Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-04-30
COPELAND REBUKES
METHODIST BOARD
Senator WeIched," DeetS
Pickett Replies to AccuSa-
ton of Lobbying Activities.

A'ShA ~ - SSS
The vote of Senator Copeland, Dem
ocrat, of New York for the prohibition
reorganization bill two years ago, an
interview preceding his vote and the
Senator's declared antipathy for alleged
political activities of the Methodist
Church, of which he is member, to-
day became the subject of a further
exchange between Mr.. Copeland, DR..
Clarence True Wilson, general secre-
tary of the Board of Temperance, Pro-
hihition and Public Morals of the
church, and Deets Pickett, research
secretary of the board.
II an open letter to DR.. Wilson yes
terday Senator Copeland referred to a
recent newspaper article quoting the
board secretary as saying that an official
of the board called on Senator Cope
land, at the New Workers. request, to
discuss some prohibition matters
prior to vote on the bill. Senator
Copeland took exception to the pub
lished statement and frankly discussed
his objection to the housing of the
church'S activities in the Methodist
Building, adjoining the Capitol.
Never Sent for Pickett.
The interview preceding the Senate's
vote on the reorganization bill con-
cerned a call made on Senator Cope
land by Picket. II desire to tell you,
DR.. Copeland wrote, that never sent
for Mr.. Pickett, or for anybody else in
your building, to discuss prohibition OF
anything else.
THE man who visited my Office repre-
sented himself as coming from the
Board of Temperance, Prohibition and
Public Morals of the Methodist Church
He had come to me, he said, to ask me
as Methodist to vote for the pending
cloture BILL He was plainly and
openly lobbyist. In my opinion he
was seeking, in an improper manner
to gain the vote Of a Senator of the
United States.
AT the time" Senator Copeland wrote
"I expressed to him my bitter resent
ment of this attempted interference by
an officer of my church in matter OF
politics. In order to protect my church
said nothing publicly, but have just
| now learned that through its efforts
your board corralled my vote!"
Denies Lobby Here.
! In his reply to Mr.. Copeland, DR.
! Wilson denied that the Methodist
Church has lobby in Washington OF
| elsewhere You have been six or sever
years a Senator" he wrote, land prob.
| ably do not recall ever to have seen
with the single exception of the alleged
| interview between some one represent
| ing our board. any members of oul
board or Office force on any Govern
ment business in your life"
The interview in question, alluded Il
| by DIR. Wilson, was described in detail
in statement issued today by Score
F! tary Pickett, who said he published TIT
J interview in the boards publication
| having written it out at the Senator!
| suggestion within 80 minutes after see
ing him.
Abou, two hours before the vote wa
! taken on the bill, Pickett related, on
of the boards secretaries, checking owe
the list of Senators, called Mr.. Cope
land and said: II want to come owe
and see you" Copelands reply, accord
ing to Pickett. was What do you wan
to see me about?"
About this cloture resolution COMING
up at o'clock"
What do you want me to do abou
it," the Senator is reported to hav'
asked.
You ought to vote for it, Senator,
the Secretary replied.
Come on over" Pickett's interview
with Copeland quoted the Senator a
saying Pickett went over.
Publication by Request.
Senator Copeland's statements" salt
Pickett in his statement today, "wer
made precisely as reported, their pub
lication being not only by permission
but by specific request. At that time
Senator Copeland's friends we're con
WINGED that he was the logical an
probable compromise candidate for tn
Democratic presidential nomination il
case the expected deadlock materializeo
He evidently felt that the publication
of his statement would serve him in thi
eventuality. and although the poSSibl
political effect of his statement coul,
not be of the slightest interest to u;
there appeared no reason why we shout
decline to report his opinions to hi
constituents in view of the fact that tn
action concerned was to be commended
Two years later" declared Pickett
"the situation having material
changed, the Senator elects actiol
which is accurately described by
racing term which few will fail to I'm
lerstand-he WEIGHED. This also is 70
!. political effect, as those familiar wit
the present situation in Tammany wi
. readily appreciate
Didn't Go to Him As Methodist.
DR. Wilson also denied that Picket
: went to Senator Copeland las Meth
odist" THAT is the last thing in tn
| world that he (Pickett) would hav
said" DR. Wilson wrote, unless he sal
/ ii as q joke. think any of us who re
ferred TO DR.. Copeland as a Methods
would be joking
81 In his letter, Senator Copeland re
: iterated his objection to what he de
t | scribed as the improper activity" {
. the Methodist Church, the subject {
5 remarks he made recently on the fioo
= of the Senate.
II have been greatly concerned fl
S years over what regard as impropt
= activity" he wrote, "the work at Wash
l ington of the Board of Temperate
= Prohibition end Public Morals of til
{ Methodist Church. in its manifest e.
G forts to dictate and control Legislation
Il