Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-02-18
MATTER BEFORE CONGRESS
Col. George Truesdell Attacks .
Suggested Reform.
ADDRESS AT MASS MEETING
Opposition to Proposed Endorsement
Of Program Of the Board
Of Charities. a.


Washington ministers were expected to
manifest to the social reform program
planned for the District by the men and
religion forward movement. the contro-
versy confronting Congress over the
recommendation Of the board Of charities
for the separation Of public and private
charities yesterday afternoon was in
jected into the situation with q sudden
ness that preciuded possibility Of serious
friction along other lines and prdnAses to
furnish q more interesting wind-up to the
eight-day campaign than any feature
developed during the series OF religious
meetings
Charges that one Of tho thirty-two re-
forms recommended, which 10 an indorse-
ment Of the policy of the charities board.
had been framed with the view OF In
fiuencing Congress In favor Of this pol
icy. In spite Of the fact that local public
opinion IL known to be divided on the
matter, were made by George Truesdell
before a largely attended mass meeting
OF men at FIRST Congregational Church.
Col Truesdell declared that the recon-
mendation was Inappropriate, and hinted
that the men and religion forward move
ment was being made q cats paw of with
a view to furtherfng the interests OF the
charities board.
Mr.. Pierce Explains.
Although Lyman L. Pierce, who pre-
sided, stated that the social program
consisted merely Of recommendation.
and that the Individual churches were
to decide whether or not they would
adopt them. this explanation did not
satisfy Col. Truesdell. who insisted
that unless the Recommendation was
repudiated It would have the eject OF
Q practical Endorsement by the RELIGIOUS
movement. Unanimous consent to have
the recommendation stricken cut was
motion failed to carry.
In criticis1ng the social service COM
mittee for recommending legislation to
gradually abolish support from public
private control Col Truesdell stated
that the committee had taken this action
without hearing Representatives Of the
hospitals proposed to be abolished. He
pearances, had acted without being In
full possession Of all the fActs in the
case.
Speaking Of the matter last night, he
he had been informed that the specialists
who have been conducting tho campaign
were more responsible for tho recon-
mendations than were the members OF
case, they have been guilty Of trying to
abolish very useful institutions in the
District without having sufficiently in
vestigated the merits OF the case, he de-
clared.
Other Recommendation Made.
In addition to the thrty-two recon-
mendations presented by the social serv-
Ice committee. many Of which are In ac-
cord with the policies Of the Monday
Evening Club, recommendations also
were presented by the other branches OF
the men and religion forward movement.
boys work. Bible study, community ex-
tension work. mission, evangelism and
publicity. All of the recommendations.
it was stated, were made merely as sug-
gestions to be considered later by the
various churches which have taken part
in the men and religion forward move
ment.
The opposition which Washington min
listers were expected to manifest to the
reform program was with respect to the
method OF executing it. Many Of the
pastors believe that the schedule Of work
not only would weigh upon them Oner
ously, but would seriously affect their
ability to give concentrated attention to
the preaching of their sermons at the
regular church services Sundays, a work
which they have not hesitated to say they
believed to be Of paramount importance.
Address to Older Boys.
Members Of the older boys conference
gathered last night at the Calvary Bap-
tist Church to hear an address by
Walter M. Wood Of Philadelphia on the
general topic of work among boys. Mr..
Wood illustrated his talk with graphic
diagrams on a blackboard. emphasizing
the Importance of securing an even de-
velopment Of the boy, so that he might
be we'll poised, then Of showing him
how to create for himself Q reserve
power or q surplus OF strength Of mind
and Of body. and finally Of using his
surplus In tho aid Of his fellows.