The Washington times., 1922-01-23
Va. RENO
IS lASHED
BY PASTOR
Dr.. jackson Calls for PitiIess
Publicity to Clean Divorce Ring
Stain From Alexandria.

"Pftiless publicity. for ''this
miserable business" was demanded
last night by the Rev. DR.. E. B.
jackson, pastor Of the First Bap-
ftist Church of Alexandria and
president Of the Alexandria Min
istersA Association, when he ad-
minfstered d stinging rebuke to
the divorce ring" Of Little
Reno" .. a..
Bible Students Aid.
Pfedging its support individually
and collectively to The Washington
Times and every other agency seek
ing to clear the name Of Alexandria
Of its reputation as The Little Reno
Of the East" the j. ;. r. N. Curtin
Memorial Baraca Bible Class, rep
resenting more than 800 members.
yesterday passed resolutions asking a
full investigation.
Choosing as his subject The
Scourging Of the Money Changers
from the Temple" DIR. jackson de-
clared that the Lord stopped under
the shadow Of the cross long enough
to drive out of business men who
were adopting illegal methods to
amass gold.
Il was the glare Of publicity that
cleaned the temple Of DID," DIR. Jack
SON said, and it will be by publicity
the ministers Of Alexandria that the
atmosphere Of the historic little city
on the Potomac will be purified.
Taking issue with Robinson Mon
cure, Little Reno's" divorce Judge.
that "the best people OF Alexandria"
indorse the methods Of the divorce
ring, DIR. Jackson said:
"Tt In not true to say that the
best people of Alexandria give
countenance to this miserable busi-
ness. There Is q grave danger, how
ever, that our silence may be SO In.
"There Is . grave danger Of losing
our souls by our silence.
There is the danger still of the
menace Of giving the suspected a
clean bill Of health without waiting
for full evidence"
Followers Of the divorce Judge,
who sought to combat the charges
against the ring" declared that It
was q lawyers quarrel"
Ju0gc NOTION W1tn0rawS.
,Moncure's supporters, after naming
q committee to investigate the charge
of non-enforcement of the divorce laws
Of Virginia, close Howard w. Smith,
Moncure's appointee to the office of
commonwealth attorney and Moncure's
personal counsel, as chairman. This
act caused Judge J. X. M. Norton, one
OF the oldest and most respected mem.
hers Of the bar to quit the committee
In indignation.
LET us not be deluded by calling
this lawyers quarrel" pleaded DIR.
Jackson last night, because it is more
than that. 1t concerned the fair name
Of Alexandria.
Let us not be angry against pub.
licity, so much as against the effort to
hush Il up. In the efforts to sup
press it lies the danger.
Remember that each citizen OF
Alexandria has an individual responsi-
bility In this matter. Let us help
create a healthy atmosphere"
Sounding a note of warning to those
who have made threats against those
responsible for the expose of what he
branded this miserable business" DR..
Jackson said
LET us beware lest we allow the
crucifixion Of any one who is helping
turn on the light. Such people are
public benefactors.
Charges of gross misconduct have
been made. Let us favor a full and
open investigation" ...
Must Win Fight Now.
Deploring the apathy that has
marked the aciIon Of citizens of Alex.
andria in the past, DIR. jackson de.
clared that Alexandria ought to
have done her duty long ago.
"It In false civic PRIDE" he added,
shat refuses light even from on
the outside.
Remember that unless the fight