Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-12-18
PEPPER HITS AT BAN
ON SECTARAN AID
Prevents Clash in Constitutional
Commission Over Gifts
to Charities
PLANS FOR STATE AID

Harrisburg, Dee. 1S.-Through tho
paci6catory remedy applied by George
Wharton Pepper. of Philadelphia.
threatened resurrection of that legis-
latiye bugbear. ''denomnational insti-
tutions," was successfully laid at to.
day session of the constitutional re-
vision commission in the State Capitol
here.
AS reported by the committee. the
section permitting appropriations for
charitable purposes was to be extended
80 as to exclude institutions "'in which
there is UNCONVENTIONAL or sectarian
instruction given" or which are mot
open for the admission OF any persons
without distinction as TO UNCONVENTIONAL
or sectarian beliefs.
In this form. it was pointed out, the
amendment defeated it's purpose. The
clause ''sectarian instruction was held
TO bar from state appropriation such
worthy institutions as hospitals con
Quoted under religious control. in which
are chapels for religious services where
services according TO UNCONVENTIONAL
ritual are held.
Pepper Voices Criticism
1T is" said Mr.. Pepper, ''as if we
say to the poor people supporting these
hospitals and orphanages, we appre-
ei1tc thc Teliglous lnsitFaIlou Inal III
pels you to give your money and serv
ices to aid unfortunates and sufferers of
whatever creed, yet we cannot reward
the service you are rendering to the
state, because you openly practice that
religion which is the well-spring of
your useful endeavor. -
Motion by former Judge Gordon and
City Solicitor Connolly to refer the
Pepper substitute motion to the COM
mittee was adopted unanimously.
Mr.. Peppers 'pacifying" amend
ment reads:
Appropriations for charitable, reli
giOus, educational or benevolent pur
pose may be made to a corporation or
association not under the control of the
commonwealth, but engaged in work or
service deemed by the General Assembly
to be for the public good provided that
such work or service conforms to stand r.
ards of excellence presented by the
general law. or by an executive agency
established by general law, and provided
further that the benefits of such worl;
or service are in no way dependent upon
religious belief or UNCONVENTIONAL cor
rection, and provided further that every
such appropriation shall be made by a
vote of two thirds of the members elect
ed to each house.
Does Not Affect Veterans
''No such appropriation shall be
made to any person or community, but
this prohibition shall not affect appro
priations for pensions or rewards for
military service, or for the retirement
4 of judges or of employees of the state
of state institution or of the public
school system"
A section of the constitution dealing
with registration and insurance of land
titles, hitherto unassigned, was turned
$50 30 committee No. I.
Mr.. Gordon, in by far the most bril-
liant oratorcal effort shown before the
commission, attacked the proposed re
moval of the single term restriction
from the governorship.
Chairman Alter, of the committed
fathering the recommendation, argued
that the limitation tended to show 6
"distrust" of high officials.
Replying, Mr.. Gordon moved the re-
tention of the constitutional section az
at present, and after remarks by former
Judge Fox, of Easton,> the motion pre-
vailed.
The commission adjourned until nool
on January 6. 1t has finished prelim-
mary action on the first four articles
q number of sections having been re
ferred back, while several recommend
ed to be changed will remain as the!
are.