Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1917-07-04
REV. C. I. WILSON
. is UNDER CHARGES
BY FELLOW WORKER
Harry Mccain. of Salem, Re-
fuses to Diyulge Nature Of
Accusations

odist Episcopal church, meeting il
Portland tomorrow under direction OF
the Rev. William Wallace Youngson
district superintendent, win investigate
charges of lying, defamation OF char
acter and violation of law, brought
against the Rev. Clarence True vii
son, former pastor of Centenry Meth
0dist Episcopal church here and fol
the past several years national execu
tive secretary of the Methodist Ten
perance society, says the Oregonian.
The charges have been preferred
against DR.. Wilson by Harry Mccain
of Salem, fellow Methodist and co
worker with him along temperance
lines.
Letters to Be Explained.
The charges are understood to be
even more sensational than would ap.
Iear on their face. Among other things
1t is said, DR.. Wilson will be asked to
explain certain letters written to Mrs
Mccain, attacking her husband, which
MIR. Mccain says, nearly broke up their
home
These letters are understood to have
been written in Kansas City year
ago, when DR.. Wilson and Mr.. Mccain
were working there in a prohibition
campaign. A statement alleged to have
been made by DR.. Wilson about Mr.
Mccain also enters into the case.
Complainants Are Reconciled.
The letters will be produced at the
hearing in support of the charges
against DIR. Wilson. Mr. Mccain and
his wife have been completely recon.
ciled.
While leaders in the church declined
to comment last night on the investi-
cation and the charges against DR..
Wilson, it is known that they have
caused profound sensation within the
church. There has been much talk about
them for several days.
Statements Are Refused.
Rev. Mr.. Youngson, district superin-
tendent Of the church, declined to dis
cuss the hearing or the charges last
night. He said that in the absence of
Bishop Hughes, who is in klamath
Falls, he did not want to make any
statements.
At Salem last night Mr. Mccain ad
nlllleu EeIuCldHtlJ lHdi tut choi Sc9 hhu
been brought by him and that some
sensational evidence will develop at the
hearing.
"It has been my intention to say
nothing of this matter until after the
hearings" Z" said Mr.. Mccain. "In fact,
all partiets concerned have strict or
ders from their superiors to divulge
nothing about the case.
"But 1 see that the whole matter has
become public from another source.
'fTrouble between DR.. Clarence True
Wilson and myself started few years
ago when we were associated together
in the work of the Temperance society
of the Methodist church, of which he
is now one of the leaders. At that time
we were on a decidedly friendly basis.
"Finally I caught Mr.. Wilson in a lie
or two. This situation became unbear-
able, and I resigned to enter the field
in which 1 am now working. He gave
me glowing letter of recommendation,
but few months after that it came to
me he was telling stories about me
which were untrue.
"The nature Of these stories will de-
velop at the hearing. Out of them
grew our troubles. He wrote letters
to nv wife about me which were alb
solutelv without foundation, and he
was on the verge of breaking up our
home.
'sMv wife and I have returned TO
each other and she) never made any
charges against me. You can say she
is with me heart and soul.
'fMr. Wilson is charged before the
tribunal with lying, with |
defamation of character and with vio-
lation Of law.
"The lying and defamation of char
aeter can be found in the letters which I
were written to my wife. He made /
conflicting statements in them which /
show their untruth.
HThe violation of law with which he
IS charged specifically is a violation (
Of the interstate commerce act. He is
charged with fraudulently securing free
transportation from one state to an 4
other for a friend.
f'If the charges are proved, and be
Iieve l have The evidence to do it. the I
tribunal of the church I
nav suspend him until the next gen.
,ral Oregon conference can act on his
Ease.
~ am anxious that all the facts in
Ills case be developed at the proper 1
lime. but I am under orders, and a
promise not TO divulge what have.
md. in addition. I have no intention
# disclosing my entire case at this +
-ime
fsI am satisfied that the letters which
have in my possession viii prove the
.harees which have been filed against
Clarence True Wilson. -