Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1920-05-18
BAPTIST WANT T0 AMIEsNID TIE FEDERAL.
 C0N!STITUTI0N kl.S0
Would Prevent Use of Funds for Sectarian Plans:
 Newspaper Planned

Washington, May 17.-The diamond convention of the Southern Baptist church, described as the greatest in the history of the denomination, came to an end today with the adoption of the report of the committee on tenn perance and social service and of a recommendation that the constitu- tion of the United States be so amend ed as to prohibit the use of public funds for the support of sectarian institutions.
 Motion pictures, lax laws and the liquor traffic were declared to be the fundamental causes for the preva- lence of divorce in the country in the report of the committee on temper ance and social service. An attack on the national board of censors was stricken from the report before it's adoption upon the suggestion of Dr. w. U. Landrum, of Russellville, Ky
 pr. Landrum argued that the at- tack was libelous in character and might lead to the recovery of heavy |damages from the convention. He agreed with the spirit which had prompted the statement objected to, however. ne Sald.
 Amendment to the constitution to prohibit the use of money raised by the government through taxation or otherwise for defraying the expenses of sectarian institutions was pro- posed by Dr. J. B. Gambrell, president of the convention. pr. Gambrell de- clared that every religious order should pay it's own expenses.
 Progress made in the establishment of theological seminary for negroes was reported to the convention and the project heartily endorsed bv two negro Baptist preachers, Dr. J. w. Bailey of Chicaeo and Dr. George O. Bullock of Washington.
 Appointment of committee to study the advisability of establishing a national Baptist newspaper was de- cided upon after a vigorous attack by Dr. Ben Cox of Memphis. Tenn, especially the Associated Press for what he termed their unfair attitudes toward the Baptist denomination. The newspapers and the Associated Press were staunchlv defended by Frank E. Rurkhalter of Nashville. Tenn. and Dr. Alexander Bealer of Georgia, who declared that the Bap- lists have not been discriminated against in the papers and that the Associated Press had always been fair and courteous.
 Dr. Cox took particular exception from the steps of the capitol hv Dr.. George w. Truett of Dallas, Texas, complainine that portions had been omitted which were derogatory to other den ominations
 Later Dr. Cox introduced reso- lution thanking the civic oreaniza- tions. hotels and newspapers of Wash ington for their help and cooperation in taking care Of the 10000 messen- gers and their friends in the city and in making the convention success.
 One of the last acts of the conven- ton was to provide for committee of three to report to the 1921 meeting upon the number of vacant Baptist pulpits in the South, and to study ways and means for attracting men to the ministry to fill the existing vacancies in Baptist churches.
 Eulogies of former officers of the l convention who died during the past year were delivered during the closing exercises.
 Declaring the convention to be at an end. Dr. Gambrell. it's president |said "Wesh had a wonderful convention, God has been with us."