Evening star., 1948-05-04
Methodists Applaud
High Courts sRu|ing on
Restrictive Covenants
By Cospor Nonnes

BOSTON, May Accommodation
Of the Supreme Court decision
against restrictive covenants on
property was greeted by loud ap-
plause this morning at the quadren-
nial meeting of the general con-
ference of the Methodist Church
here.
The commentator, made by the
Rev. George A. Warmer of San
Diego, Calf, came during dis
cussion concerning the retirement of
men beyond 10 on the judicial coun-
Gil of the denomination and the
mandatory inclusion of Negro
member of the council.
The provision for Negro member
is significant step in interracial
relations within the church, for it
makes certain that one Of that race
will. for the first time, have a place
on the tribunal whose position in
the church is comparable to that of
the Supreme Court in secular
American life.
Calls 1t Good job
"If you read your morning papers.
you will find that the young men on
the Supreme Court of the United
States did a pretty good job yester-
day." Mr.. Warmer declared. The
speaker, chairman of the Commit
tee on Judicial Administration, was
speaking in favor of the provision
requiring the retirement of council
members whose 10th birthday pre-
cedes the first day of the regular
session of a general conference"
The legislation requiring that a
colored member Of the denomi-
nation be elected to the council
was initiated by the Rev. Robert M.
Williams of Washington, pastor of
Asbury Methodist Church. The
legislation makes 1t mandatory that
each jurisdiction" of the church
shall be represented on the coun-
cil.' Fhe central jurisdiction is the
colored jurisdiction Of the body. Pre-
viously members of the council were
elected without regard to a juris-
dictional provision. The motion was
passed unanimously.
Colored members Of the denomi-
nation have been nominated in the
past, but none has ever been elected.
1t is expected that J. Ernest Wilkins,
Chicago attorney, will be chosen as
the first of his race to sit on the
council.
Admiral Thomas HOnOred.
In all, three ministerial and two
lay alternates will be elected to the
council, which consists of five min
listers and four laymen.
Rear Admiral William N. Thomas,
Navy chief of chaplain, of Washing
ton was honored by the Council of
Bishops at a special ceremony today.
Bishop Edwin Holt Hughes of St.
Louis presented Admiral Thomas
with a citation lauding him "as
reVered and useful chief of chap
lains. justly granted a high naval
ranking, for 80 years reverently
representing Christ among thou
sands of Navy men, on many seas
and in many lands.
we hand him this scroll as an
assurance OF our pride in the spirit
ual service that. as a minister or
dained in the Methodist Church, he
has rendered" the citation read.
Bishop w. w. Peele, chairman of
the Methodist Commission on Chap
lains. said at the ceremony that
Chaplain Thomas influence on the
officers Of the Navy during the IL
years as chaplain of the Naval
Academy and the many years on
shipboard has made a contribution
OF which we re justly proud"
Admiral Thomas was accompanied
to the conference here by Chief of
ChaplainS of the Air Force Charles
I. Carpenter and by former Deputy
Chief of Chaplains George F. Rixey.
both of Washington.
Resolution on American U.
Among resolutions scheduled to
reach the floor today will be
oAiN toAAAilS 4Ol GIlc Ol
American University in Washing
ton in the general benevolence- Civ
ing program of the denomination.
The measure, which a spokesman
said has the support of the Council
OF Bishops. envisages greater
American University.
John Foster Dulles, a member of
the American Delegation to the
United Nations. will address the
conference tonight. Other speak
erS this evening will be v. K. Well
ington Koo, Chinese Ambassador to
the United States, and Bishop Ralph
A. Ward of Nanking, China.
Civil Service Commissioner Ar
thur S. Fleming of Washington
yesterday hit at church members
whose 'lukewarm' attitude prevents
their facing full responsibilities "as
citizens of the world