The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1945-10-05
Observations
Washington
Pastor Takes
Exception to VI Column
By HELEN EssERY

It's painful TO admit. but often
the letters | receive in answer TO
the articles | write are more inter-
esting than the articles themselves.
This statement is almost un-
naturally meek for me. Therefore.
while | am in an unaccustomed
mood, | am going TO submit to you
paragraphs from several recent
communications
The first quotation was inspired
by my complaints that certain VI
day sermons by Washington pas
tors did not preach universal peace
and goodwill. By calling for sharp
adherence TO particular faiths, |
felt they aroused religious hatred.
To this statement of mine, Rev.
Oscar F. Blackwater. pastor Of the
Lutheran Church OF the Reforma-
ton. replies in part:
1T so happens that at the present
time | am chairman OF the Commit
tee on Religious Life in the capital.
The committee inclyd es Catholics
and Jews as we'll as Sfotestants. l
feel that not only is there deep
spirit OF cooperation among Protes-
tants, but an increasing amount
among Catholics and Jews as well.
/ know this also because OF my per-
sonsl association.
Not only do we enjoy the spirit
of cooperation, but ! am acquainted
with no educational, social or po-
litical group more humble in spirit,
more given TO quiet scholarship and
more concerned with intelligent
Interpretation OF the difficult days
ahead.
81 do not know to whom you
referred. For 1t so happens that !
recently served as president OF the
Washington Federation OF Church
es and before that as president OF
the Citywide Interdenominational
Ministers Association. know per-
sonally almost every Protestant
pastor in the city. | know their
thinking and | know that your In
depreciation Is not accurate.
caould prove this even on court
stand.
81 am writing thus frankly TO
you because Of my exceeding high
regard for your work and your
thinking, and because do not wish
you to write contrary to demonstra-
BILE facts"
Good letter, this. It has dignity
and honesty. Thank you, DR.. Black
welder. l am glad to print your
ideas and beliefs.
My second group OF quotations
has entertaining sources. Or should
l say source? They are taken
from two letters. But this Is the
amusing part: One letter is signed
wv. A. HILL" the other Christie
pher Miles" One letter gives the
address Of the writer as Falls
Church, Va, the other as "Arling-
ton. Va" Both letters are in the
same handwriting. Both are vio-
lently annoyed by my wish not to d
give any country, even England,
several more billions OF American
money
1T Is difficult to decide"-this
time It is Christopher who is writ
ing-"whether what you write is
done In an effort to be humorous,
from malice or from ignorance. l
have decided that you are simply
ignorant"
q had suggested that England
might improve her financial status
by cutting down on the expenses Of
maintaining the royal family and
other medieval customs not conso-
nant with a democracy
THE kings salary is paid from
rents and leases on crown proper
ty," explains Christopher. "As
per capita tax. it would amount
TO eight cents"
Multiply eight cents by the mil
lions who populate Britain; 1t would
take quite sum-
"The crown jewels belong to the
nation and are held in trust. The
trappings OF court servants are
part Of the tradition and pageantry
which are SO jealousy guarded by
the people OF England. To do away
with them would cause a great
storm"
ut may cause a slight furry over
here TO ask the American taxpayer
to produce that three-to-six billion