Evening star., 1939-05-10
Methodists Weigh
International and
Social Issues Today
London Meets Defect
In Fight on PIedging
Support for Directors
By the Associated Press.

turned to international and social
problems today after rejecting a
proposal by ALT M. Landon to recon-
slider a clause of the church creed
pledging support to all members who
"conscientiously object" to military
service.
Delegates faced a crowded final
day calendar. Tonight they will
complete formation Of single
church Of 5000, 900 members from
three branches which have been
separate more than a century.
Mr.. Landon, 1896 Republican
presidential candidate, last night
precipitated the sharpest debate of
the two weeks session when he
moved to refer back to committee
the conscientious objector clause,
along with a resolution proposing
the conference oppose shipment Of
munitions to Japan.
Committee Holds Fate.
The japanese munitions resolu-
tions, termed by Mr.. Landon an
"unfriendly act to sovereign pow
er," had been referred to committee
earlier. The committee must deter
mine whether it can be brought back
to the floor since the uniting confer
ence was empowered only to har-
monte the disciplines of the three
churches.
Also in a committee considering
power of the convention to act was
a proposal by DR.. Henry Hit Crane
Of Detroit to delete from the
church's articles of religion a re-
quirement that Methodists Of for
eign lands obey "the laws and COM
mands Of the governing and SUI
preme authority Of their nations.
Dr. Crane deferred directly to the
$4,000 Methodists of Germany and
declared mo church can be Chris
tian if 1t fails to obey Christ simply
because a civil ruler tells it not to-"
Sees Fighting Issue.
Mr.. Landon argued that opposi-
ton to shipment of munitions to
Japan and support Of conscientious
ohjectors to war would put the
church in the position of starting
a fight that we're not willing to
finish"
I'm common decency," he said, "if
we are going to ask this Govern
ment to take an unfriendly step
against sovereign power, we must
assume the responsibility of that
act"
Leading the opposition to the
Landon proposal were the youngest
conference delegates, averaging Is
years of age Mr.. Landon is 81.
Herman Will. jr., of Chicago con-
tended that support of the Landon
proposal would encourage war
mongers, militarists, munitions
manufacturers and even Fascists of
this country"
primitive Christians were con-
scientiouS objectors to war" said
Richard Baker of New York, until
the cross was attached to the ban
ners of Constantine and the blood
of sacrifice was forgotten for the
blood Of conquest"
Hits Argument rs "Cowardly."
Mr. Landon, a World War veteran.
leaped to the floor on q point of
personal privilege when one delegate
said all speakers who supported Mr.
Landon were gray headed or bald
headed" and "too old to fight" The
former Kansas Governor termed
that argument "cowardly" and an
unfair challenge of the patriotism
OF his supporters.
Only one section of the proposed
social creed was voted down. That.
successfully challenged by J. P.
Campbell, South Bend Ond) manu-.
facturer, would have pledged the
church "for social planning and con-
troll in the economic process for the
common good"
Other sections dealt with the right
of labor to organize, fair" working
days, safeguarding of the farmer"
abolition of child. labor, "the rights
of racial groups"And similar social
issues. All previously were included
in the creed of at least one of the
three uniting churches.