Evening journal., 1916-05-08
LOBBY accused
By METHODISTS
Conference Resolutions Say
Sectarian Interests Seek
Money From Congress
COMMITTEE FAVORS
BIBLE IN SCHOOLS

SARATOGA SPRINGS, n. Y, May 8.
The General Conference OF the Meth
odist Episcopal Church closed the first
week OF its four weeks quadrennial
Legislative session Saturday. BY pass
ing resolution requesting Congress
to prohibit appropriations to sectarian
schools. No distinction was made be-
tween gifts made by the nation or
any of the States or municipalities
The resolution read as follows:
Whereas 81 years ago Protestant
churches generally decided to refuse
sectarian appropriations from Con-
gress for mission schools among the
Indians, and
Whereas, Congress then declared
its policy to make no more sectaran
appropriations. which the courts have
declared to be binding except on Con-
gress, which could break its own rule
which II has done year by year since
and.
Whereas. The United States Senate
unanimously voted to amend the In
dian bill passed by the House Of Rep
resentatives with the usual appropria-
ton for Catholic schools. with an
amendment providing for the estab-
lishment OF Government schools 50
that after one year there would be NO
occasion to make Government appro-
prIation for sectarian schools. and,
Whereas, The House bill as thus
amended by the Senate Committee was
not concurred in by the House and
the non-occurrence was sent TO a
conference committee. and.
Whereas. A powerful lobby work
ing in the interest OF sectarian appro-
priations has secured an agreement of
the Conference Committee to recedc
from the Senate amendment hoping
to defeat the bill In Congress by the
subterfuge OF a proposed investiga-
tion as to whether there are sufficient
Government schools to educate the
children on the several Indian reser.
yations; therefore. he It
Resolved. by the Twenty-seventf
Delegated Conference Of the Methodist
Episcopal Church.
First. We respectfully request the
Congress of the United States to Grad
lcate this root Of bitterness from oui
religious and civil life by submitting
n constitutional amendment prohibit
ing all sectarian appropriations wher
ever our flag floats, whether made b,
national, State or municipal govern
ments.
Second We respectfully urge tn
Senate and House of Representative
TO enact the Senate amendment int
law so that sectarian appropriation
shall not be continued longer thar
one year under any pretext, what
ever"
A resolution was passed favorinl
the reading of tbte Bible in public
schools.
The judiciary Committee complete,
its organization by electing Judg,
Henry Wade Rogers. OF the Unite,
States Circuit Court, chairman
Alexander Simpson. Jr., vice chair
man, and Oscar A. Knehans. secretary
A comprehensive plan designed tC
provide increased sums for mission
airy work in this and foreign coun
tries is expected TO be adopted by
the conference, according to many o
/ TIE delegates. Such action will re
suit because of appeals from bishops
in foreign lands. They have ASSERTED
that, although conditions arising from
the European war have Handicapped
their efforts, an opportunity will b,
pr. sented at the close of the confiic
for increased missionary work
A special committee probably will
recommend action this week on a re
port submitted by the finance com
mittee. in which it was asserted tina
]
their funds to expensive music anC
costly buildings, and are neglectinl
the missionary field.
! Decision on proposals of wide
spread importance to the church will
be reached this week as the result o
reports by committees to which hav'
been referred hundreds of memorials
from all the conferences in Metho
dism asking legislative changes. Tn,
| question of the union OF the Metho
dist churches OF America will be pre-
scented in the form OF a report from
committee to which was referred
favorable recommendation by th'
Commission on Federation.
Ritual Revision Up Today.
Proposed revision of the ritual
which is the special order of busines
for tomorrow. Is likely TO arous
much discussion Attempts to secur
revision in 1908 and 1912 were unsuC
cessful.
The importance of the "amusemen
question" is indicated by the submi'
sion Of nearly 40 memorials from cor
ferences which have varying view
as 20 the prohibition against car
playing, dancing and theatre goinl
The question will he discussed late
in the session.
Services in memory of bishops. o
ficers of the church and delegate
who have died since their election {
the General Conference were hel
yesterday Bishop Earl Cranston Z
Washington, presided.
SQUIRE RESERVES DECISION.