Page 5

The crucial problem appears to be leadership. The Baptist Bible Union was ruled by a
presidential triumvirate, and its history reinforces the validity of the maxim
concerning "too many chiefs".

1926 proved to be the BBUs pivotal year. The high point came at the Southern

Baptist Convention, where Norris persuaded the delegates to adopt an anti-evolutionary
statement. All the schools and boards were asked to sign the statement, and it was viewed as
an "unprecedented victory," which would hopefully send a signal to the Northern Baptist
Convention."

Such hope was short-lived. The Northern Convention did not carry the same

mood as her Southern sister, and the conservatives initiatives went down to overwhelming
defeat. They attempted to present an alternative ballot for convention nominees, with sincere
hopes of getting a voice in the convention political machine. However, when the votes were
counted, the conservatives had lost by a margin of 1,708 to 481, with 224 mixed ballots.

Conservative losses were attributed to the fact that all convention employees were voting
delegates, and had their way paid by the convention itself. After a similar incident the
following year, it became apparent no real progress was being made. John Roach Straton
from New York and William Bell Riley were holding out in the hopes that they could
disenfranchise the convention employees. In a telling exchange with Riley, the issue became
settled for the younger Robert T. Ketcham:

"Yes, thats right, Dr. Riley. But do you really have any notion that youre going

to get this crowd to disenfranchise themselves?"

. . . "Oh, I guess not, Bob; I guess not."

. . . In a voice choked with emotion, Bob softly said, "No, I guess not. Im

through, Dr. Riley; I am going home and I will never be back!"

With the loyal becoming disillusioned with their chances of victory in the North,

J. Frank Norris would become embroiled in the controversy that would ultimately discredit
his leadership. Norris repeatedly attacked the Roman Catholic mayor of Fort Worth, H. C.
Meacham, in his sermons and papers. Meacham responded by firing several of Norris church
members from his department store, only further aggravating the "Texas Tornado." The
confrontation climaxed when a friend of Meachams, a wealthy lumberman named D. E.
Chipps, came to call on Norris at the church office. Norris had received threats on his life,

Bartlett, introduction.

Ibid., 12, referring to the Gospel Witness edition of May 20, 1926, p. 19.

Delnay, 97.

Murdoch, 117.