New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-05-08
FARLEY ASKS RETRACT|ON
Cardinal DispIeaSed at Stories
Regarding Catholic Charities.

Cardinal Farley, speaking At the annual
meeting Of the New York County FEEDER
alton Of Catholic Societies. in the Hotel
Astor, last night apparently took fling at
Controller Prendergast for his attitude as
shown by public statements made al vari-
Gus times in tine last year or more regard
ing Catholic charitsb BILE institutions recciv-
ing city funds
After first thanking Eugene A. Philbin
for presenting the case Of the row with
the city over appropriations and praisng
the federation. which he said was 100000
strong Cardinal Farley started in to de-
mand amends from those responsible fer
the recent charges against the Catholic in
stitutions. saving
This is not the end. | said in the be-
ginning OF this question that I would not
rest until the accusations against the
Church that represent be retracted. and
say now that will not rest until they be
retracted publicly"
Then the Cariinsl said that ten years
ago. when the federation was organized he
feared 1t might fall into the hands OF poll
ticians, but that he was glad to be able 10
say that It had not, ard that it was doing
good and great work.
Have an eve for those who will go
about, conscientiously feeling. perhaps, al
though doubt 1t, that they act in the SER
vice Of God when they steal the soul OF .
child" said Cardinal Farley. There are
forces in this city with millions behind
them that are seeking the souls OF chill
diem.
The number Of Catholics IN penal tnsti-
tUtions is far too great" added Cardinal
Farley, after slight pause. "And you
and all Of us must cooperate in remedytng
that condition"
Cardinal Farley then touched on divorce
saying that the passive attitude assumed
by the Church was not enough: that II wae
high time that the Church took q more
active part against il. He said he had read
that a womans organization in Massa-
chusetts was cultivatng hostility against
divorces and that they were setting out to
restrict remarriage OF divorces.
1T will be hard TO eliminate this scourge,
which is worse than the cholera. because It
strikes at the root of society" said the
Cardinal. Divorce Is nothing but incipient
free love ard free love is che OF the planks
which Socialists admit are part OF their
platform"
He then read a clipping Of what he said
was "Socialist-anarchist publication"
which went on TO deny the existence OF
God. After reading II, he said:
Il have good reason 10 believe that tina
Socialists feel that the Catholic Church Is
the only barrier to their progress and that
they are making every effort 20 insinuate
their doctrines among Catholics. I am
making every effort that the people rep
resent will not fall victims 10 this diaboli-
cal institution. II is absurd for them TO
say that you can hold 10 any creed a!.d
still be a Socialist and then invite "ou
into IN organization that denies the fuHda-
mentals Of your faith.
Eat drink and be merry. for to-mor-
row YOU die; that is the thing on which
they base their appeal" continued Cardinal
Farley 1T is not 10 be wondered al that
some are caught by this claptrap."
Mr.. Phlbin warmly defended the Catho-
lie charitable institutions against the re-
cent attack by Controller Prendergast
earlier in the evening. He said that not
one cent Of the money that had been paid
by the city or any contributor 70 Catholic
institutions had been unaccounted for ana
that every penny given 70 Cathonc institu-
lions designed for charity had found It's
way 10 the object for which 1t was de-
Frank ". Smith. chief clerk OF the Court
of Special Sessions, presided He repre-
sented the knights Of Columbus delegs-
ton and was elected president OF the fed
Grafton for the ensuing year.
Among the Catholic organizations repre-
sented were the Knights OF Columbus the
St Vincent de Pauls Society and the Holy
Name Society and their affiliated BODIES.