Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-06-28
OFFERS TODEBATE
DRY BODY'S RIGHTS
Lawyer, Resigning From Cal
vary Baptist Church, Hits
Citizens Service Group.

''Well, we're making it mighty
hard to buy liquor in the National
Capital. anyway" remarked Harry N
Douthitt, field secretary of the Citi
gems Service Association for Law and
Order. upon learning today of new
criticism of his organization, includ
ing a protest" resignation of one
member of Calvary Baptist Church
and organization of an opposing body
'The Liberty Boys of '27."
Elgin H. Blalock, an attorney, an.
nounced his withdrawal from the
church in a letter to Rev. DR.. w. S.
Abernethy, pastor and president of
the Citizens Service Association.
"Inasmuch as / cannot indorse a
movement which encourages treach.
cry to friends and neighbors and
teaches hypocrisy and the greatest of
all crimes, Switching, / respectfully
request that either my church letters
be forwarded to me or that my name
be scratched from your rolls" Bla-
lock wrote.
Said to BE Scarcely Known"
At the church office today it was
indicated that Br. Blalock's resigna-
ton would be accepted. 1t was point,
ed out at DIR. Abernethy's study that
Mr.. Blalock had been a member of the
congregation only since last February
and that he was scarcely known by
church officials.
The Liberty Boys" stepped into the
limelight with former Representative
John Philip Hill of Maryland as
charter member and c. c. Lowe, local
writer and magazine editor, as presi-
dent and organizer. Temporary Of
HOY N
Building.
Opposed to all manner and form
Of unofficial shopping. smelling, spying
or squealing under the guise of local
law enforcement" reads the slogan Of
the club on it's membership cards,
which entitle the bearer, upon Fay
ment of % cents, to enroll as "a lib
erty-loving citizen of the United
States"
In replying to the Blalock resigna-
ton, DIR. Abernethy wrote that the
purpose of the Citizens Service Asso-
citation had been misunderstood, and
that the organization did not propose
to engage in spying on neighbors, but
to make a concentrated effort to rid
the city of bootleggers.
LAS a Christian man." the pastor
stated, do you not think that the eff
fort to cooperate with officials in curb
ing lawlessness, particularly when they
ask for it, is our legitimate business?
/ am sure that you do not realize what
damage is being done to the young
people of Washington and others by
the Illicit liquor sellers. When broken
hearted wives and mothers are inn
ploring that something be done, do
YOU not think that the church would
be guilty if it did not bestir itself?
Challenged to Debate.
1--WE are not tattling or Switching.
but if any individual knows where
liquor is being dispensed, it is as much
his business to reveal the evidence
that he has as it would be If he saw
n murder or hold-up committed. have
the hearty support of my board OF
deacons and, so far as I know, the
whole church"
Mr.. Blalock replied with challenge
to DR.. Abernethy for a public debate
on the subject, and said:
"I'll grant you that a great damage
II being done both young and old peo-
ple by drinking poisons called liquor.
Five wears ago we quit educating the
Younger generations on the evils or
strong drink, quit teaching temperance
and began a hysterical campaign
against bootleggers.
make every member of your con.
gregation pledge himself or herseI
not to buy, serve or drink liquor, ana
the bootleggers will starve to death.
They exist because society now &C.
mands liquor with kick.