Evening journal., 1917-03-29
NHE REV. DIR. ROBERT WATT,
s. erintendent Of Wilmington NJ. Z.
District.
STAFF Correspondent.


sEAFORD. Del, March 29.-The con-
troversy in which the Rev. George A..
Cooke, suspended pastor of Wesley NJ.
L. Church, Wilmington. has had a stellar
part. came before the Wilmington Meth
odlst Episcopal Conference today, when
the Rev. Mr.. Cooke preferred charges
of maladministration and malfeasance
against the Rev. DR.. Robert Watt, SUI
perintendent of Wilmington district.
Dr. Watt demanded that the charges
be read in open session, which was done,
and then the Conference voted to refer
the charges to an executive session.
Shortly afterward, when the name
Of DR.. Cooke was called in order that
his character might be reported upon
announcement was made that charges
had been preferred against him. They,
too, were referred to the Conference
executive session to be held this after
noon. The charges are those held in
allegiance at the Asbury Church in
Vestigation in Wilmington. At that
time Mr. Cooke was found guilty on
one charge and four other charges
against him were held up. Il is said
some specifications may be added to
original charges.
Ii is said Mr.. Cooke may be called to
trial before a select committee, or
Jury. it is said, and not before the en-
tire Conference. Such a trial would
be conducted secretly. it is believed.
II was said today that Bishop Nc
Dowell is endeavoring to secure
Bishop Neely. of Philadelphia, who is
retired to preside over the trial OF
Mr.. Cooke.
In Conference session today, Dis
trict superintendent Robert Watt
presented the appeals Of the Rev.
George A. Cooke, former pastor of
Wesley Church, Wilmington, from
decisions made by Dr. Watt at the
second and third quarterly confer
ences at Wesley Church The docu-
ments were not read Bishop Nc
Dowell stated that he would take
them under advisement for future
action.
Cooke Files Charges.
The Bishop called for the character
OF DR.. Watt as superintendent of Will
mington District, as required by the
Discipline The Rev. Mr.. Cooke arose
and Informed the Bishop that charges
had been preferred against DR.. Watt.
The Bishop suggested that the
charges be referred to the executive
session.
Mr. Watt stated that the subject
matter of the charges was all con-
tanned in the decisions referred TO-
and then demanded that the charges
ho read In open session. To this
MIR Cooke agreed. with the proviso
that the same publicity be given the
charges against him when the time
came.
The bishop announced that that wa
n matter for Conference decision.
The charges against Or. Watt thei
were read, as follows Charge one Il
maladministrat.on.
Specification one alleges that DR.
Watt knowingly and wilfully made two
nartisan rulings at the second quar-
lerly conference held in Wesle,
Church on or about September liz
1916 The intent Of these rulings wa
10 favor a dsloyal faction against tn
,astor and the loyal members.
Specification two charges that at IN
third quarterly conference Dr. Wat
knowingly and wilfully made two iud
risl rulings which prevented the churc
from removing trustees and stewards 70
cause. and had the effect of hndorin
,he pastor in his work and intenslf
the opposition to him.
Charge two IS malfeasance IN oflic
This is a new charge against Dr. Wat
Specification one alleges that q
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