New-York tribune., 1919-01-28
Some Ministers
Cheer Attack
Speech Made by Anderson
at Meeting of Minis
ters; Catholic Clergy
Refuse to Answer Him


said yesterday:
"1f Cardinal Gibbons desires to op-
pose prohibition because many Of the
largest and wealthiest distilers of
Maryland are members Of and liberal
contributors to his Church, and be
cause most of the saloonkeepers who
belong to any church are Catholics
in good standing, or if he wishes to
oppose prohibition for any other rea
son, he has perfect right to do so as
an American citizen.
"But he has no right to do it ir
words which have no basis in fact,
and which are calculated to arouse
religious hatred and class prejudice.
"When a high dignitary of CON
scrvative Church resorts to lncendiary
utterances which impliedly invite law
lessness and suggest that it can be
blamed on prohibition, just so far he
becomes an obstacle to law and order
and an enemy of the American Re-
public"
In Talk to Ministers
This statement was made ct meet
ing attended by five hundred Protestant
ministers, held in the auditorium of
the Metropolitan Life Insurance Com
pany Building. The words occurred in
his organizations official rerly to
Cardinal Gibbons's recent statements
against prohibition.
Mr.. Anderson's statements we're ap-
rlauded by some of the ministers pres
ent Others showed plainly their feel
ing that he had gone too far. Bishop
Luther B. Wilson, resident Bishop of
the Methodist Episcopal Church in New
York City, when questioned after the
meeting, refused to discuss the state
ments Of Mr.. Anderson in any way.
Bishop Wilson is president of the Anti
Saloon League of America.
On the auditorium platform while
Mr.. Anderson was speaking, besides
Bishop Wilson, were Wayne 3. Wheel
or. of Washington. D. c., counsel for
the organization, and Representative J.
Y. Sanders. of Louisiana, formerly Gov
ernor OF that state. All Of them deliv-
cred addresses.
The Rev. DR.. John R. Straton, pastor
Of the Calvary Baptist Church, intro
duced the Rev. DR.. Wilton Merle Smith,
who presided. DR.. Merle Smith is pas
tor Of the Central Presbyterian Church.
When Mr.. Anderson had finished, DR..
straton, who had left the platform
for seat in the front row of the
audience, stood up and called:
Three cheers for Anderson!" He
led the clergymen who shouted their
approval.
What Anderson Said
Mr.. Anderson's formal statement fol-
lows in fall:
"a distinguished citizen Of Balt-
more has invaded New York recently
through the newspapers. and thrown
the weight of his influence against
ratification in the Empire State. Tn
fortunately the statement made by
Cardinal Gibbons and widely published
IN New York. TO the effect that prohib-
ton would interfere with the securing
o. fernented wine by the priests Of his
,nurch for sacramental purposes, IS
absolutely untrue.
The prohibition amendment touches
hotnng except the beverage use of
alconollc liquor and there has not been
anywhere any attempt on tie part Of
ahe Aati-Saioon League to interfere
WIN the securing Of wine for sacra-
mental use Under the circumstances
sfaniing, az we must, that the Cardi-
s'ais statement was made in good faith
re shows such lack Of knowledge of
me facts az utterly 70 disqualify him
as an expert witness upon this whole
question
Said 1t in Baltimore
However. so long as they can secure
,he Tor sacramental purposes, so as
.'' IN any respect to interfere with
sN'lr religious rites and observances
~ have right to expect that the
.s'4y of the Catholic Church shall
tpomit 70 deprivation in the matter Of
average use Of vine. If 1t be a depriya-
N'n, for The sake Of the common good.
g, 80 eneeffully AK The man in the street
"'o MAKES no pretence 70 moral ideals
r. 1nd 'f the Catholic counties Of
unaTies and st. Mary's in the State Of
- ana have the right 20 vote 70
SSpo',sn the Aale Of liquor. which the
s-'.@' NOT pniy recognized but ad-
tDeatso. then the American nation has
I e,sI riRnt 70 do the same thing in the
-,,.sy manner prescribed By law
ml,nout nI!.pout being subject to illegitimate
>'.a,,c'sn ecclesastical or otherwise
nj, said this yesterday in the Cardi.
,a ~ c'sy At meeting which lacked
p.,t.ne r. tne roof the largest auditorium in
t,a..lmaofe, and it was received with
'ohin1ituous m; applause.
ne Cardinal ha4 bccn doFo.+ad 80,
.o's question after he has had every
Continued on po0c sir