The Washington times., 1915-03-07
COrrects Erroneous" Impression.

To the Editor of THE TIMES:
In the various editions OF The Times
OF March !. there appeared 4 Conspcu-
ous news report respecting the meeting
on the Preceding day OF the Washing
ton Secular League which. while having
u basis OF truth. conveyed a very er
rOneous impression and involved a scrl-
ous unmcrited reflection on the Secular
League and the audience present.
The invited speaker before the league.
Prof. Frank O'Ilara, Of the Catholic
University Of America, was treated with
entire courtesy and respect by the Of
tcers and members of the league and
the large audience present until. three
hours after the meeting had opned and
more than an hour after the close OF
statement and inquiry by 4 youns won-
IN, II say II IL damned lie
Earlier in the discussion the young
woman had made certain charges against
the Roman tathcliC Church in Spain.
and In his reioinder Prof. OHara had
said that he could not characterize in
parliamentary language the statements 8
she nad made and that she wou Id make
good addition to the stan OF GER
tain publication whyh he had charged
with dishonorable and libelous methods.
When Prof. O'Hara was through the
young woman secured recognition Tor
Drler Stdteuent, anu. u Tue
language which had been used with
reference to her and her statements,
announced that she could procure and
produce documentary proof OF par
ticular allegation to which Prof: O1iara
had especially excepted. and asked what
he had to say to that:
While she was speaking Prof, O'Hara
had indulged In loud "ha' ha'' on the
platform and fOioTsd Sdre this WITH hi.sss ,ss
tnen and other expressions OF disap-
proval and demands that the utterance
be retracted. Many in the audience
arose to their feet and there was AMI
mated conversation and more or less
confusion and disorder.
A motion was made and ADOPTED al
most unanimously calling on troi'
OHara for a retraction ana apology
but he declined to make any. Aiter
audience quiet and seated again. the
president declared the meeting ad-
journed.
This is true account OF the Incl
dent on which your report was paseu
and explains how and why the meet
ing broke up in disorder. II any
abuse and threats of personal vio-
Ience were hurled at Prof. O'Hara
they were not heard by any or the
undersigned, who were present, anu
any such threats did not proceed from
or represent the membership or the
Secular League.
Prof. O'Hara was not driven from
the platform." as the heading OF your
report asserted. but left the platform
OF his own accord. and so far as We
know and believe suffered not the
slightest physical molestation.
Prof. O'Hars was not in6rrupte "a
during his address on The CathoHc
as Citizen" but was given the most
suffered no disorderly interruption at
any other time
The act oS the Secular League in
of the fact that at meeting last
season at which the sub ject was pre-
scented by another speaker from an
other viewpoint Prof. OHara was
present and showed pronounced dis
position to debate the subject; The
invitation was inspired by disposi-
ton not only to have the side OF the
question represented by Prof. OIlara
given hearing. but also to promote
a better understanding and feeling
| in the matter. The meeting of last
Sunday was conducted entirely In this
| spirit. and no doubt would have pro-
NOTED that end but for the act OF Prof
| O'Hara himself.
In this spirit and in courtesy to
| Prof. OHara members OF the league
at the request OF the president, dis
tributed to the audience copies OF q
pamphlet issued by the supreme board
of directors of the Knights Of Colum-
| bus. time being given for this.
In view of the real spirit and atti-
tude OF the Secular League in this en-
| tire matter it is most unjust 10 ii that
| the public should have been given the
impression and Interpretation OF la
Sundays meeting which have gone
forth. JOHN y. BRADLEY. presi-
dent; liYLAND &. KIRK, vice presi-
dent; a. b. BADEN, secretary FRAN
lCIs D. SCOTT. treasurer.