New Britain herald., 1930-04-09
Urges Senate Committee to h. Yestigate Federal Council of
 Churches
CITES WILSON'S ADMISSIONS
 BUILDING CHOICE STRATEGIC
Chairman Caraway Says Both Tcm- perance Group and Federation
 Will Be Given Opportunity to Re- and State Principal Reason for Action, Bay State Leader Asserts

Washington, April R)-Chair- man Caraway of the senate lobby committee announced today that the Methodist Board of Temperance. Prohibition and Public Morals and the Federal Council of Churches would be given an opportunity to appear before the committee in re- ply to charges by Representative Tinkham, republican, Massachusetts
 Tinkham was refused permission to place his statement in the record
 The Massachusetts representative, bearded and picturesque, spoke in a low, quiet tone as he said that his principal objection to the organiza- tions referred to in his statement was they had violated the principle of separation of church and state.
 Reads From Publication
 He read extracts from a publica- tion of the board, in support of his charges pointed out that the board had it's headquarters near the capi- tol and reiterated that the board was engaging in constant efforts to influence the action of congressman.
 At the outset of the hearing. Tinkham offered 8 statement urging that the committee investigate the activities of the board and council. This was not allowed to go into the record but there was no objection as the witness read from it while he was on the stand.
 He named as paid servant and agent of the board, it's secretary, Dr. Clarence True Wilson and said his duties included appearances before committees, soliciting departments of governments and communicating With members of congress. He also mentioned a speech by Wilson at Melrose, Mass, on April 12, 1929, in connection with accusations that the board attempted by public attacks to coerce and vilify judges.
 Church Activity Condemned
 Il object to a religious organiza- ton supporting or opposing ap- pointments," Tinkham asserted. T don't think church has any busi- ness in politics."
 Do you object to individuals talk ing this action ?" asked Caraway.
 Not as individuals" Tinkham re- piled, but as organizations"
 Chairman Caraway of the com mittee announced after Tinkham had concluded that the board and council would be given an opportu- nifty to reply to the charges by Tinkham.
 Text of Statement
 The statement given to newspa- permen said:
 T believe that this committee can render no greater public serv- Ice than to do it's part towards a public exposure of the practices of these organizations, in violation of the principle of the separation of church and state, so that their church constituencies, as we'll as the public at large, may be informed and so condemn such practices"
 He said the Methodist board "for some years has attempted to influ- ence and direct the legislative and executive branches of the federal government and to influence, and interfere with judicial appointments and the administration of justice"
 The Federal Council of Churches, he added, working largely by pro- paganda, attempts to influence con- sress on both domestic and foreign policies"
 A letter he had written to Chair man Caraway of the lobby commit tee containing charges against the