The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1915-09-17
TRUSTEES TO ACT ON
DR.. HILLIS'S AFFAIRS.
Meeting of the Officials Of
Plymouth Church Is Called
for To-day.
SIGNED BY HIS ATTORNEY
News of Conference Follows
Resignation Of Frederick w.
Starr From the Board.

The trustees, deacons and other promi-
Brooklyn. have been invited to an un-
usual meeting in the City Investment
Building to-day to discuss among other
things the personal financial affairs OF
DR. Newell Dwight Hills, the pastor. DR.
Hillis's private business ventures, in
which he made and lost much money.
we're aired in an indefinite way in his
absence this summer. and despite the Sc
crecy enshroudlng to-day's meeting It is
believed that the we'll known preachers
plans for settling his financial affairs,
inasmuch as those plans concern the
church. will be tho subject OF considera-
tion.
The meeting was called by Frederick
w. llinrichs. attorney for Dr. Hills, who
has been in conference with the pastor
since the latter's return from the West
two weeks ago. The invitation to the
conference did not state what its purpose
was except TO say that the matter for
consideration was an important one. re-
quiring the presence Of all the trustees,
The invitations Informed the invited
Practitioners that their approval" was
requested 20 something involving the
business OF the church which Mr.. Hin
richs had to present To them.
just Back From West.
"Dr. Hills" said Mr. Hinrichs last
night IN reference TO the meeting to-
day, begins TO preach on Sunday. He
has just returned from lecture tour
OF the West; the summer is over and
the members of the church would like
to know what has been going on in
the affairs of the church recently. That
Is the reason for to-morruws meeting
Ii Is probable that Or Hillis's personal
financial affairs will be one OF the topics
discussed. but | cannot talk about mat
now"
News OF the meeting leaked out yes
terday in connection with the sudden
and unexpected resignation OF Frederick
w. Starr, acting chairman OF the board
or trustees OF Plymouth Church since
last April The reason for the resigna-
tion is not known. Mr.. Hinrichs dis
claimed any knowledge of the resigna-
tion. but 1t was confirmed by T. w
Lauterdale treasurer of the board. Mr..
Lauterdale said IL had been submitted
several days ago, but probably would
not be acted upon by the board until "A
meeting In October.
Mr. Starr was member OF the church
board for many years and succeeded TO
the chairmanship after the resignation
OF Frank L. Ferguson, Dr Hillis's rem
resentatiye in his business deals for Ave
years. Mr.. Ferguson's resignation fol-
lowed 1t was said at the time, a break
with the pastor over financial and other
matters. Mr., Starr retained the chair
manship all summer while DR. Hilliss
financial transactions again were dis
cussed In the newspapers and elsewhere
The resignation coming so soon after
DR.. Hillis's return to the church is con-
sidered significant. At his Locust Val.
ley home last night Mr. Starr refused
to discuss the matter
The latest discussion OF DR. Hilliss
business entauglements grew out OF n
suit against him in Portland. Ore. on a
note for $4,000. In an interview at
that time-late last July-Dr Hills was
quoted as admitting that he had bor
rowed 100000 10 make good losses Of
his two nephews In business ventures
II has been known that Or Hills in
vested heavily in timber and coal lands
in the Northwest. At times he made
money out of his investments, but. AL
though his friends say that he has re-
duced his obligations greatly in the last
five years, II is also believed that few
know the extent Of his personal tinan-
cial losses.