New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-05-23
UN|TAR|ANS IN TEMPER
Heated Debate Over Charges
Against Their Directors.
INVESTIGATION TO BE MADE
Officials Accused of Using Un-
due Influence to Keep Rad
ical" Ministers from Pulpits.

Boston. May 22.-The directors OF the
American Unitarian Association were ac-
cused OF having used undue influence ~
keep ministers with radical or advanced
ideas out Of Unitarian pulpts at the meet
ing Of the Unitarian Fellowship for Social
Justice to-day.
over motion TO pass immediate cen
sure on the officers OF the association
arose heated debate. with the result
that a committee was authorized 10 in
vestigate all complaints Of TIE directors
action and 70 make recommendations be-
fore next years meeting OF the fellow
ship. Tie Rev. Edgar Swan Welrs. of
Montclair. n. j.. was In the chair.
Low down conduct" and "skulduggery'
were the terms which the Rev. Frank
Clifford. of Sandwich. used IN character
izing the action Of the Unitarian direc-
tors now in charge Of pulpit supply. As
secretary of the meeting he began TO
read a bill Of accusations against the
directors for their conduct toward the
Rev Paul Harris Drake. once pastor 81
the Unitarian Church in Saco. Me. and
now without pulpit.
The Rev. John Haynes Holmes. ~ New
York City. protested against the reading
Of the letter.
Urges Investigation.
o-rbfc &c not a rnat,or IN which ue 70
qualified TO take action now" said Mr..
Holmes. land II seems 10 me we arc
wholly unjustifed IN making public at this
time charges OF so serious q character.
Personally. ! believe that charges enough
Of sufficiently serious character have al
ready been brought I'm this community
alone which would tend TO show that
some action is necessary II the freedom
OF orr ministry is TO be maintained The
necessity is 10 establish those charges.
II we act now the directors will lend but
scant attention 20 our protest. IT, how
ever, We make a thorough investigation
and then take deliberate action upon the
basis OF sound facts believe the directors
will listen willingly TO what we have TO
say"
Earlier in the session there was a debate
over the action that should be taken by
the Fellowship I'm regard TO Arlington
Street Unitarian Church. which refused to
admit the speakers engaged by the Eel
lowship to make addresses last Sunday
evening.
A motion was passed instructing the
secretary to write a letter 10 the Rev.
Paul Revere rockingham. pastor OF the
Arlington street church, setting forth the
friendly attitude OF the Fellowship toward
his conduct in the matter.
Hale Statue Unveiled.
A heroic bronze statue OF the late Rev.
DR.. Edward Everett Hale. erected near
the Charles street mall OF the Public Gar
den. was unveiled by the Unitarian Asso-
citation to-day. The exercises began In
the Arlington street church. where ex-
President William Howard Taft. ex-Gov-
ernor John ID. Long and the Rev. James
De Normande made addresses.
The former President told OF his init
mate association with DR.. Hale. while the
latter was chaplain OF the United States
Senate, and of the inspiration which he
gained through contact with the cheerful
helpful and hopeful spirit OF the clergy
man.
The company then crossed the Public
Garden, and Edward Everett Hale. Sd. OF
New York, unveiled the statue, which Is
the work OF Bella Draft. Mayor Fitz-
gerald accepted the statue on behalf OF
the city.