# LCMS Convention Proceedings_St. Louis Missouri_1911_S141
# AI translation — CHI Digital Archive (demonstration)

13th Delegate Synod of Missouri, Ohio, and Other States, 1911. 141

...the incorporation of the Reverend Synod has been put in legal order.

In conclusion, the members of the Milwaukee committee take the liberty of once more, in all earnestness, drawing the Reverend Synod's attention to this so extremely important matter, particularly concerning the right of ownership of property, and ask the Reverend Synod to deliberate on this matter without further delay and to take a position on the report set forth above.

If a Reverend Synod wishes to be regarded before the law as the actual owner of the property entrusted to it, then it is absolutely necessary to conform to the laws of the state as well.

Only a short time is needed to deliberate on the evidence, for it is clearly and briefly set forth. Any further postponement of this very important matter could, under certain circumstances, bring incalculable harm to a Reverend Synod.

Through the above positive and open discussion of this whole matter, the members of the Milwaukee committee disclaim all further responsibility. —

The St. Louis committee had submitted the following report:

We had, indeed, not intended to submit a separate report to the Reverend Synod, but since we have learned that the Milwaukee committee has done so, a similar action will probably be expected of us. We have held several meetings, the minutes of which lie ready for inspection. One meeting, held jointly with the Milwaukee committee on February 15, 1909, at which representatives of the Milwaukee committee, their attorney Sheridan, the St. Louis committee, and the attorneys Franklin Ferriss and Joseph H. Zumbalen were present, closed with the joint resolution:

"Resolved, That a legal method be devised by which the interest
of the Missouri Synod will be safeguarded, so that it cannot be
effectually attacked in any court; provided, however, that no other
changes whatever be made.

"Resolved, That the attorneys of both Committees be herewith
instructed and authorized to jointly execute the work outlined in the
above and foregoing resolution."

Such a meeting never came about, although the St. Louis attorneys had a draft ready and were prepared at any time for a meeting with the Milwaukee attorneys; indeed, the aforementioned draft by attorneys Ferriss and Zumbalen was already before the February 1909 meeting and was known to the Milwaukee committee. This committee, in fact, quotes from this draft in its printed pamphlet, "An Opinion of the Legality," etc., pp. 22, 23, and elsewhere. We have, however, taken no steps toward such a