Evening star., 1932-05-08
|METHOD|STS VOTE
| FOR RACE EQUALITY
Danger to Reunion Plans With
Southern Church Dis
regarded.
BY the Associated Press.

ATLANTIC CITY, N. j., May T.
Despite warnings that 1t was sacrificing
forever" the long-sought reunion with
the Methodist Church South, the Gen
eral Conference of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church enthusiastically declared
for strict racial equality today.
The resolution, adopted with DEM
onstration that overrode a sprinkling
Of opposition, directed that the quad
rennial conference was never to meet in
a city where the color line was drawn
against delegates in hotels, restaurants
and public places.
DR.. Ernest F. Title Of Evanston, Ill,
noted Methodist liberal. brought the
resolution to the floor of the conference
with a strong appeal that Methodism
take its place with the Federal Council
Of Churches and the Congregation Chris
tian Church in opposing racial dis
elimination in conference cities.
Sounds Strong Appeal.
at believe there are cities which
would be glad to entertain us under
these conditions" he said. IF there
are not. it would be much better for
us not to meet at all, and If We do not
meet for this reason, we will be doing
the cause of racial equality more good
than we could by meeting"
At the same session Of the confer
ence the bodys first official message to
MethodiSm was given out. 1t called
upon the denomination TO raise $1,000
600 to save the world service program
of the church from threatened f1nan-
cial jeopardy.
DeetS Pickett, research secretary Of
the Methodist Board of Temperance,
Prohibition and Public Morals, branded
as absolutely false and cowardly" the
charge of Representative Tinkham that
he (Pickett) committed perjury before
the Senate Lobby Committee.
The conference heard what was
termed almost a demand" of the laity
of the church for reduction in the
overhead expenses" of Methodism, to
existing bishoprics.
When the color line resolution was
passed, the immediate reaction OF many
was that it had destroyed all possibility
of healing the breach existing between
Northern and Southern Methodism
since they divided on the slavery ques-
tion SO years ago.
Foresee CoIOred Split.
Later, however, delegates were ex-
pressing the opinion the step might
lead eventually to the formation of
central conference Of the colored Meth
odistS in America, distinct from the
general conference.
Thus far some colored members in
the general conference have opposed It,
A prominent colored delegate said:
My race has been done an injustice
This will give the South the idea we
are seeking social equality. This is not
true"
Pickett was applauded in committee
for his answer to Tinkhams charge
; that a few hours after he had denied
to an Investigating Committee that any
of the files of the Temperance Board
had been removed, I'll suspicious pack
ages from the Office of the board were
removed to Baltimore"
Pickett said he seriously doubted"
that Tinkham had any photoStatic
copies of way bills for the packages,
adding that if any shipments were
made at the time Il state now and
positively that they contained no
records"
tion of Episcopal areas to reduce over
head was referred to a committee for
study.
The districts considered most likely
to be affected if the resolution is ap-
proved are: Helena, Mont; Covington.
KY. Atlanta. Ca; Paris, France, and
Chattanooga, Tenn.
DENIES DISCRIMINATION.