Evening journal., 1917-01-25

, take an early train out OF the cltSs
The witness testified he had been
district superintendent and has
been IN the cabinet" with Dr. Watt.
He had found DR.. Watt, he sald,
manifestly fair in his association with
his brethren and In cabinet meet
ings he often had been able to break
the deadlock and assist In straighten-
ing out tangles in affairs. He never
had been accused OF being unht 10
handle the appointments OF the meet
inss.
Under ross-examination he said
he had been a friend OF DR.. Watt
for many years and had not found
him biased in his dealings with his
enemies and had observed no dispo-
sition by him 70 treat his enemies un-
fairly.
The testimony was read TO Mr..
Stephenson and signed by him.
Following a ruling by DR. Wise that
no further consideration could be Civ
en- to amendments. Mr.. Cooke asked
II he might speak, and on being told
that he might do so announced that
he pleaded not guilty 70 the charges
In general and justification In the
matter OF some Of the specifications.
He then requested the right 70
open and close the trial on the ground
that he had pleaded justification. but
this was overruled by Dr. Wise be-
cause the justification was pleaded
only on a part OF the charges.
Mr. Dashiell then opened the case
for the church on the specifications
relating to defamation, by presenting
/, what he called exhibit a." letter
} to the Right Rev. Bishop Mcdowell,
J of Wilmington, bringing charges
: against DR. Watt and asking that
the letter be read by tho secretary.
The alleged charges of refusal
10 consult with the pastor Of Wes'
, ley M. 10. Church regarding az
fairs there prior TO and during the
trial Of Clayton L. Crew, and other
matters alleged 70 have interferred
with his, Cookies. settling dissensioni
. in the church growing out OF con-
troversy over the Crew affair.
At this stage OF the prooeeding'
. at the request OF Mr.. Dashiell and
without objection from the defendant
the Right Rev. Joseph r. Berry
Bishop Of Philadelphia area, wal
called out of the regular order tc
permit his early return home.
Bishop Berry testified that he had
known DR.. Watt for some time. had
" been associated with him In at leas
= two cabinets and had never found
him overbearing nor unreasonable. HI
J. said he thought DR.. Watt was an en-
o inently proper person 20 be entrusted
l. with the deetinieB of the brethren
under him. He said that Mr. Cookei
n name at an annual conference haS
been removed from the designation
y OF Wesley NJ. r. Church and PLACED
l. opposite that Of Rock Hall. and thei
q had been restored at the request o
n DR.. Watt He said he never had
d heard any suggestion that DR.. Wat
l. had been guilty OF underhand OF
y unfair methods.
a Under ross-exnmination. Bishol
= Berry was asked by Mr.. Cooke VIII
d Il had been suggested that he, Cooke
Va be sent to Rock Hall. and reptile
that he, the Bishop, thought Nj
"A Cooke would do the least harm theT
A. OF any place he could so.
sr Further questions we're ruled o'
re- by the court on the ground that n
n. matter they covered could not
sr brought out In GROSS examination
n. they had not been considered In u
,e examination I'm chief.
,d The Rev. Or. Robert watt testihs
that his first ofiiclal relations wit
"A Pastor Cooke we're in the spring
NJ 1915. His manner was gracious az
II he said he wanted 20 remain In WI
"A minEton because he wanted his sol
,s 10 have the beneft OF the schools her
DR.. Watt eaid another reason WI
a. given, but a escaped his memory. ID
y. Watt practically confirmed BishS
Berry's testimony as 20 the Rock He
a. matter.
. He testified that one year ago
!, preachers meeting az Mt. Sale
us Church. when the matter Of the co
va ference claimants was up for discu
90 sion, Pastor Cooke had objected
M, the matter on the ground that II wou
not be a good thing TO provide tn
~ anv worn-out minister should be pc
n mltted TO live in luxury.
on Later. DIR. watt said, Mr.. Coo
.iv had come 20 him and said: "You h
zee better quit fighting me-" and he h
told Mr.. Cooke he was not hghti
DR.. him (Cooke), but he was opposed
is the way Mr.. Cooke had spoken abe
1 a the matter OF the conference amen
n ment.
TOP DIR. Watt said he recalled a te
out phone conversation IN which
| Il Cooke had said: "You will set yo'
later" and other violent stateme
ion which frightened members OF his IA
uld fly.
the Mr.. Dashien then introduced
m" ter as Exhibit B." from Mr.. Coo
fed and the answer Of DR.. Watt, conta
the ing innuendoes OF hard feeling by
ac- Cooke against DR.. Watt.
the DR.. Watt said he first detected si
ke. OF difficulty at Wesley Church at
ray time OF the first quarterly confere
red of 1915, and that II arose over e
ond mates OF the pastors salary. On
his occasion Mr.. Cooke broke In" on +
itu- ert S. Valleau in an abrupt way as
red latter was discussing the matter
tent DIR. Watt at that time reproved
ent. Cooke and requested him not
sed break In in that fashion.
DR.. DR.. Watt testified that the sec
ned quarterly conference was pr
lively affair He said that usually
on was accustomed TO stand back of
vor minister. but that on this occasion
felt he could not do this. He chall'
the ed ALI. he said, TO produce evide
the that he had interfered with Mr.. Co
In any way.
OF Mr.. Dashiell then introduced let
rict 10 show that DR.. Watt had beg
T IN Pastor Cooke not 20 make IL dim
'Veo for him (Watt), 20 support
un- (Cooke). and that Cooke had 'sp'
o ~. ed" the advice.
bel 1T. w. 9,'su - ~ Se,,c.