Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1925-02-20
The Legion Post Denies ChapIains
Statement


Jr.. ss chaplain Of the Henderson Smith
Edmonds Post. American Legion. Rockville,
was accepted Sunday. following charges
by the chaplain Of improper conduct at
banquet held here on Thursday night Of
last week by the Montgomery County
Council. American Legion. at which the
Rockville Post was host
The chaplain rendered his resignation
on the day after the banquet. charging
alcoholic liquors were served in cocktails
and protesting against vaudeville sketch
given by dancers He is pastor Of the
Rockville NJ z. Church South and had
been the post chaplain for several years.
10 his letter Of resignation, the minister
said he was compelled to ask his release
from the position because he did not
represent. nor pretend to represent. in this
town the kind of thing that was put on at
the banquet" His request was acted upon
at a special meeting Of the post Sunday
and attended also by Reuben Brigham.
the president Of the Montgomery County
Council
In letter notifying the chaplain OF &C
ceptance Of his resignation. post officials
declared the cocktail concerning which
complaint was made contained less than
one-half Of per cent alcohol and was
favored with small quantity Of home
made wine. They also denied the i'm
modesty or improperly Of the dancing to
which objection was taken, and stated
they considered the criticism most unjust
in this respect because the chaplain had
not remained for this part Of the program.
Mr.. Harmon's letter Of resignation. ad-
dressed to Alexander F. Prescott, Jr., COM
mander Of the Rockville Post. was as
follows:
Il am herein rendering my resignation
as chaplain Of the Henderson-Smith-Ed-
monds Post Of the American Legion. |
am sorry that circumstances force me to
do this, but as I do not represent. nor pre-
tend TO represent, in this town the kind Of
thing that was put on at the banquet Of
the post at the high school building on the
night Of the twelfth. feel that | cannot
remain longer in a position where my
name can be connected with the same.
Il grant that you and the other officers
and the committee worked hard and de-
sired to make the evening a notable one.
but. as stated above. the whole affair was
not the kind Of thing for which stand in
Rockville. nor was ii in keeping with the
other legion banquets which have at
tended over the county.
Il do not mind 'roueh-house' stuff. and
can take my share in 1t with any other
man. but the public serving of alcoholic
liquor in cocktails took as an offense to
my oath and the oath Of every other
Leeionaire to support the Constitution Of
the United States: the bringing In Of
dancing girls offended my Christian man.
hoOj: and the fact that was ignorant Of
what was to take place that publicly
asked the blessing Of Almighty God upon
il all. is humiliatine to my ministerial
calling.
Il am sorry that was entirely unin-
formed beforehand Of all this, as neither
the printed program nor the informal dis
cussion in the post meeting the night
before gave me the least information Of
such. as otherwise could have withdrawn
with no embarrassment. Under the cir
cumstances. however. | ask you to trans
nit this letter to your adjutant for appro
pirate action at the next meeting OF thu
post"
The Leeion's letter to the chaplain was
as follows:
AT special meeting Of Henderson
Smith Edmonds Post, American Legion
called by the executive committee, al
which you attended. your letter Of Feb
ruary IS. 1925. submitting your resisna
ticn as chaplain. was considered and you
resignation was accepted.
In view OF the fact that you saw fit t
release your letter to the press without
consulting the post or executive committee
the post does not feel that your lette
should 60 unanswered.
in your letter you state that cocktails
were served publicly at our banquet, Civ
ing the impression that an alcoholic bever
aee was served, named as such on the
menu. As matter Of fact. this item wal
a fruit cocktail. made up from the follow
ing ingredients: Fifty grape fruits, Sc
oranges. S gallons Of other fruit juices, and
as a flavor. 2 quarts Of home made wine
which made the fruit cocktail contain les'
than one-half OF per cent Of alcohol.
THE dancing girls referred to are thu
same girls who have performed for mum
Der Of banQuets in the District Of Columbit
and Maryland. Neither their costumes no.
their actions were such as to offend anC
we can assure their performance would b.
duplicated at the best theatre in Wash
ington without censure If not without
applause.
''Since. owing to your personal opposition
10 any and all forms Of dancing, you lef
the banquet hall before any part Of THU
program was rendered. it seems to US thai
the impression given in this respect IL
your letter was most unjust.
From the above. which is a true state
ment of the facts. you can readily see thai
the impression given the public by YOU
letter is erroneous and undeserved on the
part Of this post and other posts in the
county"
HnIafeln Rnnanef