The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1922-04-23
City Manager Tells Minist-
ers He Fears Bloodshed
if Ex-Nun is Allowed to
Lecture Here During
Week.

Taking the position that there should
be no discrimination in the matter OF
use Of Convention Hall, and emphasiz
ing the fact that there shoulud be
equal rights to all and special priv
ileges to none" five prominent min
listers Of the city of Ardmore called on
City Manager Dyer, Saturday afternoon,
with regard to the decision in the mat
ter Of breaking the contract entered
with Sister Mary Ethel who styles her
self an "ex.nun" and who has con-
tracted for the use of the hall Monday
Tuesday and Wednesday nights.
Maintaining that he believed the de-
decision was right and that three Of the
five members of the board, had made
the decision, Mr.. Dyer stated that the
woman would not be permitted use of
the hall and that their final decision
would stand
Best Interest of City.
Point after point was brought up by
the ministers, citing instances wherein
religious beliefs of various denomina-
tons had been promulgated and the
demand was made that some specific
reason be given why this particular per-
son should not be permitted to talk on
the subjects she has listed. City Mana
ager Dyer contended that he was work
ing for the best interest of the city,
that he believed that to permit the use
would engender religious warfare in q
city which heretofore had been peaco
full and harmonious. He refused TO
yield one point in the matter.
| In addition to this he stated that he
was Of the opinion that 1t would cause
bloodshed and referred many times to
the tragedy which occurred in Texas
city when such lecture said to have
been given there. The ministers which
included DIR. Ashley Chapel, pastor OF
Brodway Methodist church, Or. Il. L.
Davidson, pastor of Broadway Baptist
church, DR.. Crayton $. Brooks. pastor
OF First Christian church. Rev. j. C.
Vandevler. pastor of Emmanuel Baptist
I anu rev. u. u INl5SFltt BiSApl VI 'dl N'i
Avenue Methodist church. in answer to
this pledged that the members OF their
congregation would in no way be n
party to such procedure and pledged
that no one of them would attempt 10
shed blood.
Un-American, Tis Said.
Each of the ministers declared that
they believed the step taken by the Con-
vention Hall Board was un-American
in that it made an unjust discrimination
in the matter of free speech, that II
any question had been raised with ref
srence to the moral charter of the
speaker before allowing the hall to be
used by her. Mr.. Dyer stated that he
has raised no question on that issue,
that he had not Investigated her ere.
dentials, but that the board based their
decision on the statement of the wo-
mans attorney that she was giving her
lecure from a purely mercenary motive,
and that he did not believe that 1t was
for the purpose OF saving one soul or
for the good of the city in any measure
ana tNlat ne ueclSioi Woulu SAdlu' uHiesr
a meeting OF the board was called and
their decision changed. He stood firmly
on the point that there would be nc
change however.
q Regrets Dyer's Stand.
Expressing sincere and deep disap
pointment the ministers stated that
they were regretful OF Mr.. Dyer's posi-
ton in the matter. We believe that
there should be fair and just treat
ment to all The woman who comes here
for these leactures is in no wise al
issue, IL was said. but the pastors mos'
earnestly contended for the fundamen
tai principles of fair and just treat
ment to both Catholics and Protestant;
alike and as for that matter all creeds
and colors."