Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-05-27
HOOVER'S VICTORY
! LAID TO CHURCHES
peets Pickett Asserts COP.
{ Inefficiency in 1923 Was
Startling.
CONTINUED From First Page.l


- ton and not political one.
He was directed to return tomorrow
for further questioning.
Pickett Defends Board.
On taking the stand Pickett read {
prepared statement in which it was as
serted that none of the funds of TIT
Methodist Board Of Temperance, Pro-
hibition and Public Morals have beer
expended for lobbying. He defended thu
organization against the charges o.
Representative Tinkham that it hac
violated the principle of separation o.
church and state.
Sbased upon q total misapprehension o.
the character of the board, its method:
of work. the sources of its income anC
the nature of its expenditures"
He explained that the funds received
BY the board were fixed by ratio based
upon "the total benevolent receipts OF
the church for correctional purposes,
and that its support came from the
world service commission, organized ny
the church TO- direct the work OF six
boards.
THE current ratio of the board" he
added, "iS 1868 per cent of the total,
so that our receipts may fairly be said
to represent the almost infintteslmal
contributions of literally millions OF in
terested Methodists
"The Board of Temperance. Prohibi-
ton and Public Morals cannot receive
and use in its entirety any contribu-
ton from any church or individual, ex-
cent when such contribution has been
specifically designated as to use, and
such designation must be to an APP
proved project
"No contribution has ever been made
for political or lobbying purposes, nor
has any fund been used for such pur-
pose.
"No such project has ever been APP
proved by the World Service Commits
sion, nor would any such use of moneys
be tolerated by the board OF managers
Of the board Of temperance, by the
World Service Commission, by the Gen.
eral Conference or by the opinion of
the church"
Characterizing as "unjustifed" Tink-
hams charge that the board have vio-
lated the principle of separation Of
church and state, Pickett asserted:
at petitioned for the prohibition
laws as it had right to do under the
Constitution, and it supports enforce
ment Its representatives appear before
the committees Of the House and Senate
by invitation or at the boards request,
when the interests Of prohibition or
similar issue are involved.
Co-operates With Other Churches.
"As it happens. such appearance Is
very infrequent and when 1t occurs Is
IA Co-operation with the representatives
of other Churches and dry organi2a-
lions, composing the conference Of or
Raniza tons supporting the eighteenth
Amendment, which has q legislative
committee on which the board Is repre-
scented.
Legislative petition is done under
the direction Of this cooperative BODY.
incidentally, the organization includes
IN its membership committees Of many
churches"
Referring 10 q charge by Representa-
tive Tinkharn Of Massachusetts, that
The board had violated the Federal
corrupt practices act in 1928, In con-
nection with reporting campaign ex-
pendita1res, Pickett said the charges had
been laid before the Department OF
Justice, the board had replied 70 them
and the department had taken no &C.
ton.
pickett added that the activities of
the board In the 1928 presidential CAM
paign, when Alfred z. Smith was q
candidate, did not differ in any essen
tial part from its activities in previous
years, except that in its publications
and through its speakers 1t TOOK cog
nizance Of an existing condition, dis.
cussing the announced and recorded
opinion of one candidate for President
IN regard to prohibition"
mo special funds were raised in that
year" he continued, "the receipts and
expenditures being less than for the
year Immediately preceding"
Cites Moral Problem.
Concluding his prepared statement,
Pickett recited the interest Of the board
IN moral problems"
Senator Caraway asked the boards
research secretary whether 1t concerned
itself with any problems before Con-
IF it pertains to moral problems" he
replied, saying his organization was In
terested in prohibition and gambling.
Gambling In stocks?" inquired Cara
IT don't know much about that. It
might be good thing If we did"
Pickett said the annual receipts OF
The board averaged approximately $685.
900. He added that headquarters was
established in Washington principally
to be near the Congressional Library.
He testified that the board had con-
ferred with members Of Congress on
prohibition. He also said 1t had sent
q letter to members of Congress at TINS
session urging careful consideration OF
the proposal to strip customs inspectors
Of power to ban books they considered
obscene.
The witness said the board opposed
the candidacy of Smith for President
on account of his prohibition views. =,
How did you do it?" Caraway asked
by criticism"
Pickett added the conscience" of the
church determined its action.
Senator Robinson, Republican, OF In
diana broke in TO ask If the commit
tee intended to investigate all religious
denominations.
I'VE win go into all you want to-
Caraway answered.
question this witness about the con-
science Of the church unless you &c
into the Others" Robinson returned.
I'm getting little tired Of this ques-
ton of fairness" said Caraway.
Pickett said DR.. Clarence True VIII
son, general secretary Of the board, was
unable to be present today because OF
an engagement to debate Clarence
Darrow in Detroit.
Questioned by Senator Walsh, Demo
crat, of Montana, the witness said his
salary was SO, 900 year, while DR.. VIII
son received $500.
Other Contributions Aired.
In addition to the $135,o00 annua
budget Of the board, Pickett said it re.
ceived some times as much as SIS, 00C
o year In direct contributions from
sources other than the church.
Senator Blaine, Republican, Wiscon'
sin, asked what remuneration DR.. Viii
son would receive from the Darrow de-
bate.
Pickett said he did not know anC
added that If any money was received
1t did not go to the board.
Tia arritrAss said INilsona had lnr