Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-05-16
GREAT CONVENTION
HALL FOR DISTRICT
URGED BY BAPT|STS
Resolution Emphasizing Need
of Structure to Be Sent
to Congress.

In a resolution addressed to the
President. Congress. the District
Commissioners and the Washington
Chamber of Commerce. the Southern
Baptist convention, at yesterday
afternoons session, voiced it's appeal
for a convention hall large enough to
accommodate adequately the many
conventions that every year hold scs-
sions in the capital.
The possibility of Congressional ac.
tion to aid in the erection of an audi
torium in Washington capable of ac-
commodating the largest conventions
was forecast in an interview with
Senator Pat Harrison Of Mississippi
last night. He declared that it lis
due to the people of the United States
that we foster the erection OF q
proper place to house their conven-
tions in the National Capital"
Resolution to Congress.
A resolution calling for an investi-
cation and report on such a project
will be introduced in both houses OF
Congress.
The resolution, introduced by Rev.
Dr. Henry Allen Tupper. pastor of
the First Baptist Church. and second
ed by Representative Will D. Upshaw
of Georgia. was unanimously passed
by the delegates.
In the resolution attention was
called to the inadequate accommoda-
tions afforded the Southern Baptist
convention in the seating OF all the
delegates! There are more than 5000
delegates registered. only approx.
mately 5000 being able to gain en-
trance to Liberty Hut. where the ses-
sions are being held.
Overflow meetings have been con-
Quoted at the Metropolitan Baptist
Church, Calvary Baptist Church and
the Waugh Methodist Episcopal
Church on account of the great num-
ber Of delegates.
Delegates Disappointed
The erection Of a big convention
hall. it was pointed out. would elimi-
nate the necessity for overflow meet
ings. In the resolution it was stated
that:
1--WE, the messengers and visitors
of the Southern Baptist convention.
are cognizant Of the lack of = COM
modious auditorium or convention
hall in the city of Washington. Dur
ing this convention thousands Of our
people have been sorely disappointed
at their inability to get into the only
large auditorium available after
travelling across the continent to be
present"
The resolution expresses the hope
Of the delegates that the proper
persons or authorities will at an early
date take steps to provide a conven-
tion hall in our National Capital city
of size and design adequate to the
needs of the many conventions and
the many necessities of such a buiB
ing. architecturally in keeping wiz
the many beautiful public buildings D.
the capital Of this great country"
Address Today ON Capitol Steps.
Announcement was made last night
by the committee in charge of ar
rangements for the Baptist conven-
ton that, owing to the limited seat
ing capacity OF Liberty Hut. the adj
dress on 'The Baptist Church and Re-
Iigious Liberty by Rev. George w.
Truett of Texas would be delivered
from the steps Of the Capitol at 3
o'clock this afternoon.
In case of inclement weather the
meeting will be held in the hut.
DR.. Truett is one Of the most widely
known Baptist preachers in the coun-
4 .I, ~
cent drive for $75,000,000, which has
gone over the top and is now close
to the s1O0,00O.OOO mark.
There will be popular singing led
by Robert II. Coleman. All are invited.
Stir Over Vice Presidents Statement.
Considerable opposition was voiced
to resolution passed by the conven-
ton yesterday afternoon "deploring"
the statement said to have been made
by Vice President Marshall before the
Virginia Bar Association, that prohibi-
tion would not have passed the Sem
ate had it been considered behind
closed doors.
The opposition forces. led by DR..
Tupper. declared the resolution was
bad form" in that Vice President
Marshall was a guest of the conven-
tion of last Wednesday. when he made
the opening address.
Resolution introduced.
The resolution. which was introduc.
ed by DR.. II. W. Battle Of Charlottes-
vile, Va. stated that if the Vice
President is reported correctly in say
ing IF prohibition had been consider.
ed in the Senate behind closed doors
there would not have been twenty
votes cast for it.
1--WE keenly deplore the Vice Presi-
dents poor opinion, il correctly quoted,
Of the august body over which he
presides.
1--WE would regard that fact the
darkest sign Of national decadence
and coming disaster If the situation
described by the Vice President exist
ed the resolution stated. adding the
Southern Baptist convention cannot
concur in the imputation placed by
Vice President Marshall upon tho
senators Of the United States in their
recent enactment of prohibition legis-
ation."
Dry Pleas Are Made.
Wayne B. Wheeler. general secre.
tary of the Anti-Saloon League. de-
livered an address, in which he urged
the delegates not to support beer
and.wine candidates" for political of