Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-09
T|NKHAM ATTACKS
. METHODIST BOARD
Federal Council of Churches
Also Criticized Before
Senate Committee.
CONTINUED From First Page.)


piled, "but as organizations"
In support of his claim of violation
of the corrupt practices act, made
against the Methodist board, Tinkham
read from a report by DeetS Pickett,
research secretary of the board, which
said the organization had circulated
enormous quantities" of Alfred E..
Smiths record in the 1928 presidential
campaign. The board was charged
with opposing Smiths candidacy.
He also quoted DR.. Wilson as saying
in December, 1928:
I'VE have no apology to make to any
one because we used all the energy
at our command in bringing about the
election of Herbert Hoover as PreSi-
dent and Charles Curtis as vice presi-
dent.
Responding to a question by Senator
Walsh, Tinkham said he had reported
the matter to the Department Of
Justice.
The Massachusetts, Representative re-
iterated his opposition to prohibition
and said he had predicted it was
doomed to a tragic failure"
Wilson Opinion Read.
Continuing, he read a statement by
DR.. Wilson last June which said:
Personally, 1 have such contempt
for Mr.. Tinkham, for everything he
stands for and believes in, for his meth
DDS, for his reckless and misleading ut
teranceS that would prefer to treat his
attack with silent contempt"
apparently you and DR.. Wilson don't
agree on everything" Caraway COM
mented, as the audience burst into
laughter.
Not on everything" Tinkham re-
piled, smiling.
The witness was scheduled to testify
again tomorrow when he Is expected
to amplify charges made against the
council of churches.
The letter Tinkham had written to
Chairman Caraway of the lobby COM
mittee containing charges against the
Methodist board and read into the
record. said:
Church Bodies Criticized.
Permit me to bring to your attention
as chairman of the committee inVeSti-
eating organizations and persons inter-
fering with or attempting to influence
Government an ecclesiaStic organization
known as the Board of Temperance,
Prohibition and Public Morals of the
Methodist Episcopal Church"
This organization alleges it is the
representative and agent of the Meth
odist Episcopal Church." the letter con-
tinued. For some years it has attempt
eG to influence and direct the legislative
and executive branches of the Federal
Government and to influence and inter-
fere with judicial appointments and
the administration of justice.
Il. This organization has erected its
headquarters opposite the United States
Capitol, at a cost, it is said, of about
$500000. and in an official publication
of the board called The Supplement
to the Voice issued in January, 1928, to
raise funds for this building it was
stated: Fortunately we have the loca-
ton of all locations, just opposite the
Senate wing of the Capitol.
Gives Views ON Board.
"2. It's principal methods Of activity
ere personal solicitation and propa-
Uganda, and finally political action into
which your committee is not inquir1ng.
Tt employs paid professional servants
and agents, one of whom is Clarence
True Wilson, its secretary, to COM
municate with members of Congress,
to go before committees Of Congress,
and to solicit departments Of the Gov
eminent. It sends each week to men,
bers of the Senate and the House and
to many newspapers a propaganda
sheet which advocates or opposes legis-
1ation and attacks in abusive language
officials who are not in accord with its
kind can compare with this organiza-
ton in its constant and systematic
legislative activity.
Its political activity, a prominent
feature of its work, not within the pur
view of the authority of your commit
tee to investigate, is one properly for
the Department of Justice to inquire
into respecting expenditures in viola
ton of the Federal corrupt practices
act, and to this the attention of that
department has been directed.
IS. Its interference with the judiciary
includes recommendation for the ap-
pointment of Federal judges and OPP
position to the confirmation of Federal
judges and other Federal officials, in
Guiding United States attorneys and
local judges in the District of Column
bia, attempted coercion by public at
tacks and villification of judges in
public addresses such as that delivered
at Melrose, Mass. on April IL, 1929, by
Clarence True Wilson.
Church Council Named.
ct wish also to draw to your atten-
ton an organization known as the Fed
eral Council of Churches of Christ in
America. This organization, working
largely by propaganda, attempts to in
fluence Congress on both domestic and
foreign policies.
According to its annual reports,
about onefourth of its income Is re-
Neived from the churches and about
three-fourths from other sources
1.-The sums received from other
sources amounting in 1925 to $254,-
524.20, in 1927 to 232,018.28, and in
1928 to 1886, 1928. It has been said
that persons interested in international
banking, international business and
other international interests, their
agents and servants, their legal advisers
and members of their family, are large
" contributors to this organization. and
that these contributions are made in
part with the purpose of influencing
the political activities of this organiza-
ALTHOUGH attempting again and
again to influence my vote by propa-
ganda, this organization has declined
several times to furnish me with a
list of individuals who contributed $oO0
or more to their funds in 1926, 1927 ana
1928. 1 suggest this information pc
obtained by your committee and the
sources of the contributions carefully
analysized and identified.
Wants Committee Inquiry.
eff your committee by its investi-
cations can unmaSk the 1nde1enslDle
POLITICAL activities of these two estab-
tishments of the organized church, and
of ali other like establishments OF any
church, if there be any other, and thus
help in measure to reaffirm the most
Fundamental principle on which this re-
public was founded, the principle OF tne
separation of church and state In TACT
and in spirit for the perpetuation OF
which principle there IS the hignest
necessity if both the state ana reIls .tna
are to be preserved, your committee
will render a great public service"
"The location Of these headquarters
in the immediate vicinity of the Capt.