Golden Age, June 13, 1928
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afa Golden Age
A JOURNAL OF FACT HOPE AND z OURAGE
ire this issue
THE TRUTH
an address by Judge Rutherford broadcast throughout North America over a network of 51 radio stations
A PROCLAMATION
"HIS LIGHTNINGS”
beginning of a true story that is stranger than fiction
MORE INTOLERANCE
or why the Government of Canada suppresses free speech in 1928
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EVERY OTHER
FIVE .CENTS A COPY OR
Volume. IX - No. 228
WEDNESDAY ONE DOLLAR A YEAR June 13, 1928
Contents
........■ —■=/—
A CONTINENT-WlDE PROCLAMATION ............. 579
How the Stations Were Distributed ........... 579
Excellent Reception Everywhere ............ 580
Evidence of Public Interest .............. 581
•‘His Lightnings" .................. 583
“Freedom of Air" Predicted .............. 584
Affidavit ..................... 586
Moss Intolerance .................. 591
Statutory Declaration ................ 591
Unfairness of the Press ......
Mass Meetings ................... 594
Freedom of the Air ................. 594
■ Free Speech and the Right of Trial ...
‘ “You Can’t Convict Conviction" .............
A Sample Resolution .................
i Official Propaganda ..................
j Why Attempt to Gag the Truth? ............
' Whs Truth, Address by Judge Rutherford ......... 601
j Origin ......................
| Present Condition ..................
Mortal ......................
: Redemption. ....................
Resurrection ....................
Summary ........
Letter from American Telephone &. Telegraph Co’s L. L. Dept. . 607
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Vohsrat ?X Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, June 13? 1923 Number 223
A Continent-wide Proclamation
ON SUNDAY afternoon, May 13, 1928, at 3 o'clock Eastern daylight saving time, .Judge Rutherford addressed an audience in the Strand Theatre, Albany, New York.
THE TRUTH
That is the title of the masterful address delivered by Judge Rutherford in Albany, N.Y., Suisdays May 13, 1928. Th® oom-plete address is printed in this issue? be« ginning at page 601. '
Subtle and most persistent effort was made by powerful but extremely selfish interests to prevent the people of America from hearing this address by means of radio. The supreme power of Jehovah? the Eterswl Creator, melted all opposition. The story of how the first independently organised na-lienal chain broadcast became a reality on May 13 is also told in this issue, beginning at page 583.
regions, mountain
By means of a nationwide network of wire-con-jseeted broadcasting stations that address, as delivered in Albany, was simultaneously broadcast and heard by hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of persons in cities, rural fastnesses and desert retreats throughout North America, as -well as in ships moving upon, the high seas and in lands beyond the seas.
The radio hook-up was a complete success from every point of view. Throughout thirty states of the Union the message was broadcast. Fifty-one stations were on the honor roll; for it is a great honor to have the privilege of proclaiming THE TRUTH at a time like this, or having any share in so doing.
The Empire State, appropriately, was at the head of the list, with five stations. WGY, Schenectady, as the key station, broadcast simultaneously on regular and shortwave lengths. WABC, WRNY and WGBS, all of New 'York city, and WLTH, Brooklyn, were interconnected with the key station by wire lines.
Illinois, California and Washington had four stations each. Tn Illinois there were WORD, WCFL and WENR, all in Chicago; and WJBL, Decatur. In Washington there were KFPY, Spokane; KVOS, Bellingham; KPQ, Seattle; and KVI, Tacoma. Tn California there were KFWM, Oakland ; KPLA, Los Angeles; KEON, Long Beach; and KFSD, San Diego.
Texas had three stations, W R R, Dallas; WBAP, Fort Worth; and KPRC, Houston. These three stations, together with KFJF, Oklahoma City, and KWKH, Shreveport, La., provided an excellent witness for the truth in the great Southwest. .
How the Stations
Were Distributed
THE New England states had four stations: one each in New 'Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island and Connecticut. These were WBRL, Tilton, N. H.; WNBH, New Bedford, Mass.; WLSI, Providence, R. I.; and WTCC, Bridgeport, Conn., sufficient to cover the whole area, for they are well distributed.
The North Atlantic seaboard was taken care of by one station in New Jersey, two in Pennsylvania, one in the District of Columbia, and one in Virginia. These were WODA, Paterson, N. J.; WNAT, Philadelphia, Pa.: WED'H, Erie, Pa.; WRIIF, Washington, I). C.; and WTAR, Norfolk, Va.
The South Atlantic seaboard and Gulf states had two stations in North Carolina, two in Tennessee, one in Alabama and one in Florida; namely, WNRC, Greensboro, N. C.; WBT, Charlotte, N. C.; WNOX, Knoxville, Tenn.; WB AW, Nashville, Tenn.; WBRC, Birmingham, Ala.; and WQAM, Miami, Fla. An extraordinary witness was given at Miami.
In the Middle Western states there were two stations in Ohio, two in West Virginia, and one in. Indiana. These were WIIK, Cleveland, and WCAH, Columbus, Ohio; WWVA, Wheeling, and WOBU, Charleston, W. Va. • and WKBF, Indianapolis, Ind.
In the Northwestern states there were three stations: one each in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Iowa, in addition to the battery of four stations in Illinois, already listed. These were WEBC, Superior,’ Wis.WRHM, Minneapolis, Mimi.; and KTNT, Muscatine, Iowa.
In the Western Central states, reaching through to the Pacific Coast, there were six stations: two in Colorado, and one each in Missouri, Kansas, Utah and Oregon. These were 'WIL, St. Louis, Mo.; KFH, Wichita, Kansas; KLZ and KO A, Denver, Colo.; KSL, Salt Lake City, Utah: and KEX, Portland, Ore.
Excellent Reception Everywhere
THEBE would have been many more stations.
The extraordinary and sudden, demand for equipment to make the desired connections found the American Telephone and Telegraph Company unable to respond to the full extent. It must be recorded hero, however, that what they could do was excellently done. Only four stations had momentary interruptions in the wire service to the studios, and only one of these -was long enough to break the thread of the lecture. In only a few isolated instances ■was the reception other than best.
We can hardly give space to the reports of reception that have come in from all parts of the United States. They are very similar in phraseology. All were delighted with the' lecture, and heard every word as plainly as though given in their own homes. But we select a few representative expressions from the sheaf of cable and telegraph messages before us.
In Britain and New England
Captain Warden, Glasgow, Scotland: “Enjoyed address. Good reception. Greetings reciprocated.”
G. Y. McCormick, Brooklyn, N. Y.: ‘'Wonderful message. Listeners report fine reception, four local stations.”
Tena B. Welldon, Manchester, N. H.: “Lecture received well here over WBRL. Excellent reception at Franklin.”
H. G. Parker, Springfield, Mass.: “Heard lecture clearly through Schenectady at hall of Springfield I. B. S. A.”
J. A. Payette, Attleboro, Mass.: “Judge Rutherford’s lecture from WLSI clear, distinct and thrilling. No interference.”
Jacob Walz, Bridgeport, Conn.: “Message received fine over WICC.”
On the Atlantic Seaboard
hables R. Hessler, Paterson, N. J.: “Lecture by Judge Rutherford came in clear, as a bell.”
G. G. Calhoon, Philadelphia, Pa.: “Hundred fifty heard program very plainly over WNAT.”
Leo E. Connor, Erie, Pa.: “Perfect reception 'Watchtower program through WEDII, Erie. Heard lecture through amplifiers in auditorium as well as if speaker were present.”
A. L. Smith, 'Washington, D. C.: “Judge Rutherford's lecture a wonderful message. Reception excellent in Washington.”
Jack Light, manager, WTAR, Norfolk, Va.: “'Program came through perfect. Radio audience report wonderful reception every word spoken. Clear as a bell.”
S. P. Honaker, Charleston, W. Va.: “Program came in and broadcast perfectly from station WOBU.”
Mrs. Wayne M. Nelson, Greensboro, N. C.: “Program came through fine over local station WNRC.”
Dr. James A. Edwards, Birmingham, Ala.: “Program came in clear. A wonderful message. Radio party in theatre here voted thanks.”
Richard A. Johnson and J. P. Montz, Miami, Fla.: “Lecture came in clear. Thousands heard in eight city blocks and throughout Bay Front Park, using complete Shrine convention equipment. Much, joy.” [The “’equipment” mentioned consisted of a cluster of forty-eight loud speakers interconnected by W’ires and then connected as a unit with the studio of WQAM, Miami.]
In the Middle West
eorge and Charlotte K’akavas, Cleveland, Ohio: “'We heard you magnifying Jehovah.
Our prayers are ever with his organization.”
H. Zimmerman, Columbus, Ohio: “Tone clear. Volume good. Good reports from listeners.”
Edna Gehres, Chillicothe, Ohio: “Reception of Judge Rutherford’s lecture very good.”
Paul Borchert, Indianapolis, Ind.: “Words fail us to express our joy for Judge Rutherford’s lecture THE TRUTH. Every word clear and distinct. Music beautiful. No static nor any interference.”
Adam Grindal, Decatur, TIL: "Wonderful reception of your program THE TRUTH in Decatur.”
J. P. Holmes, Chicago: “Program heard here as distinctly as if Judge in room. Tuned in on all three stations and it came in fine. Reports verbally indicate little line noise, but much enjoyment of program. Greetings and congratulations from Chicago.”
Zn the Northwest
TEnquist, Duluth. Minn.: “Rutherford lec-
• ture came in dear. .Much appreciated.”
8. Paulson, Minneapolis, Minn.: “Program came in fine. Ck-ar as a boll.”
L. O. Hillyard, Dubuque, Iowa: “Program came in perfectly. Wonderful message. God bless you.”
E. F. Edinger, Cedar Rapids, Iowa: “Heard wonderful message of TRUTH clearly from KTXT. This station also provided a tent seating fifteen hundred people which was filled to capacity listening to lecture.” [Another report, from Muscatine, suggests that approximately eight thousand people heard the address there, as c oat numbers were closely packed in automobiles outside the tent.]
E. W. Stewart, Alliance, Neb.: “Radio lecture received in Nebraska. Every word clear. Greetings in His name.”
hi the Southwest
C. Truscott, St. Louis, Mo.: “Watchtower ® program came in excellently. Talk by
Judge Rutherford very encouraging.”
R, C. Greisen, Wichita, Kans.: “Musical program and lecture by J. F. Rutherford came in over KFH just grand. Eighteen people in reception room at station. All pleased.”
S. F. Cole, Oklahoma City, Okla.: “A wonderful witness. Reception perfect.”
II. L. Brian, Shreveport, La.: “Lecture heard good, clear, strong, except cut out one or two minutes at one forty. Music excellent. Thousands heard here.”
A Dallas audience, Dallas, Texas: “Both Dallas and Fort Worth stations perfect. Appreciations greatest ever.”
J. C. Watt, Fort "Worth, Texas: “Judge Rutherford’s lecture clear as a bell over WRAP.”
II. A. McElvy, Houston, Tex.: “Radio program this afternoon received OK. Forty list* ened in. Heard every word.”
Ira the Far Wesg and Pacific Coast
T. Barber, Denver, Colo.: "Reception at
• Denver absolutely OK. in every respect.”
B. McPherson, Salt Lake City: “Message came in clear as a bell. We got every word.”
Leroy Marsh, Ogden, Utah: “Wonderful lecture. Perfect reception.”
George M art i nidi, Bellingham, Washington: “KVOS Bellingham reception excellent.”
Charles II. Dornton, Seattle, Wash.: “Program came through fine. Attendance good.”
E. O. Miller, Portland. Ore.: “Complete break three minutes. Otherwise reception wonderfully clear. Fifty attending.”
N. A. Yuille, Redwood City, Calif.: “About fifty heard your lecture here. Reception clear and distinct.”
R. A. Bayless, Long Beach, Calif.: “Reception here of your lecture perfect. Greatly enjoyed. Greetings.”
C. F. Condart, San Diego, Calif.: “Hook-up over KFSD complete success. Every word clear as a bell.”
Dr. A. G. Eckols, San Diego, Calif.: “Friends assembled. Truth message fine. More power to you. Love.”
Perhaps the finest message of all'was one from Anton Koerber, Washington, D. C.: “Jehovah’s message came over WRHF as a beautiful song.” That is what it seemed like to those who heard it.
It may be added that the message was heard as plainly in Scranton, Pa., as though the Judge was present in the room.
And in Sweden .
RADIOGRAM received from Mr. T. IL
Eneroth, manager of the International Bible Students Association’s office in Stockholm, Sweden, gave us a slight thrill. His message is dated May 22, and reads: “Met two who heard distinctly thirteenth.”
Evidence of Public Interest
ETTERS now being received by Judge
Rutherford from all parts of the country indicate that the address aroused unusual interest among listeners. A few of these letters have been entrusted to us by Judge Rutherford for reproduction here:
Rochelle, ILL, May 13, 1928 Judge Rutherford,
Brooklyn, N'. Y.
Your Honor:
Your address over radio heard today. Congratulations you surely deserve. Having had sadness within last month, my thoughts have wandered as to where our dear ones venture after death.
Tears I shed while listening to your oration, and my belief is right along your same ideas. You will lighten my burden of sorrow, after losing my sweetheart, to whom I was engaged and had everything in life to live for, if a copy may be granted to me; and your reward will be remembrance in my regular evening prayers. I am
Yours very respectfully,
Arthur Bowses.
Chicago, May 13
Dear Judge: .
Your sermon today on “The Truth” was the finest analysis of the great Scripture subjects I have ever heard.
I shall greatly appreciate your sending me a copy of it
Gratefully,
Edward Hopkins, Jr.
. Branford, Conn., May 14, 1928
Judge Joseph Rutherford,
President, International Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
My husband and I heard and were intensely interested in your lecture over the radio yesterday, entitled “The Truth”, and we would like to further study the subject by means of your pamphlet, which the announcer said might be obtained by writing to you.
We would most certainly appreciate your sending us one. Thanking you in advance, I remain
Very truly yours,
Mrs. M. J. Brandriff.
Hudson, N. Y., May 13, 1928 Judge Joseph F. Rutherford,
Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
You have just closed your lecture “'Truth” and we are intensely interested and thank you. for the copy of same offered, to let some read it that were not permitted to hear the same.
We would have had a room full had we known of it. You were in our room. Thanking you for all, we are Very truly yours,
J. R. Billingham.
Birmingham, Ala., May 13, 1928 Judge Joseph F. Rutherford, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
Agreeable with your statement at the close of your address which was broadcast today, please forward to me a copy of it.
I enjoyed receiving your message this p. m. on our radio and wish to read and reread it for my own good and that of my family and friends.
With high esteem and a God bless you, I am Very truly yours,
Jas. W. Whatlet.
Miami, Fla., May 13, 1928 Judge Rutherford, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir:
I have just listened in on the radio to your wonderful lecture “Truth” and I certainly wish we could have more of these nation-wide hookups.
I would surely appreciate receiving a copy of this lecture and any other reading matter pertaining to the truth about the Scriptures, or perhaps you could advise me where I can purchase some literature of this kind.
I received more good and knowledge from listening to this lecture than I ever have in all the times I have been, to church.
Yours sincerely,
H. M. Garwood.
Austin, Texas, May 14, 1928 Judge Joseph F. Rutherford, Pres., International Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, N. Y.
Dear Sir: '
Yesterday I had the pleasure of listening to your wonderful address on Truth which was a revelation of the past and a forecast of the future based on the facts as outlined by the Bible. Permit me to say that I have lived in. China, Russia, India, Australia, France and numerous other countries and have heard some of the finest orators and prelates deliver their interpretations of God and the Universe, but never have I been more satisfied and understood more clearly the principles we are striving to attain until yesterday afternoon.
Please forward me a copy of “Truth”, as I w’ant to memorize every line, for it means everything in this world, for one who has studied nine denominational interpretations and found all of them lacking in the comfort, happiness and contentment you gave to me.
Sincerely and respectfully,
E. 0. Paxton.
QUESTION: Now, if you were convinced that the great Creator of the Universe, Jehovah God, had a message to deliver to the people of America, you would be just as anxious to deliver that message?
Answer; Yes: just as I do want to let the people get yours.
# * *
Such were among the words heard on Wednesday, Juno 15, 1927, by members of the Federal Radio Commission in Washington, D. C. The occasion was a hearing granted by that Board to the Peoples Pulpit Association, owner and operator of radio broadcasting station WBBR (New’ York). The Association had made application to tire Commission for authority to operate its station on a wave length used exclusively at the time in the New York area by station WJZ, operated by the National Broader. sting Company.
Forty days after the above mentioned conversation between Judge Rutherford and Mr. Merlin Hall Aylesworth, president of the National Broadcasting Co., arrangements had been completed for broadcasting throughout the North American continent an address to be delivered by Judge Rutherford at the principal session of the international convention of the International Bible S-aideiits Association, held in Toronto, Canada. Soon after three o’clock on Sunday afternoon, July 24, 1927, the voice of Judge Rutherford was simultaneously distributed throughout the land by means of the greatest international network of radio broadcasting stations arranged up to that time. Fifty-three powerful ti’ansmitters located in all parts of the United States and Canada participated in this broadcast.
Public interest in the message delivered on that occasion by Judge Rutherford was unprecedented. The ire of a few was stirred to a degree which can not be described in mere words. These few were men and women of so-called influence and prominence, such w'hose chief purpose in life is to get gain and fame for themselves by exacting tribute and. recognition from the “common herd”, as they speak of the public in the privacy of their own councils.
Within the week following this unusual broadcast more than 25,000 individuals wrote personally their requests for a copy of the address which was promised to any who might ask, without charge. The following letter is a sample of the expressions received from the thousands of honest-hearted individuals who heard Judge Rutherford on July 24, 1927.
BEN H. POWELL
Presiding Judge
HUGH B. SHOUT
OGIE SPEER
Judges
F. T. CONNEKLY
Section B
The Commission of Appeals State of Texas
AUSTIN
Clerk July 25, 1927
Judge Joseph F. Rutherford, '
Brooklyn, N. Y. .
My dear Judge Rutherford:
I heard over the radio yesterday your Toronto speech, and I congratulate you upon having the courage to deliver such a speech upon such an occasion. It thrilled me from the beginning to the end. The statements in the main arc recognized by me as absolutely correct. I hope that it will do great good. It is the first speech of the kind, delivered upon such a momentous occasion, which .1 have heard, that meets my genuine approval.
In accordance with the statement that you would send a copy to any one requesting it, I am asking you to send me at least one copy. ’
Very respectfully, [signed] H. B. Shout.
® #
Public demand for copies of that address was so widespread that millions of copies in English and more than a dozen other languages have reached the hands of the people in America, Great Britain, France, Germany and other European lands, as well as every other country throughout the civilized world.
Limitations of time and space prevent mention here of expressions made by representatives of the National Broadcasting Co. to members of the Association with respect to the unprecedented favorable public response and the decidedly small number of adverse criticisms which certain so-called prominent but ultra-selfish individuals had the temerity to send to the Broadcasting Company. Out of the entire list of more than twenty-five thousand letters received during that first week following the broadcast from Toronto, less than two dozen letters of either mild or extreme protest against that address have ever reached the offices of the International Bible Students Association. But in view7 of subsequent developments with respect to the expressed willingness
of the president of the National Broadcasting Co. to make available to the people of .America by means of radio a message which is of vital interest and value to every order-loving person, it seems good at this time to reproduce here a letter written by Mr. Aylesworth to the secretary of Peoples Pulpit Association on the day after the broadcast from Toronto.
I have your letter of July 23rd with enclosure of newspaper from Toronto. I imagine that Judge Rutherford had as large an audience yesterday afternoon as any man living has had over the radio. Fifty-three stations in Canada and the United States were connected for the program. '
May I have several copies of the radio address made by Judge Rutherford ? Don’t you think that my question is rather significant in answer to those who claim that we censor talks and tell the speaker what he must say after we have extended facilities and time on our program? I did not see Judge Rutherford’s address nor did any one of my staff ask for an advance copy. No one can fairly say that Judge Rutherford did not have the Freedom of the Air without censorship.
Very truly yours ' [signed] M. II. Aylesworth.
The foregoing letter was acknowledged on behalf of the International Bible Students Association on August 2, 1927, as follows;
Dear Mr. Aylesworth:
Your letter of July 26, read upon my return to trie city yesterday, is appreciated. I have entered your request for several copies of the radio address of Judge Rutherford, to be sent to you as soon as the printing, now in progress, is completed.
Yes, Mr. Aylesworth, I do think that your request, expressed as it was in the form of a question, is significant as an answer to your critics.
Of greater significance, it seems to me, is your further statement, that “no one can fairly say that Judge Rutherford did not have the Freedom of the Air without censorship". (Possibly you have already seen the attached editorial comment by the St. Louis PostDispat ch, and the article “Christianity and Welfare” from the Buffalo Evening News.)
But of immeasurable significance, I venture to say, is the fact that the executive head of the National Broadcasting Company has unmistakably expressed himself, for public record, as being not only anxious but seriously desirous of having the people get the message of Judge Rutherford.
That you have the whole-hearted and sympathetic concurrence of your Company’s Board of Directors, as yell as that of an overwhelming majority of the listening public, in this expressed generous attitude, I am Confident, In bold contrast stands the unparalleled favorable response of the radio audience with the sharp criticisms which .1 am informed by your staff have come to you from a decided minority, which minority (paradoxically) is composed of persons of recognized prominence.
In this connection, then, I would bring to your personal attention a matter presented, verbally on yesterday to your Mr. II. C. Smith: Within a few days Judge Rutherford will sail to visit the European offices of the Association and to fill lecture engagements in Britain and on the Continent'. While abroad he will consider at first hand the Old World phase of problems, both interesting and perplexing, which now confront all humanity. Upon his return, in the fall he will have something of timely and vital, concern to say to the people of America.
May I now, Mr. Aylesworth, have your early assurance that you will accord us the opportunity to cooperate with your Company in arranging for an even more extensive and effective distribution of that message next fall ? . '
In grateful appreciation of your courtesies extended tip to this time, I am
Cordially, [signed] A. R. Goux.
- Secretary, Peoples Pulpit Association.
This letter of August 2 remains unanswered as such up to the time of this writing.
In September, 1927, the New York Herald Tribune published the following news item:
“Freedom of Air” Predieted
William G. Shepherd Quotes Aylesworth on Winter Policy
In an article in the current issue of “Collier’s Weekly” [September 24, 1927] William G. Shepherd declares that freedom of the air is to be the policy of radio in 1927-’2S. He quotes Merlin H. Aylesworth, president of the National Broadcasting Company, as saying that the company will possibly establish during the winter a forum for the discussion of controversial subjects of all. sorts.
“All that we intend, to ask,” said Mr. Aylesworth, “is that speakers be responsible, reliable persons representing some group of thought or opinion. All I say to such responsible person is, ‘I trust you and your judgment—anything you say will be all right so long as you don’t swear.’ ” .
» • •
On the last day of the year 1927, the following letter was addressed to the president of the National Broadcasting Co.
Dear Mr. Aylesworth:
Judge Rutherford has a number of lecture engagements at various Pacific coast points ' during the next
The Golden aqe
few weeks. To accomplish an effective distribution of his message by radio in territory west of the Rockies, the International Bible Students Association desires us to engage the use of your Pacific network for one hour on the first convenient date in February next, at your usual rate of charge for this service.
We shall be glad to have early advice from you as to availability and cost of the facilities.
In appreciation of your courtesies of the past, we are .. Respectfully yours,
Peoples Pulpit Association’.
On January 25, 1928, Peoples Pulpit Association was informed by the General Manager of the Broadcasting Company that the foregoing letter of December 31 addressed to Mr. Ayles-worth had been referred to the Pacific Coast Division of the company, “'from whom yon will hear direct.”
After waiting in vain until February 2 to “hear direct” from the Pacific Coast Division, a California representative of Peoples Pulpit 'Association was requested to confer personally with the Broadcasting Company’s office in San Francisco. As a result of that conference an offer was sent by the Broadcasting Company to each of its seven affiliated Pacific coast stations, located in San Francisco, Oakland, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle and Spokane. The offer specified a sixty-minute program for Sunday afternoon, February 19, 1928, sponsored by the International Bible Students Association and including an address by Judge Rutherford. Bequest was also made of the Broadcasting Company’s San Francisco office that, if possible, this special network program be originated in San Diego, California; or if not possible to use KFSD (San Diego) as the key station, that the San Diego station be connected to broadcast with the other stations for the occasion.
On February 11, 1928, the following telegram was received in New York from the manager of the Pacific Coast Division of the Broadcasting Company:
: We would not pick up network program from San Diego even if it were acceptable. We offered this program to network for nineteenth and one out of seven stations accepted. The other six refused because of prior commitments or because they regarded Judge Rutherford’s lecture as controversial, therefore not acceptable. We are therefore compelled to refuse program because of inability to deliver service.
Thereupon effort was made on behalf of the International Bible Students Association to
lease telephone wire facilities from the company which furnishes such service to the National Broadcasting Co. It was the desire of the Association to connect with a station in Oakland, Calif., the one station (KHQ, Spokane) which had agreed to accept the February 19 program offered by the Pacific coast representative of the National Broadcasting Co. The purposeful inactivity and the subsequent reluctant cooperation on the part of the Broadcasting Company with reference to the desire of the International Bible Students Association made necessary postponement of the date of the proposed Pacific- broadcast to Sunday, March 25, 1928. '
Engineers of the American Telephone & Telegraph Company’s Pacific coast affiliation undertook to work out a plan whereby several broadcasting stations in the West- might be connected by wire lines for a simultaneous broadcast of an address to be delivered by Judge Rutherford on March 25.
Letters containing full instructions with respect to the plan of this broadcast were dispatched to various points on the Pacific coast from. Brooklyn, N. on February 24. None of those letters were ever delivered to the persons to whom they were addressed; nor is any information to be had up to this time concerning their fate after being deposited in the United States post office at Brooklyn on the night of February 24, 1928. Owing to the loss of those vital instructions and the impossibility of otherwise transmitting the information in time, it became necessary to cancel the order given to the Telephone Company to furnish the required wire lines for connecting certain Pacific coast stations for the proposed simultaneous broadcast on March 25.
* &
Learning that Judge Rutherford was not expected to return to the East in time to fulfil an engagement made for him to speak over radio station WGY, Schenectady, on Sunday, April 15, the Schenectady branch of the International Bible Students Association through its representative contracted for a sixty-minute broadcast over WGY for Sunday, May 13.
Shortly before that contract was made at Schenectady, the Boston representative of the Association had informed, the Association’s Brooklyn headquarters of his desire to. make
arrangements to have Judge Rutherford deliver an address in Boston on May 13, to be broadcast simultaneously through stations WBZA (Boston) and WBZ (Springfield). These two stations are owned and operated by the Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co., of East Pittsburgh, Pa. -The following letter, dated April 13, 1928, was received by the Boston representative of the International Bible Students Association.
I have set aside the period between three and four o’clock on Sunday afternoon, May 13, for the broadcast in which Judge Rutherford is to take part. In making these arrangements, it is necessary for me to have you understand that it is possible that a commercial account can take precedence. However, I do not anticipate any such movement and in the event that such a thing should happen, the time will be moved probably only an half-hour.
The broadcast, I am sure, will be most interesting awl the quartet which I suggested to you in my talk, will make a very pleasing addition.
I would appreciate it very much if you could arrange to have publicity material regarding Judge Rutherford sent to us as soon as possible to insure our being able to publicize the feature as we feel it should be.
Permit me to thank you for the fine cooperation ■which you have extended in arranging this broadcast.
Trusting I may hear from you again in the near future, I am
Very truly yours, [signed] W. Gordon Swan.
Programs, WBZ-WBZA
• * •
During the next few days it became apparent to representatives of the International Bible Students Association in various parts of the United States that there was a well-planned activity under way to “move heaven and earth”, if necessary7, to prevent the proposed nationwide broadcast of an address to be delivered by Judge Rutherford on Sunday, May 13, 1928.
Famed for their diplomacy through centuries of the past, denizens of the British Isles may now begin to take lessons in craftiness from their forefathers’' descendants who inhabit the confines of conservative New England. On April 20, 1928, the gentleman whose letter is reproduced immediately above sent the following communication to the Boston representative of International Bible Students Association;
I received information today that beginning Sunday, April 29th, we are scheduled to present two commercial programs running from three until five o’clock.
As I explained in my letter of recent date [April 13, 1928, reproduced above], our arrangements were subject to change if commercial programs were booked in the time which I offered to you. I did not expect such, a thing to happen as quickly as it did, but under the circumstances I am afraid we must forego the pleasure of presenting the program which you had in mind for us.
At the present I can offer you no alternative period as our schedule is so completely filled that I have no vacant periods.
We are sorry that we cannot complete arrangements for this broadcast.
Very truly yours, [signed] W. Gohbon Swax.
Programs Boston
[The foregoing letter was written originally on official stationery of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company’s broadcasting stations WBZ-WBZA, Hotel Statler, Boston, Mass.]
By this time International Bible Students Association had proceeded with extensive arrangements for use of the above-named Westinghouse stations, as well as other broadcasting stations in the United States, on Sunday, May 13. In view of the cowardly and unbusinesslike procedure on the part of the Westinghouse Company’s Boston office, representatives of the Association were instructed to present the entire matter personally to responsible officials of the company at its headquarters in East Pittsburgh, Pa. Interesting, indeed, are the details set forth in the following formal report:
A F F 11) A V I T
STATE OF NEW YORK ] i ss
COUNTY OF KINGS J
The undersigned, Hugo H. Riemer, upon his oath states:
On Tuesday, April 24, 1928, Mt. G. W. Chambers, of Pittsburgh, and I, Hugo H. Riemer, jointly pursued certain negotiations originally instituted by Radio and Lecture Department of International Bible Students Association, Brooklyn, New York, with the radio broadcasting di.vision of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Boston and Springfield, Massachusetts; that the purpose of said negotiations was and is the engagement of radio broadcasting facilities of said Westinghouse organization (particularly WBZ-WBZA of Springfield-Boston
and KDKA of Pittsburgh) for a sixty-minute period Sunday afternoon, May 13, 1928, to distribute an address to be delivered on that date by Judge J. F. Rutherford, president of International Bible Students Association; and that the following is an accurate report of certain interviews in which said Chambers and Riemer personally and jointly participated on the date first 'above written:
First interviewed Mr. II. P. Davis, vice-president of Westinghouse and also chairman of Board of Directors of National Broadcasting Company. A brief but satisfactory interview. Mr. Davis stated to us, substantially,
That he was concerned with radio matters only in an official capacity; that lie was not informed as to details of our problem and therefore would have to refer us to Mr. Lloyd Thomas, with whom we might take up the matter; that in event Mr. Thomas could not satisfy us, or felt that it was a matter for him (Davis) to decide, they could have a conference and then he and Mr. Thomas would communicate to us their decision. Mr. Davis stated that it has been the policy of his company [presumably meaning Westinghouse] not to permit anything of a controversial nature to be put on their radio stations, whether of religious or political nature; and then added: “However, I do . not say thereby that you come under that classification.”
Thereafter we proceeded immediately to the office of Mr. Lloyd Thomas (of Westinghouse). The forty-five minute interview with Mr. Thomas was attended also by his assistant, Mr. Boyd, to whom Mr. Thomas referred several items of the conversation for confirmation.
Mr. Thomas told us almost word for word what we had previously heard from Mr. Davis; that, they had to draw the-line on anything of a controversial nature. Asked if there were anything that he could put on that would not be subject to controversy, Mr. Thomas admitted that jazz music was objectionable to him and to many others; and also that gome of the “old fogy” ideas taught by clergymen who use Westinghouse broadcasting facilities every Sunday (as well as many other ideas expressed regularly over the said broadcasting facilities) were indeed matters of grave controversy. He added that he had “gotten in bad” with the medical profession and critics for having recently permitted some one to speak who had ideas that differed from theirs.
Mr. Thomas stated further that Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company had accorded broadcasting privileges to a small circle of Pittsburgh churches, consisting of what they call the “’pioneers,” who have been with Westinghouse Pittsburgh station KDKA since the early days of broadcasting; that KDKA is very reticent about taking on any other churches outside of that select circle; that KDKA has turned down others by the hundreds; and that therefore any departure from this set rule would involve them in endless controversy.
As to hookup or network programs, Westinghouse Electric &" Manufacturing Company, Mr. Thomas informed us, has invariably followed the policy of the National Broadcasting Company; that this NBC policy, according to president of NBC, Mr. M. H. Aylesworfh (who acts under advice of Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America), has definitely included in the controversial class programs furnished by International Bible Students Association.
Thereupon Mr. Thomas informed us that he had some reports to make to Mr. Davis and expected to see him in about an hour ; that he would then take the matter up with him and would use his good office to get us on the program for May 13, 1928.
At 4:00 p.m., not having heard from Mr. Thomas, we made repeated efforts by telephone to locate him. We finally reached him and were informed by Mr. Thomas that he was telegraphing Boston (WBZ-WBZA) to accept; that for the present KDKA would wait to see what the attitude of National Broadcasting Co. would be in the matter.
Other incidental matters were considered during the two aforesaid interviews. Either Mr. Davis or Mr. Thomas stated the case of a certain politician'in Chicago who went “wild” over their station and which put them in bad with a good many of the public.
Mr. Thomas was surprised when we stated that WGY (General Electric station at Schenectady, New York) had signed a contract to broadcast the address by Judge Rutherford Sunday afternoon, May 13, 1928. He required us to show him written evidence, which we did, and he expressed the desire to take the paper with him for presentation to Mr. Davis. We suggested a copy be made. This was done by his ■ secretary, who gave the copy to Mr. Thomas.
Mr. Thomas was also surprised at the letter of acceptance written on behalf of Westinghouse Boston station WBZ-WBZA by its program manager, Mr. Gordon Swan, to the Boston representative of International Bible Students Association under date of April 13, 1928. Mr. Thomas said that he did not know of that and took date of the letter. The argument which had been previously presented to Chambers by Westinghouse people in Pittsburgh headquarters with respect to proposed use of WBZ-WBZA on May 13, 1928, by International Bible Students Association was that
“a mere stenographer in the office of WBZ “at Springfield had given consent to an IBSA “representative, without any authority, for “use of WBZ-WBZA by Judge Rutherford on “Sunday, May 13, 1928.”
IW.h Mr. Davis and Mr. Thomas were friendly toward us and there was no evidence of unfriendliness in the attitude of either during our interviews. When we mentioned that the International Bible Students Association has a message for the people that is different, that the people want that message, that the people ought to have an opportunity to hear that message, that the “old-fogy’’ ideas of many clergymen who broadcast are entirely obnoxious to the people, etc., Mr. Thomas repeatedly assured us: “I am sold to that.”
[signed j Hugo H. Riemer.
Subscribed and sworn to before me this 26th day of April, 1928. ■ [signed] Donald Haslett.
Notary Public [seal]
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA]
COUNTY OF ALLEGHENY j
The undersigned, G. Walter Chambers, upon his oath states that he has carefully read the foregoing statement of the affiant Hugo H. Riemer, and that the said statement is a true and accurate record of matters considered in the interviews in which Hugo H. Riemer and I, G. Walter Chambers, personally and jointly participated on Tuesday, April 24, 1928, with the other persons named in said statement.
[signed] G. Walter Chambers.
Subscribed and worn to before me this 27th day of April, 1938
[signed] Hakby Hees. [seal]
Notary Public
On the evening of Tuesday, April 24, 1928, the following telegraphic instruction was sent from Westinghouse headquarters in Pittsburgh to the company’s director of programs at Boston, Mr. John L. Clark:
Kindly arrange to broadcast the International Bible Students Association hour at available period during Sunday afternoon May 13 as near original schedule as possible on commercial basis at regular price. Will write full explanation Wednesday.
After cheerfully enduring further indignities and wholly unbusinesslike treatment by the director of programs who had received the foregoing instruction from his employers, the Boston representative of International Bible Students Association was finally provided, on April 27, 1928, with a formal commercial contract or “Broadcasting Agreement”. He in turn offered to the Westinghouse representative at Boston check for $171.50 in payment for the sixty-minute period contracted for May 13. The check was accepted, the contracts were duly executed, and all copies retained by the Boston director of programs, to be forwarded by him, as he stated, to Pittsburgh headquarters for official scrutiny and approval.
Up to this time (April 27) it had been the intention of Peoples Pulpit Association to use ’WBZA of Boston as the key station for the nation-wide broadcast on Sunday, May 13, 1928.
Having been informed of the unsympathetic and unbusinesslike conduct of the personnel of the Westinghouse Boston station’s staff in dis' charging their employer's contract obligations, Peoples Pulpit Association instructed two of its representatives to personally interview Mr. Lloyd C. Thomas, of Westinghouse, upon his arrival in New York on May 1. The interview, arranged for the next morning, resulted in Mr. Thomas’ entering a notation upon an extra copy of the Boston contract which had been sent to Peoples Pulpit Association only as a matter of information. That notation reads:
May 2, 1928
Approved subject to financial approval and receipt of original contracts for formal approval, for local broadcasting only. . LLOYD C. THOMAS.
Additionally, during the interview consideration was given to a suggestion made on his own initiative by Mr. Thomas. That suggestion was presented, quite evidently, out of the goodness of his own heart; for it was clearly intended by Mr. Thomas to aid Peoples Pulpit Association in interpreting his provisional approval of the contract, which specified, “for local broadcasting only.”
Use of Westinghouse stations for chain broadcasting would be subject also to the approval of the National Broadcasting Co., Mr. Thomas explained. In event, however, that such additional approval were withheld (Mr. Thomas suggested), there would be nothing to prevent installation of an exclusive pick-up (by means of an extra microphone and wire line) to connect the Boston-Springfield Westinghouse stations with a public auditorium in either Boston or Springfield. From the platform of that auditorium the speaker’s voice could, then be conveyed through that extra microphone to the Westinghouse stations, and also through the regular microphone to an independently connected group of other radio stations located in all parts of the country.
But now another lesson was chalked up on the blackboard: “Personal goodness” and “company policy” are two distinct and different elements.
In other words, the personal goodness of a well-intentioned and faithful employe is one thing. The policy of his employer, a giant corporation, is another thing. The former is necessarily subject to the latter, regardless of consequences to either.
The following parenthetical chapter of this story is inserted at this point to enable the reader to appreciate more readily the movements of those who played their part in furtherance of the Westinghouse policy.
s* #
Though admitting a respect for him as a man of extraordinary attainments, and more particularly as a friend who has displayed courage of a rare degree in most perplexing circumstances, it is with neither apology nor malice that presentation is here made of certain facts which necessarily involve mention of the name of that man and friend. He is the present chief executive officer of the National Broadcasting Co., Sir. Merlin Hall Aylesworth.
The following letter, dated May 3, 1928, addressed to Air. Aylesworth, speaks for itself : Dear Sir:
Jehovah, the Eternal God, in His Word declares that those who reverence Him shall now tell clearly among the peoples of all the earth the good news of His incoming kingdom, and of His King, Christ Jesus. It is •in the name of Jehovah that we present for your consideration the following:
In pursuing arrangements for nation-wide distribution by radio of an address to be delivered by Judge Rutherford, President of the International Bible Students Association, on Sunday afternoon, May 13, 1928, during a special sixty-minute IBS A program (3 to 4 Eastern Daylight time), it becomes necessary for ua to present to you as the chief officer of the National Broadcasting Company certain questions touching the policy of your company with respect to radio broadcasting in the United States of America. We shall thank you, therefore, to let us have an immediate answer, so .that there will be no unnecessary delay in completing <rrangements for May 13.
• On May 1, 1928, American Telephone & Telegraph
Company., through its General Commercial Manager, accepted our order to furnish broadcasting facilities to connect station WBZ-WBZA (Boston-Springfield) with station KFWM (Oakland, California) for the May 13 event mentioned.
[Space limitations forbid including here the details presented in the next eleven paragraphs of this letter. Those paragraphs set forth particulars with respect to the subtle but certain and persistent opposition encountered throughout the United States by representatives of International Bible Students Association who had undertaken to make arrangements at various points for the. May 13 broadcast of Judge Rutherford’s address. Then follows a respectful request for immediate answer, in writing, “to each and all of the following questions”, seven in number. And then, the concluding paragraph of the letter:]
In view of the foregoing, and the further fact that we have entered order for certain wire facilities io be furnished by American Telephone & Telegraph ’ Company for Sunday afternoon, May 13, 1928, and because of the element of uncertainty which is injected imo the situation by reason of the attitude or policy of National Broadcasting Company toward the arrangement of this network broadcast, we deem the condition such as to compel us to present to the President of American Telephone & Telegraph. Company, and to each of the other gentlemen listed below, a copy of this letter, that the facts may be known to those whose interests are involved.
Respectfully, Peoples Pulpit Association.
cc Mr. W. S. 'Gifford, President, American Telephone & Telegraph Co,, 195 Broadway, New York, N. Y.
ec Mr. II. H. Carter,
General Commercial Manager, AT&T Company, 15 Dey St., New York, N.’ Y.
cc Mr. Owen D. Young, Chairman, Board of Directors, General Electric Co.* 120 Broadway, New York, N. Y.
oe Mr. H. P. Davis, Chairman, Board of Directors, National Broadest ing Co.,
East Pittsburgh, Pa.
ec Mt. W. E. Harkness,
Manager of Auxiliary Services, AT&T Company, 15 Dey St.. New York, N. Y.
ec Mr. Lloyd C. Thomas, representing
Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Company, East Pittsburgh, Pa.
ec Hon. Ira E. Robinson,
Chairman, Federal Radio Commission, Washington, D. C. .
Having taken counsel on. Friday, May 4, with the Board of Directors, the president of National Broadcasting Co. sent the following reply, on May 5, to the secretary of Peoples Pulpit Association:
My dear Sir:
This is an acknowledgment of your . letter of May 3, 1928. .. . ‘
At the request of Judge J. F. Rutherford, your leader, the National Broadcasting Company extended its facilities for a speech by him which was delivered last July. Complete freedom was accorded to Judge Rutherford, as it is to all speakers, when facilities are extended. Judge Rutherford’s speech was a rabid attack upon organized religion and the clergy of all denominations.
In view of that experience, the National Broadcasting Company cannot again permit its facilities to be used by him or his organization.
Very truly yours, [signed] M. H. Ayt.eswobth.
• * *
'“Freedom for the Peoples,” the speech of ’Judge Rutherford which is styled in the foregoing letter as “a rabid attack upon organized religion and the clergy of all denominations”, was heard by millions of honest and order-loving people on July 24, 1927. Many of those who heard, as well as other millions in every land throughout the earth, have thoughtfully read the printed address which may be found to this day in the homes of those who love truth and also of some who love deceit and falsehood. “Organized religion” and “the clergy of all denominations” are probably beginning to find out who among the people in all the earth are lovers of darkness, mystery, duplicity, hypocrisy, and an abundance of revenue in the form of tinkling silver in the collection plate 1
To honest-hearted lovers of truth who listened to Him about eighteen centuries ago, the Minister of the living God said: “Yon shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.”—John 8:32. '
Judge Rutherford’s address, “Freedom for the Peoples,” speaks for itself. .
Again, limitations of time and space prevent mention here of much other pertinent matter to indicate clearly the cowardly but persistent effort put forth recently by The Associated Press, by “organized religion” and “the clergy of all denominations” to hinder or prevent nation-wide distribution by radio of the address delivered by Judge Rutherford in Albany on Sunday, May 13. So this ends the foregoing parenthetical chapter.
# * *
The Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Broadcasting Co., Mr. H. P. Davis, is also vice-president of Westinghouse Electric & Manufacturing Co.
Since Mr. Davis positively and deliberately refused to read a letter addressed to him by the secretary of Peoples Pulpit Association when the letter was respectfully presented to him at his office, those who were disappointed in being unable to tune in Judge Rutherford on May ■ 13 through Westinghouse stations WBZ-WBZA may choose to read that letter. It is dated May 6, 1928 and is here reproduced in full;
Dear Mr. Davis:
You are probably more or less familiar with the status of a matter concerning use of Westinghouse stations WBZ-WBZA for a sixty-minute special IBSA program on Sunday afternoon, May 13 next, including an address by Judge Rutherford.
A copy of formal Westinghouse BROADCASTING AGREEMENT covering the above sendee was approved provisionally by your Mr. Lloyd C. Thomas on May 2, at my request in New York. At. the time of entering his approval on the contract, Mr. Thomas told me (in the presence of Mr. II. H. Riemer, our Vice President) that in event the National Broadcasting Company should decide to withhold its approval for use of Westinghouse stations in a network broadcast of the program mentioned, we might still be thoroughly assured of using stations WBZ-WBZA by means of an independent pickup. It is just such an arrangement that we had contemplated even before Mr. Thomas suggested the possibility; and therefore his suggestion was even the more welcome.
In the meantime Mr. Aylesworth has declared to us the policy of NBC with respect to Judge Rutherford. ' ' Now Mr. Thomas informs us that the ONLY WAY ia.....
which Westinghouse “Plant” or “Operating Depart®-™^ merit” will permit use of stations WBZ-WBZA ui.ctr the above mentioned contract is on the basis of a strictly local broadcast, from the station studio either m Ticeioa or Springfield. The purpose of such a cowardly ruling is obvious.
In view of all that you, Mr. Davis, have said to our representatives with respect to this broadcast, we can hardly believe that you would concur in the judgment exercised by your “Plant” or “Operating Department” as reported to us by Mr. Thomas. If you do believe that
the extreme and unreasonable limitation imposed should be enforced, will you, Mr. Davis, as a responsible official of Westinghouse, be good enough to do us the courtesy to enter notation of cancelation of Mr. Thomas’ approval over your own signature on the contract which we have entrusted to Mr. Chambers for presentation to you. (To be continued)
More Intolerance
O ECENTLY the Canadian Government re-®- * fused to further license the stations of the International Bible Students Association. The Association is incorporated under the laws of Canada. It operated four stations. After being pressed so to do, the Minister of Marine and Fisheries, having jurisdiction over radio in Canada, placed before the House of Commons at Ottawa the correspondence dealing with the reason for rejecting the licenses. This file of correspondence included approximately ninety-five letters, reports, petitions and copies of newspaper clippings. The manifest unfairness on the part of the Inspector, S. J. Ellis, in making his report quickly appears.
It is stated by him that the complaints began to be received as far back as 1918. As a matter of fact there was not a broadcasting station in Canada in which the Bible Students Association was interested or that had anything to do with broadcasting in 1918. No broadcasting was really done in Canada by the Bible Students until 1924. In the complaints filed it is stated, “if they [Bible Students] had their way they would be on the air with their propaganda morning, noon and night, very much to the disgust of the general public.”
As a matter of fact the Bible Students are not engaged and never have been engaged in propaganda. Propaganda means a systematic effort put forth toward gaining public support for an opinion or course of action. The Bible Students have never attempted to do this. The Association has never advanced the opinion of any man. It is publishing the truth preached by the prophets of old, by Jesus and by the apostles, concerning God’s kingdom. Never has a dollar been solicited. Never has any one been asked to join. The work has been entirely educational and for the benefit of the people.
It is quite manifest from the complaints filed that they are made by unreasonable and intolerant persons who desire to prevent the people from having an opportunity to hear anything that is not pleasing to the objectors.
By way of contrast attention is here called to the fact that the objectors filed approximately ninety-five letters, reports and petitions. As against this, citizens throughout Canada to the number of more than twenty thousand wrote letters to the department expressing their appreciation of the Bible Students’ programs and protesting against the discontinuance of its licenses. In addition thereto fifteen hundred telegrams were received by the department of the government from citizens of Canada expressing their indignation at the Government’s action in discontinuing the licenses of the Bible Students. In addition thereto, 458,026 persons signed a petition protesting against the canceling of said licenses and calling upon the Premier to renew the licenses for the International Bible Students Association. Of this number 82,468 are the owners of receiving sets. In addition thereto, mass meetings were held throughout Canada by great numbers of people protesting against the action of the Government.
Immediately following the tabling of the objections, W. F. Salter, manager for the Bible Students of Canada, filed an affidavit which is as follows, to wit:
STATUTORY DECLARATION
CANADA
PROVINCE OF ONTARIO
COUNTY OF CARLETON '
to wit:
I, Walter Frederick Salter, of 83 Wembley Drive, Toronto in the Province of Ontario, Vice-President and General Manager of the International Bible Students Association of Canada, declare as follows:
1. I am Vice-President and General Manager of the International Bible Students Association of Canada.
2. I have examined carefully the correspondence tabled by the Department of Marine and Fisheries in the House of Commons in response to the request for said correspondence by J. S. Woodsworth, Member of Parliament for North Centre Winnipeg on behalf of A. A. Heaps, Member of Parliament for North Winnipeg, and find the letters of Divisional Radio Inspector S. J. Ellis of Toronto contain statements which I declare are incorrect, viz:
(a) That we employed 100 returned soldiers to canvass for names to the petition of protest. The fact is that we did not employ any one; that all the work was done freely and voluntarily by workers throughout Canada, some of whom were members of out Association; some of whom were citizens indignant at the action of the Government; and some of whom were returned soldiers; but the number of returned men working in Toronto could not at the outside number more than half a dozen. No one received payment for seen ring names to the said petition.
(b) That it is not true as implied by Inspector S. J. Ellis in his letter of -March 26, 1928, that we endeavored to get names to the said petition by other than proper means.
(c) That it is not true as stated in the letter of Inspector S. J. Ellis dated June 29, 1927, that we broadcast only propaganda. By propaganda is meant ‘the beliefs or tenets of an association or body of people’. I declare that churches that are broadcasting set forth what they profess to believe to be their proper interpretation of Scripture and do so to be true to their claimed mission and needless to say their interpretations do not find favor with all. There should be no objection to any organization broadcasting a sLavement of their honest beliefs.
However, it is untrue that all our programs are of such a nature. Most of the time of the stations by far has been spent in broadcasting as follows:
aa. Sacred and classical music.
…