The New York herald. [volume] (New York, N.Y.) 1920-1924, 1921-01-21
PREDICT DIR. STIRES
WILL GET BISHOPRIC
Many Observers Believe He Has
Advantage Over DR.. Man.
ming and DR.. Slattery.
ELECTION ON WEDNESDAY
Three Leading Candidates Said
Not to Be Striving for
Episcopal Office.


rector of st. Thomas's Church, Fifth
avenue and F1fty-third street, and
chairman OF the standing committee
in charge OF the administrative work
of the diocese, probably will be elected
at the special diocesan convention next
Wednesday TO succeed the late Bishop
Charles Summer Burch, in the opinion
or many observers.
When Bishop Burch was elected fol-
lowing the death of Bishop Greer, Dr.
Stires received the next highest vote
Two others who were voted for at that
time are believed, however, torhave a
strong chance of election. They are
the Rev. DR. William T. Manning,
rector of Trinity Church. and the
Kew DR.. Charles Lewis Slattery, rector
or Grace Church. But many indications
are said to point to the election OF
DR.. Stires. His position as chairman
OF the standing committee is not given
as the reason for this, as 1t is con-
tended that his being in charge Of the
affairs of the New York diocese since
the death Of Bishop Burch will give
HIM no particular advantage.
The three who are mentioned as can
didates will not discuss the matter.
There are grounds for believing that
vited to accept the bishopric. DIR.
Stires, for one, has forbidden any one
about him to do or say anything which
might have the appearance of trying
to put forth his candidacy.
Makeup of Convention.
Informal conferences of the Episcopal
clergy to discuss the election already are
being held. The convention will be held
at the Cathedral of st. John the Divine.
1t will consist of 420 clerical delegates
and three delegates each from 1877 par
ishes. Each parish will have one vote,
and the delegates from thirty-six mis-
sions will have half vote for each mis-
sion.
DR.. Stires has been rector of st.
Thomass for twenty years The mere
fact that he has been closely allied with
all that st. Thomas's has done for such
long period is advanced as one reason
why he would not want TO leave. even
to become Bishop. The congregation al
ready has declared that It would not
consent for him to depart. A man close
to DIR. Stlres said yesterday, however,
that if he is elected he probably will
accept
Supporters OF DR.. Stires, especially
those who believe that an inspired lead
is the important consideration in the
election of a Bishop. declare that DR..
STRESS entire life in the ministry has
been essentially spiritual
But Or. Manning anG DR.. Slattery also
have their supporters, who will advance
powerful arguments in their behalf. In
one quarter il was declared yesterday
that Dr. Slattery would receive 100 votes
on the firsS ballot. DR.. Stires and Dr.
Slattery are opposed to removing the
word protestant" from the title of the
Church. This move is favorite idea OF
DR.. Manning's and probably will have its
influence in the election.
DIR. slattery's Work.
During the ten years which he has
been rector at Grace Church, Broadway
ard Tenth street, DR.. Slattery has spread
his work over a large area and has
aroused what ia regarded as unusual
activity on the part OF the parish. His
plans for his parish. II is said. are very
dear to him and he would not willingly
succeed to the Office of Bishop.
Grace Church has contributed about
S400, 900 annually for its own special
needs and in addition has raised about
$500. 900 of the $4,000 spent on the
Cathedral of st. John the Divine. Grace
GnuTCH dlSo leu Nitt pdiiSilcS VI eht To
ton in supporting the pension fund, rails
ing more than 100000 for this purpose.
The support of the Cathedral of ST. John
the Divine is not expected. however, to
have much bearing on the election.
Or. Slattery not only has been n sue
cessful administrator but he has been
a notable preacher and an extensive
writer on theological subjects as well.
DIR. Manning. as head of the historic
Trinity Church. has place which is re-
garded as about as important as the
Bishopric itself. and many persons fail
to see the advantage In inviting him to
make the change. His friends declare
that he would much prefer not TO
change.
For several years DR.. Manning has
been outspolSen in his advocacy OF "A
Federal constitutional amendment maxi
ing divorce next to impossible fIe has
sought at various times TO have rule
promulgated making II impossible for
Episcopal clergymen TO perform the
marriage ceremony for a person who
has been divorced.
Z DR.. Milo III. Gates, vicar Of the Chapel
OF the Intercession. has been mentioned
as a candidate to represent the Cath
Ollie" party. or high churchmen, but he
declared yesterday that he was In on
sense a candidate and could not be
elected II he were.