Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-15
CANNON, CLEARED
FACES STOCK CASE
Bishop Exonerated on Charge
of Undue Political Activity
in 1923.
BY the Associated Press.

by tne Associated PreSS.
DALLAS, Tex, May 15.-Exonerated
of charges of undue political activity in
the 1928 campaign, Bishop Js mes Can
non, jr., of Washington, D. c., today
still faced complaints signed by more
than score of delegates to the General
Conference, Methodist Episcopal Church
South, that he specialized on the stock
market.
Nearly six hours of elaboration by
the episcopacy committee yesterday
failed to clear Bishop Cannon of the
speculation allegations. For three hours
in the afternoon and As minutes at
night Cannon was on the witness stand.
Much of the time he was known to
have spent reading papers, presumably
in reply to the photostatic documents
presented by Judge G. T. Fitzhugh of
Memphis, purporting to be records Of
his stock market transactions.
Five Are Under Study.
After Bishop Cannon left the COM
mittee room the committee spent nearly
two more hours discussing his case. The
sole known accomplishment Of that ses-
sion was two-paragraph statement
which placed the committee definitely
on record as supporting the political
activities of five bishops" The COM
mittee will not meet again until Friday.
OF these five, only four-Cannon, Ed
win Mouzon, John M. Moore and H. M.
named by Rev. Rembert G.. Smith of
Washington, Ga, instigator of the
charge Since the proceedings of the
committee are kept in much privacy, 1t
was not possible to ascertain the name
Of the fifth.
Cannon Maintains Silence.
Bishop Cannon, although jocular,
maintained his attitude of non-com-
municativeness toward the press. He
declared he would make statement at
the proper time" and that the proper
time would be when he was ofhclally
called upon for statement.
Some delegates attached significance
to the fact that the committee spent so
much time hearing Bishop Cannon as
compared to the rapid-flre order In
which they passed upon the excellence
of the eight bishops preceding him in
seniority. Four bishops each were Civ
en- a character at two previous meetings,
including three of those known to have
been charged with indulging in politics.
The further fact that Josephus Dam
iels former member of the Wilson cab
net and an influential figure in the con-
ference, had lent his support to Judge
Fitzhugh was considered significant
Shortly after the afternoon session,
Cannon told friend at the hotel that
he was tired, but ready to go back
and face that gang tonight"
Although walking with crutch, due
to an injury In an automobile accident,
->1,. LID nt.4rN nv
descending the three flights of stairs
leading to the committee room.
Trial Precedent Lacking.
In the event the committee exoner-
ates Cannon, the decision is final In
so far as those charges are concerned.
If the committee should order a trial,
he will be tried before jury of clerics,
probably in executive session. This point
however, is not clear, since there Is no
precedent, so far as could be deter
mined, for trial of a bishop in the
church.
The conference yesterday disposed of
the most important items on the ma
tionalization program-providing auton-
omous churches for Brazil, Mexico and
Korea. and bishop for China. There
| remain recommendations concerning
the church in Cuba, Africa and Europe,
and suggestions for changes in the rules
OF discipline to bring that body OF laws
into conformity with the new churches.
Another subject expected to come be-
fore the conference was the question OF
womens rights to serve as ministers,
with majority report recommending
the church accord women this right.
AS a means toward curtailing the ses-
sion, which, 1t has been estimated, Will
cost at least 10000, all speeches here
after will be limited to 10 minutes.