New-York tribune., 1918-12-25
DIR. Stires Quits
Hvlan-H
w Welcone Body
Rector of St. Thomas De-
clines Because of Mayors
Letter Praising Editor


tor of st. Thomas's Episcopal Church,
in letter to Grover A. Whalcn, sec
rotary to Mayor Hylan, yesterday re-
signed as a member Of The Mayors
Committee of Welcome to the home
coming troops. DR.. STRESS letter fol
lows:
"My Dear Mr.. Whalen: With great
regret | am compelled to ask you to
hand to his honor, the Mayor, my res
ignation as member of the committee
to welcome our homecoming troops.
My action is not based upon Mr..
Hearst's mebership on that committee,
though ] depored the Mayors judg-
ment in making such an appointment
at such a sensitive time.
"In letter addressed to Mr. Hearst
and appearing in to-day isuc of The
New York Times his honor has chosen
20 make such an issue of Mr. Hearst
and his policy as may not rebound to
the advantage of the editor and is
certain to evoke the just and immedi-
ate condemnation of good and intelli-
gent Americans.
The Mayors Plain Duty
"By implication, if not by direct
charge, those who differ with the
Mayor and MIR. Hearst are character
lied in terms which, had he mentioned
names, would have subjected him to
persecution, without the likelihood of
the "a seS hp irC drODped
"In fact, if such widespread guilt
exists in the certain knowledge of the
Mayor, then his oath of office makes
it his plain duty to take instant
ton, not merely in one or two in
stances, IN every case of serious viola
tion of the rights of the people. His
failure to do so cannot be atoncd for
by immodcrate verbal abuse.
81 have talked with our soldiers
along two hundred miles of battle
front from Ypres to Verdun They are
loyal, intelligent and just. Quick to
recognize the subtle forces of destruc-
tion and prompt in their hatred of the
dcmagogue. These men may be fully
trusted.
Because of my associations with
these men I should esteem it high
honor to be a member of the city's Of
fetal committee to welcome their happy
HOMECOMING, anu L IeSltC lHdb MS Hoh-
ors extraordinary action has defined a
moral issue of national significance,
which leaves me no alternative. for he
declares that Mr.. Hearst is doing more
than any other man in the United
States to aid public officials to support
and protect the people
Opinion On Point Differs
"His honor must be aware that there
is profound and widespread difference
of opinion upon this point, and that to
make such a statement will not help
Mr.. Hearst nor rebound to the credit of
the Mayor, nor minister to the peace
and good will which should unite our
people for the great work before us.
"I hesitate to call attention to GER
tain expressions in the Mayors letter
which are almost inf1ammatory by sug-
gestion. Our home coming men will
not easily tolerate such Influences
at is q great pleasure to accept in
its entity that closing paragraph of the
Mayors letter which utterly condmns
all the rest of it, The Mayor says:
This is a time when all patriotic and
honest citizens should cast aside all
political or religious differences and
personal animosity, and rally to the
welcome of our soldiers, sailors and
marines who are returning home after
their glorious victory on the field Of
battle
owe may we'll pray that this senti-
ment may soon become His Honor's
deepest conviction, and that he may
have the courageous logic of that CON
viction. Respectfully yours
"ERNEST M. STIRES.'
Others Quit Committee
Scores of protests against Hearsts
membership on the Mayors committee
we're laid before Mayor Hylan yester-
day in the form of resolutions,
refusals 20 serve on the commit
tee and designations. Those who re-
signed said they would not have ac-
cepted if they had known Hearst was to
be on the committee.
Six other men who made it known
yesterday that they would not serve
on the committee and their comment
follow:
Finley Shepard: "Because of the wav
the invitation was formulated and. pri-
marly, because Hearst is on the com
mlttee IN an active capacity, | could not
see my way clear to serve"
Benjamin Strong, Governor Federal
Reserve, I'd District: "Declined two
weeks ago"
David Leventritt: 81 have declined
the invitation"
Duncan Phillips: az refused to serve :"
Frederic Pratt: "Declined the invita-
ton"
]; G: Ward: Declined on account of
i'll health"
nurcan philI;De,s o++.~
Duncan Phllips's letter to Grover
Whalen, Mayor Hylan's secretary and
secretary to the committee of welcome.
follows:
81 must, with candor, inform you that
l refuse to serve on any committee
which includes the odious name of
William Randolph Hearst. | consider it
crowning act of shameless cowardice
| on the part of the Mayor that he
meekly appointed on a committee of
welcome to our home coming soldiers
SO notorious an enemy of the Allies
with whom our soldiers have been
fighting. 1t is all too evident that the
Mayor desires TO lend his friend an
appearance of loyalty by associating
him with citizens of unquestioned pa
triotism."
Mr.. Hilles Returns Card
Charles D. Hilles sent the following
letter to the Mayors secretarv:
Il return herewith the card to the
official boat Queens, provided for the
use on Thursday OF the Mavor,e ,o,,