The Washington times., 1911-03-29
THREATEN REBUKE
FOR POKER PASTOR
Some Brethren Peeved by
Baltimore Minister'S Cru
sade Method.

That the Baltimore conference of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. now in
session mere, may take action with re-
gard to the part played by the Rev. C.
S. Bisgs. Of Baltimore, in the investiga-
tion Of the Baltimore police commission
ers is an admitted possibility. Zest was
given the rCrnor by the arrival in Wash
Ington this morning Of Mr.. Biggs him
self.
In the trial of the police commits
,sioners, held yesterday in Baltimore,
Mr.. Biggs told Of sitting in a poker
game, opening a jack pot without the
proper cards. and OF placing money on
faro layout-aIl in an effort to dis
cover whether the Baltimore police are
in league with the crime and lawless-
ness Of the city.
1t is agreed by the ministers attend
Ing the conference here that 1t behooves
the ministry to cooperate in investiga-
llon OF conditions In Baltimore; but
they are divided on the propriety OF
the methods employed by. Mr.. Biggs.
Ministers Divided.
The conference, If it takes any ac-
tion regarding the matter" said a min
lister, when questioned this morning by
a Times representative, would pass
resolutions of criticism or Endorsement
Of Mr.. Biggs. The fact that he was in
yestigating conditions in Baltimore with
a view to raising the moral standard
Of the city. would preclude the posi-
bility of his being turned out of the
coAference."
Absurd was the verdict of Mr..
Biggs himself, when asked If he had
heard II rumored that his action would
come up before the conference. Why,
everybody knows that the only way to
fight the police of Baltimore Is with
their own weapons. I am confident that
this conference will find nothing to
criticise in what l have done"
With tears and eulogies and with
bowed heads and hushed voices, 80
Methodist ministers this morning Joined
in the memorial services with which the
one hundred and twenty-seventh annual
convention of the Baltimore conference
of the Methodist Episcopal Church
opened at Douglas Memorial Church,
Eleventh and II streets northeast.
The opening exercises, which were
preceded by communion, commemorated
the services to Methodism OF six min
listers who died during the past year.
The were A. II. AmeS Henry Baker, w.
F. Curley., Conrad Hardecker, George Z.
Maydell, Joseph L. Smith, and John w.
Start.
Resolutions of regret on the death of
the Rev. John Edwards, of Baltimore,
were passed by the conference. and
committee was appointed to attend the
funeral of the deceased minister tomor-
row afternoon in Baltimore. The COM
mittee consists OF the Revs c. w. Bald
win, J. T. Wilson, ]. T. Wright, and
w. W. Van Arsdale. Eulogies of the
dead in whose honor the memorial SER
vice were held. were read by the Revs.
John R. Shannon. F. G. Porter. w: NJ.
NJ. Ferguson, w. I. McKenny, and c.
H. Richards
Effect Organization.
With Bishop william F. Anderson. Of
Chattanooga. presiding. the organiza-
ton of the conference was effected at
the morning meeting. The Rev. Frank
G. Porter was elected secretary, the
Rev. z. E. Marshall will act as sta
tistical secretary, and the Rev. John
r. Edwards as treasurer of the con-
ference.
The. afternoon session, convening at
23O o'clock this afternoon, is devoted
to the Women's Foreign Missionary So
ciety, the speaker Of the afternoon be-
ing the Rev. ]. NJ. NJ. Gray.
The following are the committees of
the conference: Educational institu-
tions, J., F. Heisse' y. v, Malta MalIa-
R. w, H. Welch; temperance and
prohibition. A. E. Spielman. L. w.
Gosnell. E. Fl. Lamar. w. NJ. Hoffman,
E. G. Gallagher; Epworth League. H.
w. Burgan, c. f. Ely. H. G. Spencer,
J. H. Jeffries: the Methodist. a pub
LEGATION. B. F. Devries. W. NJ. Ferguson,
Edward Hayes, c.. L. Pate, ]. R.. Ed
wards, 8. M. Afford. w. D. Beall c, d.
Taylor, w C. Harden. J. w. Hammers
ley: church benevolences, w. G. Mcneil,
]. N. Hyatt, w, T. Jarboe; L. NJ; Fer
S. s. Klyne, F. R. Bayley, W: W; Van
Arsdale, J: NJ, M: Gray !; N GiIium;
Dawson, R. L. Wright, A. H. Thomp-
son. G. R. GTose: Sunday schools schools J. 2.
Wrightson,, G. L. White; public worship,
W. w. Barnes. G: L. Pate A H
The conference is attended by several
hundred ministers and laymen from