"Pub"

Anxious for the good name of the Church of England, hundreds of worthy parishioners burdened the Bishop of Norwich with lengthy letters appealing for less publicity in the episcopal trial of "The Lustful Rector of Stiffkey (Stewky)," a nationwide sensation (TIME, April 11).

Ignoring all such pleas the Church court, presided over by white-wigged Chancellor Frederick Keppel North, went on majestically and publicly with the trial of Rev. Harold F. Davidson, accused of lusting for ten years after London daughters of joy whose souls it was his mission to save.

"I have not the power to reduce the publicity in this case and if I had I would not," roundly declared Chancellor North. "I believe in publicity. Serious as the mischief may be from publishing the nasty details, it is not nearly so serious as the mischief of secret trials might be."

Nearly every day the Reverend Chancellor, who has led a sheltered life, learned something new. At the mention of a "pub" he pricked up his ears.

"Now what do you mean by a 'pub'?" asked Chancellor North.

Lawyer Levy, counsel for Mr. Davidson, denned a pub to the Chancellor's satisfaction as "a hotel bar." He also showed that Detective Searle, acting for the ecclesiastical prosecution, had taken Miss Rose Ellis (one of Mr. Davidson's "nieces") to a pub and there not only plied her with drink but pressed upon her -L-2, after which she signed an affidavit incriminating Mr. Davidson.

A landlady testified that another of Mr. Davidson's "nieces" was "a bad-mannered flapper," which further intrigued Chancellor North.

"Is she--" he asked picking his words with care, "one of those--unfortunates?"

"I don't think it is seriously in doubt," snapped Lawyer Levy, "that she is a woman of questionable character."

Detective Searle testified that the Church of England had employed investigators for six months to get evidence against Mr. Davidson. The trial was proceeding on its course when Lawyer Levy suddenly announced that his client was flat, stony broke. In these circumstances Lawyer Levy prepared to withdraw.

Ensued hurried consultations. Then, amazingly, Ecclesiastical Prosecutor Roland Oliver told Mr. Davidson that his prosecuting church would advance him -L-250 to pay his defending lawyer and that, should more be needed, the Church might advance more. Stanchly with the Rector last week stood his thin wife, plump daughter and broad-shouldered, smiling son.

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