Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-07-29
CHURCHMEN DENY
CAMPAIGN CHARGES
Bishop Cannon and Dr.. CraW-
ford Resent Accusation Re-
lating to ti-Smith Combine.

Bishop James Cannon, jr.. chairman.
and DR.. E. l.. Crawford. secretary. Boa ID
OF Temperance and Social Service Of
M E. Church South, issued today the
following statement:
The Lynchburg News of July "a pub
lished, top of front page, a communica-
ton from DR.. Rembert G. Smith of
washington, Ga. which accuses the
Board OF Temperance and Social Serv-
ice OF two trespaSses on the right of the
church. DR.. Smith states: The first
one OF these treSpaSses consisted in the
lending of the money Of the board for
use in the recent political campaign.
The money thus loaned was used to
bring about the election of Hoover to
the presidency the fact that
money was thus lent has been admitted
to the writer by Bishop James Cannon,
Jr. chairman of the board"
Ihls communication has been repub-
ilsned IN several newspapers notably the
washington Herald, the WASHINGTON
lines and Baltimore Sun, in which
papers and amazing and absolutely false
statement is also made that the rec
ords show that Bishop Cannon made
two loans Of $1,000 each to the anti
1(CiIIOCIdIS Oh virginia. IDefP
papers have been informed that the
records" must be produced or full re-
traction made. Many papers have print
ed press agency bulletins and editorial
comments.
Charge Declared without Basis.
This charge by DR.. Smith. the max
ing OF which at this particular time in
Senator Glass Lynchblrg neWsps per. l.
IN HSelf quite significant, has no basis
Whatever in fact further than the fol-
lowing paragraph contained in the let
Ter 10 Bishop Cannon. chairman Of he
bosro. dated October 10. 1929. in reply
10 letter received from DR.. Smith in
me height OF the last political campa lgn
IN which letter DR.. Smith demands IN
kno" whether any of the funds Of the
board had been used to aid in defrav-
ing the expenses of the anti-Smith
campaign.
Bishop Cannon wrote:
NOW as TO the question of anv usc
OF the boards funds for the anti-Smith
program or campaign: In accordance
with the custom of the board for many
wears l. as chairman. attended both Inc
naDonal conventions and stated the no.
Sltlon OF our church on the prohibition
question and insisted that both parties
should insert law enforcement plsnks IN
tneir platform; and this was secured
NOT as president of our board, but as an
INDIVIDUAL citizen. albeit a Methodist
preacher. I joined with DR.. Barton in
the call for the Ashville conference. Had
not oeen slgner Of the call I should
nave thought it my duty to attend a
meeting of that description in order
that might be able to estimate prop
eriy what is the duty OF our boa I'd in
view OF the action Of that conference.
Inc call for that conference was pre-
pared by myself Immediately after the
adjournment of our board at Lake luna
Iuska and was sent out from there. and
the cost OF the tipping. addressing. mail
ing. etc. were paid by DR.. Crawford. as
olo not happen 10 have the money
with me. and he had funds of the board
Wnlcn ne had brought 10 pay the ex-
+ ses incident upon the meeting Of
the board. At the Ashville conference
the delegates there made subscriptions
Shhclent 10 pay all the expenses incl
oeht upon that conference and the
money which DR.. Crawford had ad-
need me from the funds of the board
were returned TO him. No funds OF the
ooaro nave been used or will be used 10
promote the anti-Smith movement.
None OF my travelling expenses have
been paid by our board but have been
purpose by anti-Smith Democrats. DR.,
crawford as secretary of the board
keeps himself thoroughly posted as IN
coholtlonS pertaining TO the prohibition
situation in the Southern States and as
secretary OF the board he should tax.
Such trips as in mis- Judgment seem
necessary 10 give him that informs-
ton
Cannon Denial Emphatje
rms extract from this letter is the
only basis which DR.. Smith has for
making his charge that Bishop Cannon
mas admitted that funds OF the board
mao been loaned, in order tn bring :
ABOUT the election of Hoover 10 the
presidency. Bishop Cannon admitted
nothing of the kind. lie stated that he
as an individual. had borrowed money
from DR.. Crawford, the treasurer of The
BOARD, IN order to pay some incidental
expenses OF postage, mailing. etc, of
statement setting forth the aims of the
AshViiie conference and inviting certain
persons 10 attend that conference 10
determine what course to pursue n
prevent the betrayal of prohibition bv
Inc leaders OF the Democratic party.
rms money was borrowed before the
AshVliie conference was held and be-
lore the anti-Smith oreanization was
formed. The money could have oeen
from the superintendent of
Lne southern Assembly or the proprietor
Oh the Terrace Hotel at Lake Junaluska.
put u was more convenient to borrow II
rom DR.. Crawford. The money was
paid back and the incident was so
trivial and unimportsnt that it. seems
amazing that even DR.. Smith and SEN
ator Glass Lynchburg News would ever
nave considered IL as furnishing an op-
portunlty for newspaper publicity.
concerning the second charge made
oy Or. Smith as 70 the improperly or
legality OF the boards action on July
3 the general public can determine
whether when the chairman of a board
is attacked it is proper for the board
10 declare its confidence in the leader
ship of said chairman