New Britain herald., 1926-02-05
CHURCH SOCIETY'S
 STAND A SURPRISE
Plea Tor Modifying Dry Law
 ArOlSGS 0utbuDStS

New York, l'ch tPD--Ihc newly announced policy of tine Church Temperance society Of the Episcopal church, taNoring modification of the Nolstrad act and logalization of light vines and bcor has brought Nio- lent storm of opposition and de- irns" throughout the United States.
 Prohibition leaders, .piScopalian examinations and individual minis t'rS have challenged the statement Of the Rev., Dr. James Empringham, national secretary of the society. who, in announcing tho new stand "i his organization, asserted that iu" NolSt,ad act had failed
 She society the ohallruGcrs main tain, has no authority to speak for the Episcopalian church. is relative '% unimporlant and is in error in i,S reversal of policy Even mem ]'rs ot the organization itself are ta'rn back by the announcement. \ meeting Of the board Of directors VIII b. called soon to consider the situation.
 Defenders of Dr, Empringham in several church digntaries, assert that his conclusion after years investigation are correct. Dr. EmprinGhHm stands by his guns and reiteratcS li# assertions that q poll of 2o,ooo u'mbcrs of the society pEcpondorancc in favor of modification ot the law.
 The issue Was debated last night by radio from Washington by Unit ed States senator Edge, republican, New Jersey and Senator Dll dem ocrat Washington. Edge character izod the Nols;cal act as a "coossai and q "stupen1ous expense" to taxpayers. Dill denied that pro- ihhitiun increased intcmpcrancc, cited figures 10 show death from all cuholsm is on th" Wanc and praised prohibition as aiding the prosperity Of the country.
 Wayne E, Wheeler, general counsel for tho Anti-Saloon league at Washington, yesterday denied the conclusions reached by the Church Temperance society, A statement issued in New York by inc World league against alcohol ism also challenged every point III nr. Emprngham's survey of pro- hibitiOn enforcement,
 The Wouc0's Christian Tcm- pcranc" uuon in" Christian En- deavor society, tine Anti-Saloon Ioagne and the World league against alcoholism ar" not con vinccd. srMomcnts said. that the sentiment of church or lay mcm- htrsj Of thr Episcopal church has been represented, or hat th" an- noUrcomont represents th" scrti- mcHt Of th" Church Temperance apcirty itself
 Dr. Empriughnm said last night ais telephone was kept busy by bishops Of inc church and others who disapprovod his announce mont. He minmizcd most of the protests saying they were largely from members who had not paid their ducs in the society for years.
 Dr. Empinaham has no right to speak for tn" Episcopal church in any way. recording to the Rev. II. Gilbert. executive s"c- rctarv of tho social service com oi the Protestant E,pisco- pal diocese of New York. Thc gen craj convention, he said, is the only body that has the right to sr,~E for th" cNvrch.
 Calon William Shcarc Chase of 1 ", rh' board 0! directors If Ihc Church Temperance society said he has asked for q meeting i or the boarl 10 consider 'hls "rc- y,rsu Of policy of the society,"" lIe | said Dr, Emprjngham'a aunouncc- | ncnt was 'mrNpecrcd and that he lid not agree with the latror's l findings,
 Two vice presidents of inc so- 'jcty. Bishop $. N. Grswoll of :, 'hicago, and Hishop Reginald Wcl- | "r, of Tond Du Lac. Wis" arc in | disagreement with Dr. Emprjng- 1 1am's statements. Bishop Griswold | said hr "Would be diatr"sSad be- :ond measure if thought thc 1>lh 1 WIS in danger or rc- ocal' and Bishop Weller expressed | he belief that th" prohibition law , s "doing better now"
 A. n. Plamondon, head Of the National association opposed to |