Evening star., 1950-06-04
Hear
Appeal Against
Action Group
200 Loymen Petition
For Disossociution
Of Federation
By Cospor Names
Sior Stoff cosrespcndent

Methodist Federation of Social
Action be disassociated from The
Methodist Church was referred to
the General Conference today by
the Baltimore Annual Conference
The Baltimore Conference
which is holding its 166th session
at Western Maryland College
here, received the resolution to-
day from a committee represent
ing about 200 laymen. Submitted
a few minutes before today's
meeting was scheduled to close
the motion was referred to the
Committee on Memorials to the
General Conference, which will
be held in 1852 at San Francisco
The statement declared that
inclusion of the word Methodist
in the title, "The Methodist Fed
Grafton of Social Action" was mis-
leading because it created q
widespread impression that this
organization expresses the social
and economic views of The Meth
odist Church and its member
ship"
Says Group Lacks Sanction.
Pointing out that the Social
Action Federation had mo official
sanction" the motion called on
the Council of Bishops to take
action toward elimination of the
word Methods" in the organiza-
tion's title, It further urged that
steps be taken to prevent "the use
of properties of The Methodist
Church for Office accommodations
and accessories" in New York by
the group.
Action looking toward asking
"those Methodist officers, clergy
and laymen who held membership
in the Methodist Federation for
Social Action" to withdraw from
that body was also included in the
resolution.
Some delegates had expressed
opposition to political and eco
nomic theories advanced by some
members of the federation. on
grounds they veered too far to the
left.
Bishops Statement Recalled.
The Methodist Council of Bish-
ops issued a statement in April
making clear the federation is q
voluntary and independent Or
ganization which does not speak
for the church and over which
the church has no jurisdiction.
The statement said that since
it's founding in 1907. the fedora
ton "has counted in it's member
ship some our most distinguished
Methodists.
The bishops pointed out the fed
Grafton has already taken steps to
drop the word Methodist" from
its title.
ID. C. Alcohol Problem Told.
The Rev. Carridine r. Hooton
executive secretary of the Meth
odist Board Of Temperance, told
the gathering today that n per
cent of the Washington Police De-
partment's time was spent deal
ing with alcoholic problems. He
also declared there were Is million
drinkers of alcoholic beverages in
the United States. a..
A bill now in Congress banning
color liquor advertising on televi-
sion, in magazines and in news
papers has a good chance to pass
Mr.. Hooton said.
Washington officials should put
"zippers on their mouths" after
taking a drink, DR.. Hooton said
He asserted there has been q leak
age Of State secrets because ''men
in high places" have let their
tongues wag while drinking.
Other Actions Listed.
His speech was a highlight OF
busy session during which the
clerical and lay delegates also
Adopted a resolution pro-
testing the granting of a liquor
license at Baltimore's new Friend
ship International Airport;
2-Admitted seven young min
listers into full conference mem
bership, and five others to the
usual two-year trial that pro-
ceeds full membership.
3-Approved a report Of the
Conferences Board of Education
which recommended that each
church school worker take a lead
ership training course during the
coming year.
Area Ministers Admitted.
Washington area ministers who
were received into full member
ship in the conference were the
Rev. Edward B. Lewis, pastor OF
Union Methodist Church. and the
Rev. Warren A. Firth, Hollywood
Md, brother of the Rev. William
E. Firth of st. Paul Methodist
Church, Washington, and the Rev
Walter label, Great Falls. Md.
Two District men received as
ministers on trial were the Rev
John w. Kuschel and Edwin H
Langrall. The latter is the son Of
the Rev. O.. B. Langrall, pastor
of Francis Asbury Methodist
Church. Others received include
the Rev. Ralph G. Barrett, Mount
Airy, and the Rev. BENJAMIN r
Hartley. Leonardtown.
The Rev. Royal A. Rice of La
Plata was retired.
The Rev. DR.. A. S. Mowbray OF
Washington inherited the gold
headed cane traditionally passed
along to the oldest living minister
in the conference. DR.. Mowbray
now in his 92d year, has long
since retired.
He was unable to be present for
the ceremony. The cane was ac-
cepted for him by the Rev. Mel
vim e. Lederer of the Ryland
ARav,e rvsSa1 ry,,ywnye Sv@ VIZ