
up excuses fer abusing all OF the Rlch-
mond papers except one, apparently
were responsible for the unfortrna'e
rupture between the Methodist Con-
ference of Virginia and three OF the
four daily newspapers of Richmond.
Many public speakers and others, IN
the heat OF debate. say things they DO
not mean, or. at least. things hey are
not willing 10 stand to when called
tn account. And 1t is not unusual Ior
such persons. when they see In colo
print something they didn't mean TO
say, or wish they hadn't said. to lay
1t on the reporter
Daring a session o: the Conference
In Richmond Thursday, John r.
branch. of Richmond. made what ap-
rear 10 have been somewhat warm re-
marks about DR.. Cannon's attitude ID
the Randolph Macon controversy. The
Times Dispatch the next morning re-
ported Mr. Branch as saying. In con-
clusion. "Now want YOU 10 tell why
Won have lost confidence. and to tell
the truth. II YOU can"
When Dr. Cannon saw this In print
he FASTENED 10 MIR. Branch and was
assured by that gentleman that he did
not ask DR.. Cannon 10 Itch he truth
il he could" and did not question the
doctors veracity. Whereupon DIR. Can
non brought the matter up in confer
enc.s and attempted to have the Times
Dispatch representative expelled from
the door OF the Conference. This ef-
fort failed. but yesterday the matter
was brought up again. Or. Cannon OBJ
jectinr to an explanatory article car
ried by the Times-Dispatch. and this
time. after 4 lengthy discussion the
Times Dispatch representative was or
dered cut by a rising vote. Such
pointed remarks were aimed at the re-
porfers for the Nswsi.eader and
Evening Journal that they left the
church with the Times-Dispatch man
This left no newspaper representative
en- the floor except the reporter for
the virginian. In which DIR. Cannon IL
interested and the policy Of which u
generally supposed to be controlled
by the doctor.
During the discussion yesterday sew
eral of the leading members OF the
Conference. including Mr.. Branch
himself. declared they dd not believe
the Times-D Dispatch reporter Intended
to misrepresert Mr.. Branch or Dr.
Cannon. Dr. S. c. Hatcher. pastor Of
the Broad Street Methodist church
explaining Mr.. Branch's statement
said. What he evidently meant was.
Tell US the truth and give reason.
II you can Rev. +. 7. Dadnun
though Mr.. Branch said. Nov. speak
the truth. and give MS a reason. II
yog can
Comparing the Times-Dsspatch re
porf With the versions Of DIT. Hatcher
and Mr.. Dadmun. there seems TO be
mighty little difference 70 row over
II Mr.. Branch cautioned DR.. Cannon q
speak the ruth" and give q reason
81 you can be came about as nes'
resectine upon the doctors veracit,
a. be would nave By saying give "a
q reascn7 and speak The truth. II yos
can And IL must be remembered
hat Dr. Bafchrr and Mr.. n,dmur
were quoting from memory. While tn
reporter. paid hy his paper % turn a
accurate sccoon,s Of she conference
proceedings. wrote What BE usder
STOOD NJ. Branch 70 Gag while NJ
Branch was taking
Prom every point % yisU. 4 Is e
tr-1aely unsorsuna'e tat The troabi
<acria have happened Tse Cont>'
ence sAouif have more inyorizn
thIaes 70 occnpS &C. sffsntloa IA
rows b><<een newspapers srs ID
Cannon. o. between nev=p>pers "a