The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-08-08
AL TO DEBATE
POLITICAL PAST
WITH STRATON
Baptist Minister Accepts
Challenge Hurled by
Candidate.
By United Press

By United Press
NEW YORK, Aug. 8.-Alfred E.
Smith, Democratic candidate for
President, has challenged Dr. John
Roach Straton, Baptist minister, to
public debate on Smiths record, and
Straton has accepted.
There is a possibility the debate
may be held in Madison Square
Garden, broadcast to millions
through America and then resumed
on a speaking tour of the Southern
States.
If the meeting materializes, OBJ
servers here regarded it as likely to
become the most noted political de-
bate since the Lincoln-Douglas ex-
changes.
Suggests Tour
lStraton is pastor of Calvary Bap-
fist Church and one of the Nations
best known ministers. In sermon
Sunday he attacked Smiths legis-
lative record in a manner similar
to the charges brought recently by
William Allen White, Kansas editor,
and called Smith the "deadliest foe
in America of moral progress"
Smith challenged the statement.
In a letter sent Tuesday to the
churchman he asked an opportunity
to appear at Calvary Baptist
Church, and have the charges re-
peated in his presence SO he might
answer.
But DR.. Straton in answering
said he thought such debate
would attract too great an audience
for the church and that it should
be at Madison Square Garden. In
addition the pastor said his warning
had been to southern democracy,
: and that therefore he thought the
two should make a tour of southern
States, debating the question.
AL Takes Issue
The letter Governor Smith sent
the pastor read:
Dear DR.. Straton: The New
York Times of Monday, Aug. 6,
quotes you as saying from the pull
pit of your church that, as public
man, am the deadliest foe in
America today Of the force of moral
progress and true political wisdom.
st do not know why you should
make a statement of the kind, but
I do know that will never permit 1t
to go unchallenged. I have spent
twenty-five years in the service OF
the State in elective offices and the
record of that service is open to the
public. 1 do not feel that I should
charge you with making this state
ment for any political purpose as it
was made in a church devoted to
the teachings of Christ, one of
which was, Thou shalt not bear
false witness against thy neighbor.
Will Answer Questions
"I therefore ask you in spirit
of American fair play, to invite me
to your church at any time that
suits your convenience during the
week inclusive of and beginning
Sept 2, and I ask you to make the
same statement in my presence,
with such proof of its truth as you
may be able to advance.
"I further ask that you permit me
to make full reply. That you may
not be embarrassed 1 will permit
you, if you choose, to conduct the
meeting by question and answer. I
will be ready to answer any ques-
ton you may put to me which, in
your opinion, will in any degree
tend to justify your remarks.
"For eight years I have been the
Governor Of the State of which you
are resident, and I firmly am con-
WINGED that you owe it to me to give
me an opportunity to be heard be-
fore your own congregation on the
statement that you made about my
political career"