Douglas Island news., 1921-01-07
PROTEST FILED
 OVER THE ORDER Some Meu8kalo People Do Not Want Church Used by Various
 Denominations

A recent telegram from Secretary John Barton Payne ordering that Che Christian church at Melauua bo thrown open to wouh.pou Of any other denominations under rules taat might bc formulated by Q board of throc trustees lhat are to bo elect cd i'm Che city has reused iudigua uon among some oi Che people of tho town. The following letter and % copy Of Che telegram was recently sent to Che KctcbIbou Chronicle for publication
 "Meuakaua. Dee. 2S. 1920. "Eltor Chronicle.
 "Wo wish to communicate with your paper Go show tho public how our beloved church finds itself iu m embarrassing position
 "ThIs church was established over thirty years ago n Mouahaua Alu- ka. and known as Che Christian Church Of Mcuakauo. under which uomc it was dedicated before God. it has thr.ycd This won known building was erected by our fathers and our great man of God. Rev. Wu- liam Duncan and was dedicated Go Che uac of Che Christian Church. one body of Che whole population Of tha community In October 1920, another organization was established bcrc. known w Che Presbyterian church by Che pro.byiory Of AIaska, causing division of Che Christian Church. with Che result ,hat mau number or our brothers and ss.cu deserted ths Christian church and Ia building and joined Che pro byter.m church
 Tho ucwly organized Presbyterian church. cooperating with minor of- lcaIs ol Che Department ot Che Inc tcror. hayc been working to the end Cha, they might uso ha Christian church. ignoring Che rights of Che old organization to u.o It alone 70. usual Recently a telegram addressed to Che mayor ol thH community dI- roc.cI him to hold am election of church uuHce. and also sc,uue forth Chat Che building Is under thc direction ol Che secretary of One n- ..r.or which trustees arc to say whom. how and by whom Che church building a to bo uscl
 Iolay Mayor Usher held mas meeting and Che membera of church. presbg.uaus and Che Salvation Army took uar. Envoy E. k Maber Of tbc Salvation Army said his organization would refuse to uae Che church and win newer claim .l except by invitation.
 "Tho prosbytos|ans however, speaking through Edward Mardcn her pastor claimed Che building .or their usc At ono ,mc In hH speech hc said they would mot claim r and again he said ,hcy have equal r.ebu to tac use ol 10 and chat hey uou.I comply with the order of Che department of Che interior
 "Tho Christian Church members am, puzzled at the order Of thc sec- rotary ol Che interior 10 shows tha. h. members of Father Duuoanf flock are mot rc. to spy how thoy shah we the church. or to use t themselves when they see 6t aa thol have done Cor more than a quarter oi a century It probably is tho drt time m Che history of Che United sutes chat a church organization which had buIt house ol worship uas compelled by sogoumou. order to share it witch some other church arauauou We have to bo loyal .o thIs order mu Che time comes to sottlc It definitely. to determine who fs Che ushuu. owner
 owe also send you herewith and ask you ,o publish tho telegram from Che department Of Che interior, hay- me received Che permission Of th. mayor Go do ao. Yours ru'y
 "Thc Christian Church Committee.
 JOSEPH HOWARD. Chairmau.
 "M A. HENSON. Secretary
 Telegram
 "WashIue,0n. Dee. 21. 1920. "Moyor Uaher
 Neuakat.a. via kctchiEau.
 "Church building in Mcuokata is under che direction of Secretary Of Interior for usc of entire community. You are directed to hold election of three trustees Co control church building. ucy Go make equitable or- ..............H. U.r Ha mao nr an rn.