Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-04-30
CARR ANSWERS
PACIFIST CRITIC
Attacked in Meeting by Jo-
seph Elkinton, He Re-
Dukes Assailant
THEATRE IN AN UPROAR
Chairman of Home Defense
Committee Resents Utterance
of Wealthy Quaker

George Wentworth Carr, secretary OF the
Home Defense Committee. today replied
formally TO an attack made on him by
Joseph ElSinton at services of the Lemon
Hin Association in the Forrest Theatre
last night Mr. Elkinton is millionaire
member of the Society of Friends and Is
pachst.
After Mr. carr had made a stirring ap-
peal TO young men "to enlist before they
were forced TO-" Mr. Elltinson. who fol-
lowed him ON the platform said
Judging from his remarks, one might be
inclined 10 wonder II he believes in a
Saviour"
Instantly Mr. Carr was on his feet in
anger Several hundred sailors and ma
rines who had been invited nearly broke
up the meeting with cries of "lraltpr
and put him OUT After much confusion
and considerable danger to The personal
safety of Mr.. Elkinton, order was restored
by the Rev. Dr. James +. Ely, who, shout
ing above the tumult, managed to announce
the name of the next speaker and quiet the
offended sailors.
MIR. CARRS STATEMENT
After reviewing his speech in an inter
view Mr. Carr today made the following
personal attack on him:
Mr. Elkinton followed me on the plat
form and at once entered upon persona
attack He said that had not referred tc
God in the course of my remarks ana Una
he did not believe the spirit of God was ir
my heart and doubted whether | believed II
Saviour
After finishing n eulogy of the Societ!
of Friends, Mr. Elkinton began another at
tack on me. Concluding that the matte
had gone far enough, | arose to my fee
and told him | was there at the invitation
Of the association and that l did not pro
pose to be insuuted any longer. l fur
ther offered to engage in debate witt
| him on different occasion.
"I was the more ncensed because TIL
attack on me was a gross insult to tn
sailors soldiers and marines who wer
| there as invited guests of the association
| They had already done what l was ask
ing the young men in my audience to dc
"In my opinion, the time has ended 70
| discussion of pacifcism. This countr
| is at war The conscientious objector' ma
be free to express his opinion. but 70
| him to try to dissuade others from enlist
| ing is, in my opinion, disloyalty, hardl
less reasonable than telling the enemy G
the movements of our troops
THEATRE IN UPROAR
For a few minutes after the troubl
| started the theatre was in an uproar, and
| began to look as if one-half the audenc
was leaving. However, all the civilians r.
manned in their seats,
| Mr. Elknton, apparently dazed by the ir
terruption and surprised at Mr. Carr's a
tack stopped speaking and sat down. where
upon the Rev Or. James b. Ely. who wa
conducting the Lemon Hill Association NEE
ing came forward and implored the youn
| tarS TO return.
Listen. men,. listen" cried the mlniste
This is a great republic. We must liste
to both sides and act like gentlemen. r
| member. this is the Sabbath might and v
are here to listen to n sermon. Do you wal
TO hear the sermon?'
"Yes SIR" replied many of the marine
and sailors, and general movement to r
turn to their seats began, although fifty {
more left.
Mr. Carr had been invited by Doct'
| Ely to explain the objects of the Hon
. | Defense Reserves He told the audien
that 81 900 men, beyond military age, we
| wanted to act as a reserve in case OF II
ternal disorders, and urged young men
| military age to enlist in the army or NAV
! before the selective service bill becom
| effective.