Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1918-03-02
FRIEND OF PENNELL
Is AGAIN SUSPENDED
Charles M. Burns, Veteran
Architect. Draws Fresh
Exile From Art Club

Life Is just one suspension after an
other for Charles NJ. Burns, noted
architect, octogcnarlan wit and friend
of Joseph Pennell the famous artist.
who suddenly withdrew from the Art
Club, OF Philadelphia. under charges of
anti-British criticism, with the result
that violent reaction was prccipitated
in the art world
Mr.. Burns today entered upon a
second and thirty-day term of suspen-
sion from the club after he had re-
fused to defend himself before the house
committee against charges that came
from n source unknown to him. The
charges We're that he, In the con,auy
of Mr. ponnell In the club cafe, made
remarks that We're pro-German,
The first suspension. fixed by the
house committee for ten days expired
yesterday, Tho suspension was upheld
by the board of managers or governors.
which extended II thirty more days.
\ letter from Samuel W Cooper, seCre-
tary of the body warned Mr.. Burns
against further offenses."
In the meantime the exile" seeks
what comfort he may at the University
club, Sketch Club and other artists rem
dezvous, where he is the placid center
Of friendly Indignation
Apparently I have been guilty Of lesb
| ma jeste," said Mr. Burns There is no
such thing. but 7 am guilty of It."
The veteran was quoted az outlining
| his position as follows; ut is very SIM
| pie. do not know the names of my
| aCcuscrs and therefore I do not feel
called upon to offer a defense. Friends
have offered to tell me who the men
are, but I want TO learn the names Of
fcially from the house committee or the
1 M who started this
thing had had the manhood 10 tax Inc
with what | said this thing would not
have happened
Mr.. Burns counsel prepared tho fol-
lowing statement explaining tho events
that began with the house committee
meeting OF February 10;
"Arr Burns was summoned before the
house committee OF the Art club and lie
was furnished with two anonymous let
,ers, In one Of these letters the writer
accused him Of being pro-Gernan. He
requested the committee TO divulge the
names of the writer's Of these letters and
this rourst was refused. He deemed 1t
beneath his dignity to answer such an
, insulting and untrue charge, ana, as
| no refused to attend the subsequent
meeting of the house committee, he was
Informed that hc had been suspended
' for ten DAYS. tie tncn wrote 10 inc
board OF governors OF lUc sNlN N'iub
pcating his request to be informed as
to who had written the letters. stating to
the board in writing that the accusa-
ton was a damabe lie. and requesting
| further that he be permitted to appear
before the board
He was Informed by letter from
the secretary of the board, under date
of February -. that he had been sus-
pended for a further period OF thirty
days., He was not given the names OF his
accused nor was he accorded the
privilege Of hearing before the board
or being faced by his accusers.
"'rhe only dignii1ed course which Mr..
Burns could have pursued was the one
he did pursue. namely, refusing to an
swer ANONYMOUS charges of such n ma
ture'.
The statement was "deleted' by the
architect 1t was learned lie crossed
out "A portion of It which referred to
his civil War record as bluejacket IN
the United Sta,es navy and the fact that
he is a member OF the loyal Legion.