Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1935-09-26
CLERGYMEN CALL
LETTER POLITICS
Several Accuse Roosevelt
Of Chicanery in Asking
"AdviCe."
BY the Associated Press.

News dispatches from widely scat
tered sections indicated today that
clergymen were offering varied, some
times critical, suggestions in response
to President Roosevelt's request for
their counsel and advice"
A San Francisco pastor said he
would suggest that the President re-
main true to the Constitution" while
a Chicago rabbi said the Presidents
letter to the clergy was practical,
as well as a good political move" A
Philadelphia minister said Mr. Roose-
welt was striking below the belt and
playing politics"
The President addressed his letter
to representative clergymen in all
parts of the country, saying that be
cause of the grave responsibilities of
my Office" he was turning to repre-
sentative clergymen for counsel and
advice, feeling confident that no group
can give more accurate or unbiased
views
Asks Data on Communities.
IT shall deem it a favor" he added,
IF you will write me about condi-
tons in your community. Tell me
where you feel our Government can
better serve our people"
Rev. DR.. E. A. E. Palmquist, secre-
tary of the Philadelphia Federation of
Churches, said today he is inclined
to think that President Roosevelt is
late in the day in asking for the ad-
vice of the clergy of the land
The President evidently had little
concern about the wishes Of the
clergy" DR.. Palmquist said Con
trary to their well-nigh unanimous
demand, he advocated the repeal Of
the eighteenth amendment.
IF the President really wants ad-
vice, the clergy would tell him by
and large to work for the restoration
of the eighteenth amendment, to bal
ance the budget, to re-establish civil
service in Government jobs. to forget
the alphabet and to put an embargo
on all war materials should any
nation go to war"
Rev. DR.. william E. Lampe. secre-
tary of the Reformed and Evangelical
Church, said: Il have written Presi-
dent Roosevelt that he can hardly
expect the support of the church for
his administration until he has shown
in his public and private life more
sympathy and interest in the church
and what it stands for"
Middle OF Politics Seen.
THE Presidents social legislation
for old age pensions and employment
insurance must have support, but I
have the impression that these are so
mixed up with politics that the church
must hesitate in lending its indorse-
ment and support" DR.. Lampe said.
In response, DR.. David NJ Steele,
rector emeritus of The Church of st.
Luke and the Epiphany of Philadel-
phia, in an "open letter" accused
the President Of playing politics on
the low plane with which you have
made us all familiar" and added:
The only help I can render you or
the American people or myself is to
vote for the next Republican candi-
date who, by the grace Of God, shall
be elected"
DR.. Louis L. Mann. rabbi Of Chi
cago Sinai Congrega ton and member
of the University of Chicago faculty.
said
The Presidents gesture in taking
the clergy into his confidence is a
very practical. as well as good polit-
ical move. My personal response will
entertain the hope that every socially
minded citizen will support the Presi-
dents social security legislation.
CuIls for Economy.
Dr. Mann added he left the time
had come to curtail many of the
other fabulous (GovernmenD expendi-
lures" and said the administration
should bespeak its loyalty to the
Constitution.
In San Francisco, Rev. Julian c.
McPheeters, pastor of the Glide
Memorial Methodist Church, said he
would suggest that the President cali q
day of prayer of all religious groups
ito seek the hand Of God in guiding
men,"
Another Philadelphia minister,
Rev DR.. E. A. E. Palmquist, secretary
Of the Philadelphia Federation of
Churches, said:
IF the President really wants ad-
vice, the clergy would tell him by
and large to work for the restoration
of the eighteenth amendment, to bal
ance the budget, to re-establish civil
service in Government jobs, to forget
the alphabet and to put an embargo
on all war materials should any
nation go to war"
One minister said he would not
reply because he did not believe the
letter would be read.