Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-09-24
IDR. FORD OFFERS
| LETTERS IN DEFENSE
Financial Deal Causes Stormy
Debate In Methodist
Conference

hoseDurg, OIe., sept 24.-'I have
been involved in charges which are
meant to show questionable financial
dealings, and which, if founded, would
result in serious injury to my reputa.
tion," DIR. 7. B. Ford of Oregon CITY,
1 declared yesterday, as he faced several
hundred ministerial delegates in attend.
ance at the annual conference of the
Methodist Episcopal c;urch.
Supreme silence followed. DR.. Ford
continued III declare to the open con
ference and before God that these
charges are false and l know too well
my service to the church to impheate
myself in such affairs"
Although admitting openly that his
son, O. +. Ford of Portland, had be-
come obligated to Robert C. Motor a
member of the Columbia conference. in
the sum of $4,000, DR.. Ford said he was
not involved to the extent of cent.
Secretary Compares Statement.
/ Here DIR. Rarick, the secretary of the
conference, then confessed to having
made statement sregarding DR.. Ford Is
reputed troubles. Nv cOntended that
his statements were justified by let
ter he had received from Mr.. Motor.
Although intimating that this letter
contained authority for his remarks,
DR.. Rarick refused to make its con
tents known either in open conference
or at private meeting of leading
churchmen that followed.
It xuos eoid bara ton;rLt 4LnA ~ -
persons in attendance at the conference
have copies of the letter in possession
of DR.. Rarick and that lt contains moth
ing detrimental to Dr. Ford
Bishop Gains Debate.
"Let us have peace and quietness, :"
interposed Bishop Cook at this stage CT
the proceedings. Various suggestions
were then made for final determination
of the matter, the bishop pointing ont
three ways of hearing each side Of the
controversy.
One was to appoint select commit
tee to make an investigation, another
to appoint commission, while the
third was to debate in executive ses.
sion. Bishop Cooke urged that there
DC dc lltlkC us UOSSlDlt anu
the matter was dropped.
AS the suggestions for disposing of
the controversy were being discussed
the following letter written by Robert
Motor, and addressed 10 DR.. Ford was
read in open conference:
" Hope, Idaho, Aug. 16,-To Whom 1t
May Concern:-Having learned that it
has been circulated that the Rev. T. b.
Ford had borrowed of me $4,000 and had
failed to pay it, wish to state that
such is wholly untrue. 1t was his sou,
o. F. Ford, to whom I loaned the money,
the doctor assuming no responsibility
whatsoever in the matter.
Character Testimony Given.
~ would say also that / have been
acquainted with DIR. Ford since Feb.
ruary, 1872, at which time | was
licensed to preach he being the presd.
ing elder of the quarterly conference
and appointed me to work in his dis
, triet From that time we became more
and more intimate and quite closely as
soeiated in the work OF the ministry SO
: that in my home in his home, in camp
anu All JVul llE vi HulhtUSky Wy
coach and rail, never heard him say
or do anything inconsistent with the
most gentlemaniy character, and as
presiding elder, or pastor, ever to mis-
treat or injure any person.
81 gladly give this testimony to the
good character of DIR. Ford, and hold
it privilege to have had the favor Of
his acquaintance and friendship.
"'ROBERT C. MOTOR"
Rev. Z. C. Cline and DR.. Clarence
True Wilson had much to do in restor-
ing harmony Dr. Cline confessed to his
blunder in repeating the purported
transaction after hearing about II.
Bishops Relative Dies.
DR.. James Moore, Of the Salem dis
trict, reported that 30 new buildings
had been erected under his supervision
the past year, including eight parson-
ages and / new churches. He said
the property had increased 100000 in
value, and 1900 members had been
added 10 the church. At this after.
noon IS session Bishop Cooke received a
telegram announcing the death Of his
sister.in.law, Miss Lizzie Fisher.
The feature Of last nights session Of
the conference was the address by DR..