New Britain herald., 1916-05-03
CRITIC OF WILSON
 BOLDLY RECEIVED
M. E. Conference Indifferent to Attack on White House Menu

Saratoga Springs. N. Y. May g. Criticism of President Wilson for providing wine for guests at banquetS at the White House was expressed in resolutions submitted to the Meth odist general conference today by the Rev. James w. Anderson of Ore gOn, Mo. The resolution was coldly received by the 800 delegates, and was referred to the committee on temperance. Although the resolution was offered by pr. Anderson as an individual the entire Missouri delc- gation supported the action.
 The Resolution.
 The resolution in part follows:
 "Whereas, it has been reported through the public press that our president, the Hon. Woodrow Wilson, has restored the use of intoxicating liquors on state occasions at White House functions; therefore, be it re- solved by the general conference of the Methodist Episcopal church that we hereby express to the Hon. WoOd- row Wilson, president of the United States, our keen disappointment and regret for said action, especially at a time when the rulers of others nations have taken such advanced position with reference to intoxicating liquors, and when there is such widespread growing sentiment in our land in favor of total abstinence from all alcoholic beverages; and we, the dele gated representatives of more than four million members Of the Metho- dist Episcopal church hereby appeal to the president as a Christian gentle man to abolish the wine cup from all functions over which he had control thereby setting a worthy example and keeping pace with the forward move ments and Christian sentiment of the day.
 And furthermore, as the liquor beverage traffic has it's national or ganization, pays government revenue, so that for these and other reasons, it is a national issue, we most urgently request the president to give his en- dorsement and hearty support to the pending measures looking toward ma tiOn-wide prohibition of the liquor beverage traffic."
 Bishop John w. Hamilton of Bos- ton, presided at todays session. The resignation of Rev. Dr. George F. Mains, for twenty years a publishing
 
 was presented pr. Mains recently was exonerated of charges of heresy by the New Jersey conference and his resignation was offered in the inter ests of harmony and to prevent criti- cism of the Book Concern on account of the publication of an alleged heretical book written by him.
 The resignation of Dr. Levi Gilbert of Cincinnatj editor of the Western Christian Advocate, was followed by a discussion over the matter Of cOntin- uing his salary A motion to this eff feet was carried, but when Rev. J. J. Lace, of Grand Junction, Colo., pro- tested, the vote was recons1dered ana the matter referred to the book com mittee.
 The conference resumed it's sessions with the process or organization near ly completed and the way opened TOT the introduction of resolutions, me11i- orials and reports upon when acton to be taken on proposed church leg islation will be based. Suggestions made by the board of bishops in US report of Methodist activities during the last four years are being consid- cred by fifteen committees. who will also receive and discuss all memorials before they are submitted to the conference for final decision.
 The election of bishops. which us uallv takes place during the latter part of the month. will not have ali important part in the sessions until the committee on Episcopacy has de- cided the number to be chosen.
 The result of an "everX member canvass authorized by the general conference of 1912 to promote the unity and efficiency of the financial plan were outlined this morning by pr. Thomas Nicholson, representing the commission on finance. He stated that although the change has worked satisfa ctorily in some churches, Oth- CTS have devoted nearly their entire income to church buildings, music and their own purposes, leaving but little for home or foreign missions. Amendments designed to strengthen the plan were suggested.