Golden Age, July 4, 1934

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(ihc Golden Age

A JOURNAL OF FACT HOPE AND COURAGE

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in this issue

FAMINE

Full text of lecture by Judge Rutherford broadcast over chain June 17, 1934

RADIO HEARINGS BEFORE COMMERCE COMMITTEE ’’THE VICAR OF CHRIST”

NOTES ON NEWS REDEMPTION

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every other WEDNESDAY five cents a copy one dollar a year

Canada & Foreign 1.25

Vol. XV - No. 386 July 4, 1934

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CONTENTS

LABOR AND ECONOMICS

Famine Conditions in North Am erica......Gil

SOCIAL AND EDUCATIONAL

Distortion of a Beautiful Truth . 636

Jonesboro Murderer Acquitted . 637

FINANCE—COMMERCE—TRANSPORTATION

"Religion” for Sale at 2% Gross . 637

POLITICAL—DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN

Radio Hearings Before the Commerce Committee . . . 617 Congressman McFadden s

Statement.......617

Statement of Jehovah’s witnesses 618

Federal Radio Commission . . 618

Roman Catholic Hierarchy . . 620

Chain Broadcasting Systems . 621 Facts About National Catholic

Welfare Conference . . . 622

“Resolutions”......624

Attempt to Cover Their Trades (?) 626 “The Plea for Tolerance” . . 626

Use of Boycott Methods to Intimidate Radio Stations . 627

Collusion Between Hierarchy and

Federal Radio Commission' . 628

Truth About Signatures to the Petition

Jailed for Circulating Petition . 628

Affidavits of Boycotting Operations

Coercive Practices of Catholic

Newspaper

Execution of Jehovah’s Judgments 629

Boycott Operations in Minnesota 630

Operation of Boycott in Ohio . 630

Coercion by Telegraph . . . 630

Huge, Conscienceless Racket . 630

Investigation Recommended . 631

An Affidavit That Died

for Want of Courage . . . 631

A Catholic of Fine Public Spirit 633

SCIENCE AND INVENTION

Earth Gradually Growing Warmer 616

HOME AND HEALTH

Want to Kill Your Dog ? . , . 639

TRAVEL AND MISCELLANY

“Queer Meeting” in Indiana . , 636 “The Holiest of the Holy” . . 637 Better Never to Have Known , . 637

RELIGION AND PHILOSOPHY

Can You Spare $5 or $10? . . 633

“The Vicar of Christ” . . . 634

British Protest Against Injustices

to Jehovah’s witnesses in Germany 636

The Happy “Millionaire” . . . 636

Gestures of Tolerance in Plainfield 637

The Carillon at Plainfield . . . 637

Food Rejected When Supplied . 637

The Ability to Snivel Well . . , 637

Redemption........639

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ahe Golden Age

Volume XV Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, July 4, 1934 Number 386

Famine Conditions in North America

Chain broadcast from Brooklyn, Sunday, June 17, 1934, by Judge Rutherford

FOR some time the American people have heard of famines and pestilences that have devastated foreign lands. Now these hideous monsters of famine and pestilence threaten this continent, and even today much of North American territory has become a veritable waste. The long period of economic depression is still upon the country. Added to this, in many of the states and in the provinces of Canada there is almost a total failure of crops, pastures are dead, and cattle are dying from starvation. The small amount of vegetation that has survived the burning rays of the sun and the destructive winds has been quickly devoured by the pest of grasshoppers. Vast fields that once blossomed and produced an abundance of food for man and beast are now a desert waste.

America has never experienced a real famine, but that this country is now threatened by famine and pestilence there is not the slightest doubt. Millions of people are in dire distress and great perplexity, as indeed they have cause to be. With the greatest concern and anxiety many are now asking, Who is blamable for these perils ? Others are saying, This is supposed to be a Christian land, and why should a just God permit famines and pestilences to afflict this land, where the people have always enjoyed the freedom of worship of Almighty God ? Seeking an answer to their own inquiries, some charge that the present administration at Washington is responsible for the threatened disaster. Others charge that Almighty God has brought the suffering and distress upon the people by famine and pestilence as a punishment for their derelictions. Others hold that, because at the beginning of his administration the president stated that he trusted in divine guidance for the administration of public affairs, the result now shows that God has guided the president and led him and the people into the present great distress and suffering; hence that Mr. Roosevelt and God are responsible therefor, and that the famine and pestilence now threatening is a direct punishment from God because of an unwise course taken. The New York American on the 5th of June published this statement: “Already some critics of the pigkilling and bread-reducing acreage are wondering whether this drought is not God’s punishment for the destruction of foods when so many people are out of work.”

It is good for Americans to pause and reflect, at this Juncture, that the life of every one of us is in the hollow of God's hand, and not in the NRA, the AAA, the CWA, or any other of the multitudinous remedies for earth’s ills that flow so readily out over the radio, through legls* lation, and through the press.

Kindly, but plainly, In this address Judge Rutherford brings his hearers back from the labyrinth of human schemes and speculations to the consideration of some homely truths about food supplies and conservation that proved their worth centuries before any of us were born.

The interest that God has or could have in a famine Is something of vital concern to all of us who find it to our own person* al interest, convenience and necessity to come to our tables three times a day to feast upon the bounties which He provides. Is this famine from Him?

As you read this report of Judge Rutherford's lecture, see the Inescapable logic with which he reveals God’s kingdom as the only hope of the world, and His Word as the only safe guide in the maelstrom of perplexities midst which we whirl. —Ed.

Famine and pestilence are terrible scourges and entail upon the people indescribable suffering, and it would be very wrong to charge anyone with responsibility for such calamities unless the evidence in support of such charge is clear and convincing beyond a reasonable doubt. To magnify the mistakes or derelictions of men is not my purpose, nor would I indulge in the

idle hope of influencing public officials to change their way in the administration of governmental affairs. My purpose is to bring to the attention of the common people the indisputable facts, that they may see the real cause of the distress on earth and then that they may find the only possible way for security and safety and, above all, that they might have a proper conception of Jehovah, the great Almighty God.

It is one thing to say, “I trust in divine guidance,” and still a far different thing to be guided by the divine Almighty God. If a high official surrounds himself with men who are wise in the wisdom of this world, even if those men are properly designated “the brain trust”, and if he is guided by their counsel, it is certain that he is not being guided by divine wisdom. In the Scriptures it is written: “Hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” Again says Jehovah, at Psalm 146: “Put not your trust in princes, nor in the son of man, in whom there is no help.” And again say the Scriptures: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.” —Proverbs 3: 5, 6.

Jehovah God has put in the Bible, which is His Word, the true guide for man who seeks divine guidance, and the only possible way to have such guidance is to know, rely upon and follow the Word of God; as it is written, in Psalm 119: “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Furthermore the Scriptures declare: ‘The law of God is perfect; the testimony of Jehovah is sure, making wise the teachable.’ (Psalm 19) Men who have no faith in the Word of Jehovah God, and who ignore His Word and pursue a course according to human wisdom, are unsafe counselors. No man can disregard the Word of Jehovah as it is written in the Scriptures and expect to be divinely guided.—Proverbs 1: 25-33.

In a sincere effort to pull the country out of a great economic depression the NBA was brought into existence. Is the NRA of divine origin? Under it provision is made for reducing the production of wheat and corn, and for the destruction of domestic animals, in order to enhance the commercial value of that which remains; and could that be the result of divine guidance? The divine Word, by which He guides those who trust Him, gives a thundering answer, NO. Then it must follow that the “recovery act”, so called, is the result of human wisdom.

Jehovah God does not change at any time; hence if He would guide men in one instance in the restriction of the production of food, and in the destruction of animals, to enhance the value of that which is not destroyed, He would do so on another occasion. As an example, Diocletian, the emperor of Pagan Rome, put in operation an economic system similar to the NRA. About the year 300 he issued an edict regulating wages and the price of goods, decreed the destruction of one-third of the vineyards, reduced the production of food and fixed the price thereof, taxed the people to the limit, and punished the violators of his edict with death and, says The Encyclopedia Americana: “The result thereof was disaster.” It is certain that Jehovah God did not guide Diocletian, because he was a heathen who practiced the Devil religion, and who viciously persecuted Christians; and he having no faith in Jehovah God, and opposing Him, certainly God would not guide him.— Malachi 3:6; Psalm 25: 9,10.

The Catholic press has repeatedly published the claim that the principles of the NRA originated with the pope, who resides at Vatican City, near Rome, and the implied conclusion is that the people should accept the NRA as coming from the Lord. There is not the slightest evidence that it is in accord with the Word of Jehovah God. The fact that an old and strong religious organization advocates the same is no evidence whatsoever that it has Jehovah God’s approval.

The greatest of all international famines that afflicted the entire earth, for seven years, was during the time when Joseph was ruler in Egypt. The Scriptural evidence is clear and convincing that Jehovah God did guide and approve Joseph. (Hebrews 11:22) The Bible record at Genesis shows that Joseph, acting upon specific instructions from Jehovah God, and being warned of the approaching famine, increased the production of food and during the plenteous years stored it up in the granaries, and by this means the people from all parts of the earth, during the famine, were fed. (Genesis, chapters 41 to 47) This record of divine guidance is exactly contrary to the practice of paying the farmers to let their fields lie idle and to kill their pigs in order to enhance the price of that which remains.

Furthermore, the destruction of animals good for food, merely for the purpose of enhancing the price of that which is retained, is a direct violation of God’s everlasting covenant, as recorded in the ninth chapter of Genesis, and for the breaking of which God declares, at Isaiah 24, He will hold men and nations responsible.

To tax one class of people to raise money and use it to pay the farmers to refrain from raising foodstuffs and to let their lands go untilled and grow up in weeds and thistles, begets idleness, slothfulness and wastefulness. Idleness and slothfulness breed crime. Such a course could not be according to the divine will, because it is written in the divine Word that ‘man must earn his bread by the sweat of his face’; and God condemns idleness and slothfulness, as it is written (Proverbs 18: 9): “He also that is slothful in his work is brother to him that is a great waster.” Divine wisdom and guidance must be in harmony with God’s Word, and such guidance would encourage the people to produce all the food possible and store the surplus against an evil day, such as the world is now experiencing.

The question then is propounded: Is Mr. Roosevelt, the president of the United States, properly chargeable with the responsibility for the threatened famine in the land ? Emphatically, No. It would be a great wrong to charge the president of the United States with the responsibility for such a thing. The threatened famine and pestilence is due to a lack of rainfall, the scorching hot winds, and numerous pests. That calamity would have come just the same, regardless of who was president of the United States; and it cannot be charged to any political party. To charge it to the mistakes of men would be doing a great injustice to ourselves, as well as to others. What I have said about the reduction of crops and the destruction of animals is stated for the purpose of showing the people that such a course has not been taken under the guidance of Jehovah God, and this statement is made particularly to put in their minds the proper conception of the Most High God.

W’hat evil could possibly result by reason of the chief executive in the land claiming to have divine guidance and then not being guided divinely? Just this: Millions of people in the United States have put their trust in a man and, being induced to believe that he was being guided by the Almighty, they have eagerly subscribed to such things as the NRA, trusting therein to bring them out of their depression; and when it is demonstrated that the NRA is a failure, and that the acts performed thereunder have been attended with disaster and suffering, the people at once are inclined to lose confidence not only in man but in Jehovah God, because they believe that God has led the ruler in the way that has brought grief upon them. Such a result is the very thing that the adversary of Jehovah God would desire.—Jeremiah 17: 5, 6; Psalm 118: 8, 9.

But is it not true, as the professional religionists now claim, that God is responsible for the lack of rainfall, and that He has sent the drought and the pestilence upon the people as a punishment, and that therefore God is responsible for the threatened famine? I answer, most emphatically, NO. Jehovah the Almighty God is in no wise responsible for the present threatened famine, nor has He sent the pestilence and distress upon the peoples of the world as a punishment at this time. When Jehovah purposes to punish the people He always gives full and fair warning beforehand, that the people who trust Him may seek a place of protection and safety. (1 Kings 17:1-8; Ezekiel 3:17-21; Exodus 9:18-26) Furthermore, in some portions of North America the rainfall has been abundant and the crops are in fairly good shape, while in other parts of the land they are devastated. The people in one part of the land are no better than those in the other part, and are no worse. The rains fall upon the just and the unjust; and concerning this it is written in the Scriptures: “Your Father which is in heaven . . . maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.”— Matthew 5:45.

One of the great mistakes made by men who have attempted to rule the people and to bring prosperity to them is this: They have relied upon professional religious leaders to guide them as to spiritual things and have disregarded the Word of God. Professional religious leaders stand before the legislative bodies, and in a form of words invoke the divine blessing upon the nation; but both the speakers and the hearers of those words give no heed or consideration to divine instruction set forth in the Bible. It could not be expected that God would answer prayers of those who ignore His instruction. Political leaders are blind to God’s Word because they have not tried to understand it. Professional religious leaders are blind to God’s Word and purpose because they have relied upon human traditions and the teachings of an organization. (Matthew 15:7-9; Jeremiah 23: 18-22; Proverbs 1: 28-30) The people have been kept in ignorance of Jehovah’s purpose because they have been prevented from learning the truth of God’s Word. Now as an aid to the common people in this hour of perplexity, the warning is again sounded that the only sane and safe course to take is to disregard the theories of men and to learn and rely upon the Word of God. Since 1914 events have rapidly come to pass, which events, in the light of God’s Word, should fully convince thoughtful persons that there is a mighty change now taking place and that the only hope for the people is in the kingdom of Jehovah God, which is now at hand.—Matthew 24:3-31; Luke 21:28-33.

Who, then, is responsible for the threatened famine and for the pestilences that now are devastating the land of this country and bringing great distress and perplexity upon the people ? The Scriptural answer is that the one responsible therefor is God’s great adversary, the Deceiver, and man’s worst enemy, who is Satan the Devil. If now you will give heed I will prove this statement to the entire satisfaction of every man who really believes in divine guidance.

The Bible is an inexhaustible storehouse of knowledge, given for the instruction of everyone who desires to be guided by divine wisdom. (2 Timothy 3:16,17) That divine record contains a superabundance of testimony proving that centuries ago Satan the Devil rebelled against Jehovah God and challenged God to put on earth men who would be faithful and true to Jehovah, Satan claiming that he could induce all men to turn away from and curse God. That challenge was accepted in order to afford an opportunity to demonstrate to all creation the supremacy of God, and in order to prove in due time that Satan’s boastful challenge is entirely wrong. Therefore to Satan God said, as recorded in Exodus nine: “For this cause have I allowed thee to remain, in order to show thee my power; and in order that they [my witnesses] may proclaim my name throughout all the earth.” (Exodus 9:16, Leeser) God fixed the time limit in which Satan would be permitted, without hindrance, to prove his boastful challenge, and which time limit marks the end of Satan’s world; and that time is now here. In that long period of waiting God has permitted men to choose to either obey His Word or to follow their own devices and to fall into the snares set by Satan. That Satan the Devil is a mighty spirit creature with power to produce storms, hurricanes, floods, famines and pestilences, is abundantly proved by the Scriptures, particularly at the book of Job, and in many other places. (Job 1:12-19; Acts 27:14-44; Revelation 12:12) It was Satan who raised the storm on the sea of Galilee for the express purpose of bringing about the destruction of Jesus and His faithful associates. (Matthew 8:24) When on earth Jesus spoke a prophecy in which He declared that Satan’s time limit to rule unhindered would be marked by a world war, in which nation would rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. In fulfilment of that prophecy Satan plunged the nations of “Christendom” into the wmr of 1914. God was not responsible for that war. That war, said Jesus, would mark the beginning of great sorrows upon the peoples of earth. Everybody can testify that from 1914 to this day the sorrows upon the nations have continued to increase. Among the sorrows to befall the world Jesus, in that great prophecy, said: Tn divers places there shall be famines, pestilences and terrors; and upon earth distress of nations, with perplexity, men’s hearts failing them for fear of what they see coming upon the earth.’ (Luke 21:11,25,26, R.V.) Satan has brought such sorrows upon the world since 1918, and many nations are now afflicted thereby. Why, then, ignore these facts and the Scriptures ? and why follow the wisdom of imperfect men? Why not be diligent to ascertain the reason for these calamities, be guided by divine wisdom, and learn what course to take and what will be the result?

If you would learn the real cause for these famines and distresses take your Bible now and turn to the eleventh chapter of Revelation and there read these words, to wit: ‘We thank thee, Lord God Almighty, that thou hast taken unto thee thy great power and reigned. And the nations were angry.’ The facts mark 1914 as the date of the fulfilment of that great prophecy, when the World War began. At the same time there was a war in heaven between Christ and the Devil, resulting in the casting of the Devil down to the earth. The Lord gives specific warning to the peoples of the earth in these words: “Woe to the inhabiters of the earth, and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.” (Revelation 12:12) Here is the positive and indisputable evidence that the Devil is responsible for bringing all these woes upon the peoples of the earth at the present time.

With propriety you ask, Why should the Devil want to bring these great woes upon the people? The Scriptural answer is that for centuries Satan has been endeavoring to turn all men away from God in order to prove his own wicked challenge, and Satan would prefer to see the whole world perish rather than that any man should faithfully serve Jehovah God. He knows that his time is short till the great battle of Armageddon, which will be the decisive conflict between wickedness and righteousness; and within that short time the Devil endeavors to cause all men to curse God and die. The Devil is a subtle and wily foe, and to accomplish his purposes he resorts to all manner of fraud and deception, thereby overreaching men who have good intentions but who follow human devices and avoid divine instruction.—2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:13-15; 2 Thessalonians 2:9; Revelation 12:9.

At Proverbs 29 it is written: 'Where there is no vision, the people perish.” The absence of an understanding or vision of God’s expressed purpose lays the people open to the deceptions of Satan, and following in the blind lead of human wisdom the people come into great grief. Therefore knowledge and understanding of God’s Word is now of greatest importance. In that same chapter of Proverbs it is written: “The fear of man bringeth a snare; but whoso putteth his trust in Jehovah shall be safe.” The president, even though with the most sincere desire to aid the people, has permitted himself to be led, not by the divine Word, but, in economic matters, by the counsel of worldly philosophers, and in spiritual matters by worldly ecclesiastics. Acting upon this unsound counsel he launched the human scheme of recovery, ignoring the Scriptural reason as to why this depression is upon the world. Congressmen have feared to oppose the scheme, and hence have blindly supported it. The people put their trust in the president because they believe in his claim of divine guidance, and the people have feared to take any other course than to rely upon the NRA, and the result is that all have fallen into the snare. Whose snare? Not the snare of any man; but they have fallen into the snare of Satan the Devil, who subtly entraps men in this time of peril. The Scriptures, at 2 Timothy 3, specifically point out that this is a time of peril and mark out what shall come to pass.

If the ecclesiastics or religious leaders know what is in the divine Word, their fear has caused them to avoid telling it. Had they believed and trusted God’s Word they would have told the officials and the peoples of America, and would tell them now, that the threatened famine and the pestilence and the distress and perplexity and the terrors upon the world have not come by reason of the fault of the president, or any of his official family, nor because of the derelictions of any other political party; that they have not come upon the peoples as a punishment from God, but that they have come by reason of the fact that Satan the Devil is now attempting to turn all people away from God and drive them into destruction. These plain truths are now told as a warning and for the benefit of the people, and are certainly of the greatest public convenience and necessity at the present time.

Regardless of the honesty and good intentions of men to bring prosperity to the people by such means as the NRA, all such human schemes are doomed to certain failure. When the people are induced to believe that these human schemes of recovery have divine guidance, and when these schemes do fail, then millions of people who have heretofore thought they were Christians, and who have put their trust in men, will lose all faith in men and in God, and will say: “If God permits such calamities to come upon us and will not help us, then we do not wish to have Him for our God.” That is exactly what the Devil expects to accomplish. That fact has already been accomplished in Russia and in Germany, where infidelity holds sway.

What, then, is the hope for the people? Jehovah God, at Matthew 12, gives answer to that question in these words: “Behold my servant [Christ Jesus], whom I have chosen; my beloved, in whom my soul is well pleased: I have put my spirit upon him, and he shall show [justice] to the [nations]. . . . And in his name shall the [nations] trust.” Armageddon will mark the complete end of Satan’s rule of the world. Why should the people put their trust in Christ Jesus and His kingdom? The answer from God’s Word is this, that Armageddon will demonstrate to all creation that Jehovah is the allwise, just and loving God, and that His government for mankind, established with Christ Jesus as the invisible head thereof, will bring to pass that which righteous men have long desired. At Armageddon, which is but a short time in the future, Christ Jesus will completely rid the earth of all wickedness. Then the people will be rid of oppressors and oppression, and that will mark the end of sorrows, distress and perplexities. Wars will cease, and peace and prosperity will come to stay. Concerning this it is written in God's Word, that Christ is King and the government shall be upon His shoulder; His name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace; and of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end.— Psalm 2:6; Isaiah 9: 6, 7.

What could be of such great interest to the people as to know now these truths and to know that in the near future God’s righteous government shall take charge of the affairs of earth? Who would be attempting to keep the people in ignorance concerning that great kingdom ? Only Satan and those whom he can use. It ought to be apparent to all persons who think that those opposing the proclamation of this message from God’s Word are being used as instruments of Satan to accomplish his wicked purposes.—1 Thessalonians 2:18; Romans 6:16; Luke 11:52.

In this connection it is my duty to call your attention to the fact that within many states of America a strenuous effort is now being made to enact laws to prevent the freedom of speech and press and freedom of v’orship of Jehovah God, and this for the purpose of keeping the people in darkness concerning the great truths that they now need to know. Those wTho are thus opposing are playing exactly into the hands of the Devil whether they realize it or not. When I say these things I am not charging men with seeking to do injury to their fellow creatures, but I am stating most emphatically that the ecclesiastics, who have attempted to lead the people, are blind to the truth and, as Jesus declared, the blind are leading the blind, and the ditch awaits all who walk in that way. The time has come for the American people to arouse themselves and to insist upon an open and fair discussion and examination of the divine Word, in order that they might learn the way to true prosperity, life, liberty and happiness. Let them strenuously protest against any law that restricts the liberty of freedom of expression concerning God’s Word. The fact that some claim that their “susceptibilities are shocked” by a declaration of Bible truths is conclusive evidence that they are not in harmony with the Bible truths.

The most perilous time the world has ever known is just ahead. The tribulations that are now upon the earth are great, but Jesus declares that the final end will witness the greatest tribulation that has ever afflicted the world; and we are rapidly approaching that day of unprecedented tribulation. (Matthew 24:14,21,22; Jeremiah 25: 31-36; Joel 3: 9-16) I appeal to the common people of America to refuse longer to be led by blind guides, but to turn their attention to the Scriptures and examine these in the light of the present-day events and thereby to learn that Satan is your worst enemy and Jehovah is your everlasting Friend. Let every man who loves righteousness and hates iniquity be of sober mind, lay aside all prejudice, and with diligence study the Word of God. Therein will he learn that the only hope for the human race is the complete destruction of Satan’s organization and the complete establishment of God’s kingdom under Christ. The reign of Christ will make the earth a desirable place for men to live and will give to obedient men peace and prosperity, joy, health, strength, and life everlasting.

Whether or not ecclesiastics can continue to hide behind their skirts and to induce public officials, under the forms of law, to imprison men and women who, as witnesses of Jehovah, are telling the people the truth they so much need, or whether these public servants of the people will cast away from them the evil influence of the ecclesiastics and demand the free and open proclamation of God’s Word of truth, remains to be seen. To know the truth now is of the greatest importance to man. Therefore I appeal to the people to arm themselves, not with instruments of destruction, but with the infallible knowledge of the Word of Almighty God, that they may know the only place of protection from threatened perils, and the only way to everlasting life. God’s kingdom is your refuge now. There is none other.

Earth Gradually Growing Warmer

THE United States government made a careful study of the weather as far back as the records are available, and came to the conclusion that the general trend of the temperature is upward, and on an extensive geographical scale. Following 1880 the winters, springs and falls have become definitely warmer, and the summers cooler. Granddad’s old-fashioned winters averaged about three degrees colder than those that have prevailed since the seventies.

Radio Hearings Before the Commerce Committee

IT HAS pleased the great Jehovah God to provide further opportunities for His people to witness to the United States Congress regarding trespasses upon the radio rights and privileges of the American people, and means which may be taken to do justice and judgment in these matters. In no sense can this properly be construed as “going down to Egypt for help”. Did Moses return to Egypt to ask any aid from Pharaoh? The facts show that he went because of a direct command from Jehovah God. His going was merely an act of obedience.

Jehovah’s witnesses are not in any doubt as to where the opposition against their lawful and honorable work originates. It does not originate with the National Broadcasting Company, nor with the Columbia Broadcasting System, nor with the Roman Catholic hierarchy: it originates with Satan, the Devil, and Gog, his prime minister. But not being able to see these invisible enemies, we are often compelled in our statements to refer to these institutions of which the Devil is making, at this time, so much use.

Some of the statesmen at Washington now discern that great injustices have been done to Jehovah’s witnesses, and are not content that it should be so. Prominent among these libertylovers is Louis T. McFadden, representing all parties in the Fifteenth District of Pennsylvania. He is generally conceded in Washington to be one of the ablest, most fearless men in public life.

Our readers are familiar with his bill H.R. 7986, and with the arguments, for and against, as set forth in the 226-page government publication, “Radio Broadcasting; Hearings Before the Committee on Merchant Marine, Radio and Fisheries, House of Representatives, Seventy-third Congress, Second Session, on H.R. 7986.” Anyone may obtain this by sending 15c in money order (stamps not accepted) to Superintendent of Documents, U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., and describing the publication as above. (The original printing of this was exhausted, as stated in our last issue, but our present information is that this publication has been reprinted and can still be obtained.)

At one time recently there were four radio bills before the United States Senate and the House of Representatives. Two of these, H.R. 8301 in the House, and a corresponding bill in the Senate, are generally referred to as President Roosevelt’s Communications Bill. The bill, now made law, * transfers radio legislation from the Merchant Marine, Radio and Fisheries Committee to the Interstate and Foreign Commerce Committee, sometimes called the Rayburn Committee. It provides for taking over bodily the Federal Radio Commission; and therefore the friends and the enemies of H.R. 7986 were directly interested, and were given opportunities to restate their cases before the new committee. (Reports of these hearings are 20c each, not 25c as stated in our last issue.)

Congressman McFadden’s Statement

Statement by L. T. McFadden, May 16, 1934, to the House Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce

Mr. Chairman and Members of the Committee:

As to the provisions of my bill No. 7986, to amend the Radio Act of 1927, I am now renewing my former request presented'on the floor of the House March 1, 1934, that pending the putting into operation fully of the president’s plan as represented by the RayburnDill bill establishing a new commission of communications, consideration be given to the urgent need to include timely safeguards to prevent further encroachment of selfish interests relative to radio broadcasting.

The two bills that have been introduced at the instance of the president do not deal clearly with the question of censorship.

Much evidence has been presented in hearings held by the radio committee of the House on H.R. 7986 which shows that the two major chain broadcasting systems have a self-established censorship policy affecting politics, education and religion. In this they are wrongfully attempting to tell the people what they shall hear and what they shall not hear.

At the same time, those chain systems are carrying forward their private income-producing program without any semblance of governmental control.

By way of example, I notice that the president of the National Broadcasting Company, testifying recently before the House radio committee, stated that his company made profits during the past several years. On the other hand it has been suggested that the Federal Radio Commission might inform this committee that statements filed by that company for several years past are to the effect that the company has made no profit; that, on the contrary, it had presented its parent organization, Radio Corporation of America, every year with deficits which had to be

★ The bill, as passed, calls for further study by the Committee of the subject of radio discrimination and interference, with a proviso that recommendations shall be made to the next session of Congress. This may result in yet further opportunities for testimony by Jehovah’s witnesses. Who can say!

made up by RCA income from sources other than broadcasting.

It is well known that the National Broadcasting Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Radio Corporation of America. The Columbia Broadcasting System is practically owned and controlled by one man’s family.

Furthermore, the Columbia Broadcasting System and the National Broadcasting Company, by their officers, have undertaken to select what the American people may or may not hear with reference to what the Bible contains. They have arbitrarily limited the use of their facilities to certain religious organizations. They have unjustly discriminated and do unjustly discriminate against all others, to the detriment of and against the expressed wishes of millions of American citizens, as represented in the huge petition recently presented to Congress relative to discrimination and interference.

More evidence will be presented to this committee, as I understand, by a representative of these millions of petitioners, to show that in addition to the harmful practices of the broadcasting chain systems certain members of the Federal Radio Commission have misused their office in furthering attempts made by a leading religious organization to advance its own interests even to the forced exclusion of others.

In my humble judgment, a serious condition is indicated by the action of two and one-half million people crying out in protest to this Congress that undue discrimination and interference exist and ought to be abolished. Those broadcasting systems, by their officers, have presumed to judge and rule upon the fitness of subject matter of which they admittedly are not qualified to judge.

Additionally, there is a mass of evidence which has been accumulating during the past year, showing the outrages that have been and are being practiced against owners of broadcasting stations. As a result, stations are being deprived of legitimate income which they may derive through broadcasting worth-while programs of wide public interest.

I submit that an obligation rests upon this Congress to see that provision is made to safeguard the steady and proper development of this marvelous means of disseminating information of public interest and value. While the Government has obligations to provide for the entertainment and amusement of the people who desire such by use of radio, it has an equal, if not a greater, obligation to provide for enlightenment of that growing class of people who desire to know about weightier matters.

The glaring abuses of the broadcasting facilities clearly show the need for a remedy to restrain the selfish interests. Such a remedy is needed now. It ought to be embodied in the pending legislation to provide for adequate safeguards. H.R. 7986 furnishes a means of protection and the proper use of such facilities that the people may hear what they desire and are entitled to hear, and that station owners may conduct their legitimate business without interference.

Statement of Jehovah’s witnesses

The hearings on H.R. 8301 lasted several weeks. They were terminated abruptly on May 16, hut not without granting opportunity for Jehovah’s witnesses, appointed for the task by the president of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, to make the following statement, which will interest all.

To the Chairman and Members of the Committee on Interstate and Foreign Commerce of the House of Representatives with reference to H.R. 8301:

In the field of radio broadcasting there is urgent need for regulation. Amendment of H.R. 8301 to insure an equitable use of existing facilities is essential. The American people have a right to hear what they desire to hear without anyone’s acting as their censor or guardian. The whole public body, which more and more depends upon radio as an agency of general usefulness, expects Congressional action to eliminate the possibility of further unjust discrimination by entrenched selfish interests, and interference with the rights of individual broadcasting stations as well as the rights of listeners.

Recently extensive hearings were held by the House Committee on the Merchant Marine, Radio, and Fisheries with reference to H.R. 7986. The hearings revealed certain startling abuses in regard to broadcasting, particularly as affecting the use of broadcasting facilities by Jehovah’s witnesses.

It is publicly claimed that in that hearing an organized effort was successfully projected by a combination of powerful commercial, political and religious leaders to ‘effectively squelch’ Congressional action to safeguard the rights of the people relative to the radio and its use for the public welfare. Such organized effort, a direct affront to at least the two and one-half million persons who have protested to their representatives in Congress, justly claims the notice of the House commerce committee and other members of Congress.

The abuses brought to light in the former hearing ought to be immediately remedied by suitably amending H.R. 8301.

Briefly summarized, the following facts appear:

FEDERAL RADIO COMMISSION

While Section 29 of the Radio Act of 1927 provides no censorship, yet there IS operating in the United States an effective censorship of broadcasting. The Commission has indirectly done what it cannot do legally in a direct manner.

For example, one organization, The Watch Tower, that has sponsored programs broadcast for hire by numerous radio stations, was required to furnish the Federal Radio Commission with copy of certain of its programs, together with a list of stations hired that had broadcast the same.

More than three months after such programs had been broadcast by hundreds of stations (and after the Commission had received the aforementioned information from The Watch Tower), the Commission directed to such stations letters requesting immediate report as to whether the programs had been in fact broadcast. The manifest purpose thereof was to support a campaign of intimidation then launched and being carried on by certain religious interests.

By the Commission’s omitting to state to the stations its reason for this most unusual procedure, the effect upon the stations was intimidation. By such written communications and also oral communications by the Commission respecting the Watch Tower programs, many station managers were moved to fear loss of their license. They concluded it would be unsafe to broadcast more Watch Tower programs and have declined to broadcast until the matter should be settled.

Many stations have been deprived of legitimate income.

Millions of listeners have been deprived of programs.

According to testimony offered on March 20 before the House radio committee, the Commission’s only purpose for requesting copies of those programs, and for asking the stations to certify their action in broadcasting those programs, was that the Commission might file such information for use if, as and when application should be submitted by such stations for renewal of their license.

In reality, according to the same testimony, the Commission has taken no action, although nearly a year has passed, during which time they have renewed the licenses of those stations several times. This is persuasive evidence that the real purpose of the Commission in obtaining this evidence from the stations was to intimidate them, and was in support of the campaign being carried forward by certain religious organizations.

The Federal Radio Commission has sought to justify its official inquest relative to Watch Tower programs, which inquest has in fact resulted in cancellation by many stations of lawful contracts to broadcast those programs. The proof shows that such action by the Commission has been taken and is still being taken in furtherance of a concerted attempt to prevent the people from hearing certain programs of Bible instruction.

Within the past sixty days letters purporting to have come from the Federal Radio Commission have been received by numerous radio stations, in which letters inquiry is made as to whether specified Watch Tower programs were broadcast. The effect of such inquiry, as coming from the Commission, has been to perplex and unduly disturb the stations.

Many similar cases are cited in the record of hearings on H.R. 7986.

Statements made to me and two associates by Judge Sykes of the Federal Radio Commission and by the Commission’s acting general counsel, George Porter, show tliat Commissioner Hanley, who is biased by reason of his religious convictions, sent out letters of inquiry recently to radio stations regarding Watch Tower programs, and that Commissioner Hanley did so without the knowledge of any other member of the Commission and without the knowledge of the Commission’s acting general counsel.

We submit that any member of the Federal Radio Commission is privileged to hold religious views and practice any religion that may please him, but he has no right to use his public official power to further his own religious views, or to support the interests of any particular religious organization. A public officer is a public servant, and his public office cannot be rightfully used for a private interest.

On March 20 last, when testifying before the House radio committee, the chairman of the Radio Commission either overlooked or was not aware of the fact that Henry Caravati, an executive agent of a leading religious organization, had conferences with one of the radio commissioners relative to steps that might be taken to have the broadcasting of Rutherford programs stopped. Or else Judge Sykes proceeded on the theory that Caravati is not a clergyman, technically speaking; whereas Caravati is in FACT an official executive agent for the whole United States of that certain religious organization.

In proof of this point w*e offer in evidence photostatic copy of a chart (A), authoritatively showing the arrangement of the organization in which Caravati acts, and which also shows the position of Caravati as an executive agent whose official acts are authorized and approved by “the administrative committee” composed of seven archbishops and bishops who are answerable to the supreme head of the organization at Vatican City.

In support of my statement that there is a concerted effort by a leading religious organization in America to prevent the people from hearing programs of wide public interest, I ask to file and to make a part of the record the following:

(B)

(1) Photostatic copy of letter dated February 20, 1934, by Emanuel Sternheim, rabbi of Butte, Montana, transmitting to radio station KGIR resolutions signed by twenty-two clergymen, including ten Roman Catholic priests;

(C)

(2) Original letter dated February 28, 1934, by E. B. Craney, manager of the Butte radio station, replying to each of the signers of the resolutions;

(3) Correspondence between a member of the Watch Tower organization and George B. Porter, acting general counsel of the Radio Commission.

For information of the committee, copies of the complete text of recent speeches broadcast by Judge Rutherford, entitled “World Control” and “Flee Now”, and also the speech “Why World Powers Are Tottering”, are offered herewith for the record, so that their value to the people may be ascertained, and that the committee may determine whether the aforementioned acts of the Federal Radio Commission can be justified as serving public convenience, interest and necessity when the effect of those acts of the Commission is indirect censorship preventing millions of listeners from hearing what they desire to hear.

BOMAN CATHOLIC HIERARCHY

The leading religious organization previously referred to in this statement is the hierarchy or ruling body of the Roman Catholic church. Let it be emphasized here that the ruling group, and NOT the rank and file of the so-called lay membership of that organization, are under consideration.

On January 24, 1934, approximately two and one-half million petitions were filed with Congress by those who desire to hear the message of Jehovah God’s kingdom as expressed in the Watch Tower programs, including the speeches of Judge Rutherford.

Those petitioners protested vigorously against the unjust practices of the Catholic hierarchy’s agents in preventing radio stations from broadcasting that message.

For information of the committee, irrefutable evidence (D) on these points is ready for presentation by an associate of mine. In fairness to the millions of persons who signed the petitions, this committee is entitled to hear that evidence.

The proof already filed with the House radio committee shows that agents of the Roman Catholic hierarchy used threats and coercion expressed through various newspapers and other publications and various organized groups of their sympathizers, including the National Catholic Welfare Conference, the National Council of Catholic Men, the Knights of Columbus, and others, to force many station owners and managers to discontinue broadcasting Watch Tower programs;

That their official representative, acting by authority and with approval of several archbishops and bishops of the hierarchy, directly conferred on the subject with a member of the Federal Radio Commission, James H. Hanley, a Roman Catholic;

That thereafter for many weeks agents of the Catholic hierarchy openly led readers of their publications in all parts of the country to believe that their action in forcing stations to discontinue broadcasting Watch Tower programs was approved by and according to counsel received from the Federal Radio Commission.

Copies of such publications containing threats of boycott by agents of the Catholic hierarchy were freely used in many parts of the country to coerce owners and managers of broadcasting stations. Such action was taken to enforce pressure brought upon those stations by means of organized letter-writing and personal visits of individuals and groups acting under direction of the Roman Catholic clergy.

Evidence is offered herewith to show that the official representative of the National Council of Catholic Men, Henry Caravati, conferred with James H. Hanley, radio commissioner, regarding the manner in which the purpose of the hierarchy’s agents to have stations discontinue Watch Tower programs might be accomplished. That conference was publicly announced as having taken place in the spring of 1933. As a result of that action and the subsequent action of the Federal Radio Commission in writing officially to hundreds of radio stations regarding the speeches of Judge Rutherford, the effect upon many stations was to cause them to break their contracts and to decline to further broadcast those programs until the matter should be settled.

Opponents of H.R. 7986 have cited excerpts from speeches of Judge Rutherford as evidence that he and his associates arc “attacking” various religious organizations wrongfully. It has always been the American policy to expose error and to uncover wrongful practices in politics and religion. That policy is still pursued. Even if a statement is libelous per se, THE TRUTH is pleaded as justification and is a complete defense.

All statements made in Judge Rutherford’s lectures that have been placed in the records for Congress are true, exposing errors and falsehoods that are detrimental to the welfare of the people. The question is whether one shall be prevented from telling the truth and be castigated for telling the truth, or whether the people shall be permitted to hear the truth and then to determine for themselves whether they wish to be governed by truth or error.

As to the provisions of the proposed amendment to assign one-fourth of the time and broadcasting facilities for religious and educational purposes, we are not asking that such provision be made.

We will be content to have an equal show with others and the undisturbed opportunity to rent time on radio stations without interference from others by means of threats, coercion or otherwise. If, however, Congress enacts a law which provides for one-fourth of the time and air facilities to be assigned to religious and educational purposes, then we shall ask the privilege of building up Radio Station WBBR to twenty-five thousand watts or more, and a reasonable channel for broadcasting our message with that power, and the additional right of buying time from other stations for broadcasting, and to be treated equally and fairly with any other organization that wants to broadcast and to pay for the time and facilities for broadcasting. We are not asking something for nothing. We are willing to pay for what we get.

The probabilities are that if the bill allotting onefourth of the time to educational, religious and other like organizations is passed, the Catholic hierarchy will attempt to grab the whole thing, and they ought to be required to pay for their facilities, like other people.

CHAIN BROADCASTING SYSTEMS

The National Broadcasting Company and the Columbia Broadcasting System have a virtual monopoly of effective large-scale broadcasting in the United States. This is accomplished, first, by outright ownership of certain powerful broadcasting stations, and, secondly, by what is known as preferential time contracts with independently-owned stations. These contracts provide that whenever demanded by either chain such independently-owned stations are required to yield time to the chain. Such contracts are generally made in writing, but with the NBC this monopolistic control is effected by means of a “general understanding ’ ’ as between the respective independently-owned stations and NBC. This agreement is said by NBC to be not in writing in most cases.

For example, during the past six years The Watch Tower has been compelled to expend large sums of money for wire connections for chain broadcasting. This organization has spent over $250,000 more than it would have been necessary to spend had the facilities of the established chain systems been used by it. Additionally, use of its privately organized chain of many low-power stations at that much greater cost provided only a partial service to listeners in the same territory that could have been served adequately and satisfactorily had the established chain systems been available.

Furthermore, NBC arbitrarily refuses to accept certain programs of Bible instruction, particularly from an organization like The Watch Tower, including more than fifteen million people in the United States, although that organization is willing to pay the regular commercial rates for time used.

On its own authority, NBC has turned over the selection of so-called religious programs entirely to a committee of its own appointment. That committee is composed of one representative of each of three faiths, Catholic, Jewish, and Protestant. When objection is offered to any program of Bible instruction, that committee is the final arbiter as to what shall be used on the NBC networks.

Under the self-established policy of selection and censorship as enforced through that committee by NBC, and under a similar policy adopted and enforced by CBS officials, programs of Bible instruction of an organization such as The Watch Tower are definitely barred on both of the two major broadcasting chains and have been barred at all times except during one hour on NBC in 1927.

At the hearing before the House radio committee on H.R. 7986, Mr. Terry of that committee propounded to Mr. Aylesworth (NBC president) the following question:

What would you say, Mr. Aylesworth, if Judge Rutherford’s adherents tiled a petition here of two million four hundred and some thousand names? That is rather an indication, certainly, that a portion of the public would like to hear the judge, is it not?

In answer thereto Mr. Aylesworth said:

It may be, or may not; I do not know. I have had a great deal of experience in filing petitions and getting them signed. I would like to know what the heading was. If the heading was “Do you want to hear the Watch Tower programs?” and the people who signed knew what they are, I think that is an intelligent expression of sentiment. If you have at the top of the petition ‘ ‘ Do you believe in free religious discussion, free religious programs?” I believe everybody would sign this for fear we might take off free religious programs today.

We call attention to the fact that the petition referred to specifically set forth the desire of the people to hear THIS MESSAGE. A quotation from that petition is as follows:

The message of the true God, JEHOVAH, as expressed by Him in the prophecies of His Word (the Bible) and as now being given to the people of this nation by Judge Rutherford and others of Jehovah’s witnesses, is of interest to us. When broadcast, it is convenient for us to hear it in our homes and is necessary for our welfare. We are entitled to hear and desire to hear that message.

As to the Columbia Broadcasting System, unjust discrimination and interference by that organization is unique for an agency claiming to serve the public.

A vice-president of CBS, Henry Bellows, testified March 20,1934, before the House radio committee that substantially all CBS stock is owned and controlled by the Paley family. Like the NBC, CBS also maintains a self-established censorship, admittedly dictated by Henry Bellows.

In addition to stations owned by CBS and its subsidiaries, it controls absolutely by contract most of the time of many independently-owned stations. While its representative who testified before the House radio committee denied the existence of such control, the following excerpts from two contracts made by CBS with a certain station are offered as evidence that such absolute control in fact exists:

Agreement entered into by and between Columbia Broadcasting System, Inc., a corporation organized under the laws of the State of New York (hereinafter called “Columbia”) and . . .

... It is agreed, that during the term of this contract, the Station will not permit the use of its facilities by any other broadcasting chain or network; and that it will not receive programs from or forward programs to any other station, group of stations, chain or network without the specific consent in writing of Columbia.

... It is agreed that during the term of this contract the Station will not, without the specific consent in writing of Columbia, permit the use of its facilities by any other broadcasting chain or network; that without such consent it will not receive programs from or forward programs to any other station, group of stations, chain or network; and that without such consent it will not, directly or indirectly, through an agency, representative or otherwise, sell its facilities for use along with the facilities of any other station or stations as a group.

For consideration of the chairman of the committee, it is respectfully suggested that CBS be required to file for information of the committee a copy of its contract with stations.

A typical instance of the exercise of this absolute control by CBS over independently-owned broadcasting stations is cited. A Watch Tower program of wide public interest, featuring the speech of Judge Rutherford scheduled to be broadcast throughout the world on March 25 last, was offered to the chief officer of station WCAU (Philadelphia), and to each of several other stations. Those officials expressed willingness to broadcast that program, provided arrangements could be made to have previously scheduled programs of CBS network suspended. Consent of the sponsors of those other programs was freely given. Additionally, on suggestion offered by CBS, The Watch Tower offered to reimburse CBS for loss sustained by CBS through suspension of the previously scheduled programs for that one date. Finally, without stating any reason other than that “CBS does not consider the Watch Tower program of national interest or importance’’, CBS arbitrarily interfered and refused to allow the independently-owned stations mentioned to broadcast the Watch Tower program, at the last day; and this even after members of Congress had been invited to listen to one of those stations. Affidavits in proof are offered herewith for the record.

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