The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1912-02-13
BOYS BRIGADE TO
IGNORE DISBANDING
ORDER OF RECTOR
Hope to Regain Rifles by
Replevin Suit and Con-
- tinue Drilling.

Although the Boys Brigade OF
Christ Protestant Episcopal church, GO
G street southeast, has been disbanded
by the rector, the Rev. Arthur S. Johns,
members of the two companies declared
today theS will continue drilling in an
other hall until after Easter. They
hope to regain possession of their rifles,
as the result of a replcvln suit started
by former Commandant Frederick NJ.
Kerby. This suit will be heard in Mu-
nicipal Court February 26.
In the meantime the rifles are in pos
session of the United States authorities,
Deputy Marshal S. b. Callahan having
rcplevined them last evening from YES
tryman James Berry.
The disagreement between the Rev.
Mr. Johns and Mr.. Herby has divided
the congregation into two factions, ana
the matter will come to an issue at the
parish meeting Easter Monday night.
At that time the kerby faction expects
to win and to elect Vestry when VIII
favor their contentious. If so, they
believe new rector will be named
to- replace Mr.. Johns and that the
Boys Brigade will be reinstated. The
faction supporting the rector Is just
as certain it will be victorious.
VeStry Also Divided.
At present the vestry stands four to
four, but the anti-JohnS men have con-
tended all along that the election OF
two members to fill vacancies last De-
Cember was illegal. 1t is asserted that
the Rev Dr. Johns voted twice on the
issue. once as "a member of the cor
porate body of the church, and once
"to break the tie" The tie was created
at this meeting on the first vote.
The rifles seized last night were in the
attic of the parsonage, where they mad
been taken by Mr.. Berry at the direc-
H. coll al 10 In
dismissal of Commandant kerby. These
rifles were sold by the War Department.
to the Boys Brigade on certification first
to the Chief of Police, and then by
him to the War Department that they
would be used for Boys Brigade pur-
poses only. The Kerby adherentS assert
that removal of the rifles to the parson-
age was a technical violation of the
contract under which the War Depart
ment sold them.
Bishop Harding so far has sustained
the Rev. Mr.. Johns. and it Is on the
bishops ADVICE that the order disband-
Ing the Bows Brigade was issued. On
the other hand the men and women of
the parish opposed to Mr.. johns say
they have the assurance of the bishop
that If they win at the parish meeting
he will not oppose them.
The rector of Christ Church is in poor
health, and is now in sanitarium at
Rockville. , At meeting OF the t Nestry
night Mr.. Johns was granted six
months leave of absence.
.as.l Order of DISARMAMENT.
Mr.. Berry this morning made public
the official order disbanding the brigade.
The Rev. Mr.. Johns, writing to Capt.
A Earl Hutchinson, says:
"Sir: The continual abuse of church
property, undisciplined and disgraceful
conduct AMI acts of INSTRUMENTATION on
the part OF a number of officers ard
members of the United Boys Brigade
of America as organized in Washington
parish, acts which the organization was
warned some time since, if continued
would result in the disarmament o.
tho organization, has resulted in making
it my duty to declare the said Boys
Brigade, heretofore, existing at the par
ish, disbanded, and it can and will no
longer be recognized as an organization
of Washington parish.
"ReGrettinT to have to take this aC-
ton, of which please consider this a
formal notice to you, | am, yours very
truly, 'ARTiltR S. JOHNS,
"PeCtOr Washington Parish"
Bishop Harding in letter to the Rev.
MIR. Johns expresses his appreciation of
the disbahdment OF the brigade.