Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1923-10-25
National Council
Protestant Church
Debate on Expenses

Portland, Me-, Oct. PA debate on
the administrative expenses of the
National Council of the Protestant
Episcopal Church enlivened today's
session of the New England Provin-
cial Synod at st. Luke's Parish
House.
While 1t was productive of moth
ing in the way of formal action by
the synod-those who We're inclined
to offer mild criticism OF the coun-
Gil, simply seeking information-it
served to clear the atmosphere some
what. as Bishop Hall OF Vermont,
president of the organiza ton, re-
marked when the discussion had
ended.
A budget of $1,000. recommended
by the executive committee for the
, coming years work. was adopted.
1t called for $4,000 for the salary of
the executive secretary, $4,000 for
his office and travelling expenses.
and $1,000 for the general expenses
of the synod.
Bishop James De Wolf Perry, the
provincial representative on the
council. while prese2ting his report.
dwelt at some length upon the failure
of churches in New England and
elsewhere to meet there apportion-
ments for the nation wide campaign
fund, although he stated there had
been a gratifying increasr in cOntri-
buttons within the last eight months.
Rev. J. G.. Currier, one of the cler-
ical delegates from Vermont inquir-
ed If there was any prospect of the
administrative expenses of the ma
tional council being reduced in the
near future Bishop Perry replied
that there was no doubt they could
he cut down as soon as the prov
inces and dioceses were ready to as
sumo responsibility for much of the
fall work which now devolves upon
the council.
Rev Mr.. Currier then called atten-
ton to the big figures" appearing IN
the council report, such as Slo.ooo
for the presiding bishop. ETC." and
remarked that these tended to make
the people believe they were being
bled." Bishop Perry retorted that. as
a matter Of fact of every dollar given
for the national councils work. only
two cents--the price of postage
stamp-went toward the adminlstar-
tive costs of the work.
Right Rev. Charles l.. SlatterY, ID.
D., bishop coadjutor of Massachusetts.
called attention to the fact that Treas
urer Franklin of the council was re-
ceiving only $4,000 a year for his serV-
ices. when he might have a salary OF
$50. 600 if he would go into business.
Bishop Edward NJ. Parker of New
Hampshire expressed the opinion That
there would not be so much dissatis-
faction among the parishes If the
council would publish statements OF
its financial activities in the diocesan
papers in such form that they would
he readily grasped by the average man.
one of the deputies asserted that the
official publications at headquarters in
New York City contained all the de-
sired information.
THAT is true" replied Bishop Par
ker. but they are not in such form
as to make them plain to the average
citizen of Bellows Falls, Vermont. or
Lancaste II. H
Bishop Hall at this point declared
that among the humble people of the
church there is a large amount of un-
easiness and unrest about expenses at
quarters. Moreover. he continued.
there is such a food of circulars and
pamphlets from headquarters that they
defeated themselves.
Cries of Hear. Hear" came from
several points in the hall.
officers of the synod were re-elect-
cd at the annual meeting this after
noon with the exception of Bishop
Hall. the president, who has two
more years of his term to serve.
Newly elected directors are: Bishop
Hall, Bishop Edward NJ. Parker of
New Hampshire. who is the secretary
ex-officio, the Rev. Henry W. Hob
son of worcester; the Rev. William
G. Thayer of Southboro. Mass. Lew
is d. Learned of Providence and
Charles A. Pease of Hartford.