Consolation, April 19, 1939

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Contents

Goyaz, One of Earth's Treasure-Houses 3

The Fruits of Paradise 4

Trees That Manufacture Cloth 5

Milk Problems in Brazil 10

U. S. A. Judiciary 11

The New Government 12

Brief History of WBBR 12

A Happy Family 14

The Keystone State 15

Italy 16

Counsel by J. F. Rutherford 17

Misguided 17

Motoring 19

Under the Totalitarian Flag 20

Took Just One Week 20

"He Died That Same Day" 21

Protecting the Racketeers 21

Palestine 23

Is Naturopathy a Crime? 24

International Murderers 25

New York's Temple of Religion 26

British Comment 28

Political Chessboard 28

Roman Catholicism and Fascism 28

Freethinkers—Religious Section 28

"Gentleman" Franco 29

Praying for Peace 30

Aviation 31

Published every other Wednesday by

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Appetizers

An Eye to the Future

Young Douglas had reached the age of 7 when he was promoted to the dignity of having a room to himself. His fond parents had furnished it with great care and showed it to him with no little pride and satisfaction.

Douglas viewed it in silence.

"Now, son," said his father, "this furniture is of the best. It will last you a lifetime."

Still Douglas kept silent.

"Don't you like it, Douglas?"

"Oh, yes, I like it. But how do I know my wife will like it?"

Not Guilty!

A big steward stood at the gangway of a big liner, and kept shouting:

"First class to the right; second class to the left."

A young woman stepped daintily aboard with a baby in her arms. As she hesitated before the steward, he bent over her and said, in his chivalrous way:

"First or second?"

"Oh!" said the girl, her face as red as a rose. "Oh, dear, neither—I'm only the nurse." —Labor.

O Timothy! Timothy!

Sir George said yesterday: "I hope to light such a candle as will nip in the bud such a tyrannical attempt to gnaw at the impregnable foundations of our Empire's lifeblood. Every Englishman worthy of the name will rise to defend 'the ladies, God bless them', and strike a blow for these brave little women as will unmask the hidden hand of the Australian hydra which is blighting sweet Imperial womanhood with its iron foot."—Timothy Shy, in the London News Chronicle.

Regular Nuisance

The small girl met the doctor near her home.

"You brought a little baby next door, didn't you?" she inquired.

"Yes," he answered: "Shall I bring one to your house?"

"No, thanks," came the prompt reply. "Why, we've scarcely time even to wash the dog." —Labor.

CONSOLATION

"And in His name shall the nations hope."—Matthew 12:21, A. R. V.

Volume XX Brooklyn, N. Y., Wednesday, April 19, 1939 Number 511

Goyaz, One of Earth's Treasure-Houses

GOYAZ is the central state of Brazil, being the seventh in area among the twenty-one states of the republic. It is about three times as long as it is wide, running lengthwise north to south. Its area is 288,536 square miles, and the population is estimated at about 1,000,000, which gives a density of a little more than three inhabitants to the square mile.

The altitude varies from 300 to 1,700 meters above sea level; the climate also varies from chilly in the elevated sections to hot and sultry in the low places near the rivers. The central high plateau forms the principal water divide of Brazil, where several of the largest rivers have their sources, amidst beautiful wild scenery. Some running east are tributaries of the Rio S. Francisco, which empties into the Atlantic at Penedo; some run south into the Rio Paranahyba, which empties into the Paraná; others run west and north into the Araguaya and the Tocantins, which empty into the Amazon. Some geologists think that the high plateau of Goyaz was the first dry land that appeared after the great Flood.

Agricultural Possibilities

Goyaz being high and dry, the climate is very pleasant and in general healthful, except along the large water courses, which are malarious during several months of the year, directly after the rainy season and the overflows. But by being careful and taking certain precautions, one can avoid the malarial fevers.

The southern portion of this state is composed mainly of vast rolling and level hills, covered with several varieties of coarse native grasses and, in some places, low, scrubby trees, forming thickets; in others, open pasture lands, or "campos", as they are called in Brazil. Following the main streams there is generally a narrow or wide border of dense forest, where the land is very fertile and productive; and here the majority of the people live and raise their crops.

Farming is still carried on in a primitive manner. The underbrush and vines are cut with a blade about two inches wide and seven or eight in length, with a curved point, fixed to a handle four feet long; then the large trees are felled with the ax. This is done in the dry season. After two or three months the field is set on fire and all this mass of leaves, branches, creepers, etc., is burned, leaving a thick layer of ashes, and only the large trunks remaining; but these either rot, in a few years, or are reduced to ashes by succeeding fires.

The day after the "conflagration" the farmer begins planting his field. With the corner of the hoe he digs a shallow hole, into which a few grains of corn, rice or beans are dropped, and covers them with his foot. Generally one hoeing out is sufficient to keep down the sprouts and weeds until harvest.

Primitive Methods Still Used

In spite of the demonstration stations, maintained by the Federal Department of Agriculture, free advice and valuable assistance given, even to loaning modern agricultural implements, very few farmers in this state have availed themselves of this help. So the majority of the crops, consisting of rice, corn, coffee, sugar cane, beans, cotton, potatoes, wheat, mandioca (manihot), are still cultivated in this primitive style.

Strange to say, only a small portion of these products are shipped out of the state, due to high freight rates and lack of transportation facilities. Indeed this is the greatest hindrance to the development of the vast natural resources of this wonderful rich state of Brazil. Mandioca or maniva is the poor man's food supply in this country, as it grows on any kind of land.

The native squatter plants a small plot of ground near his dwelling, by burying short pieces of mandioca branches, and in six months he can dig out as many roots as are required for his daily consumption. If roasted in hot ashes the tubers take the place of bread; boiled with a piece of meat or fish mandioca is very palatable and nutritious. It is mostly made into flour or "farinha", by peeling and grating the roots, then thoroughly drying while stirring in wide shallow pans over a mild fire of coals. This farinha can be prepared in many ways for the table. The stalks and roots may be left growing in the field for several years; the older, the larger they grow; some have been measured seven feet in length and have weighed 45 pounds.

The Fruits of Paradise

In the poorly-kept orchards on the farms or in the back yards of the villages are found all the tropical fruits: oranges, limes, lemons, mangoes, mamão or papaya, bananas, peaches, figs, mulberries, quinces, abacates (avocados) or alligator pears, and grapes which bear two crops a year in this state. Among the native and wild fruits must be mentioned guavas, jaboticabas, mangabas, cajús, maracujás, jacas, genipapos and many others. In some localities European fruits can be grown also. In the northern section of the state watermelons can be grown all the year round.

The mangabeira, besides producing a very sweet-smelling and tasty fruit, gives latex which makes a good quality of rubber. In one district there are many miles covered only with wild guava trees, which produce enormous quantities, but all goes to waste. In another region one can travel for leagues through thickets of cajú trees. Every year vast quantities of this useful fruit ripen, fall on the ground, and rot.

Around Santa Luzia, 15 leagues from the railroad, quinces grow profusely, and the production of "marmelada", or quince preserves, has become an industry there, and the product is sold in all the towns. On an elevated table land large quantities of arnica plant can be gathered, where it grows wild. In some places in the forest vanilla or baunilha grows and produces abundantly, but no one gathers it, although it brings a good price.

On the slopes of the Andes

Mineral Treasures

No doubt Goyaz is one of the richest regions in this country in minerals. Here have been found rich deposits of iron, rutilo, nickel, gold, diamonds, mica, kaolin, slate, graphite, ocher of all colors, fine clay for brick, tile and china ware, silver, crystal, etc.

The crystals from Goyaz have been pronounced of the finest grade in the world, due to not having the least trace of iron. The nickel mine near S. José do Tocantins extends over a large tract of land, and is second only to the famous Caledonia mine in quantity and percentage. Lately another large mine of the same ore has been discovered near the old capital, Goyaz.

Near Trinidade, for many miles the stagnant water is covered with a film of oil smelling strongly of petroleum, showing evidence of a rich oil supply near the surface, awaiting to be tapped. Unfortunately only small amounts of these minerals are being mined and exported at present.

Washing Out Gold by Hand

Gold is washed out in a primitive way. The gold-bearing gravel is taken from the bottom of the rivers, or formations near a stream, and washed in a wooden basin by a circular motion, repeatedly pouring out the dirty water with the debris, letting in clean water by dipping the "batêa" or basin in the stream, until only the small flakes of gold are left with the heaviest material.

To accomplish this feat advantageously, the gold-seeker must stand in the stream. Yet in this primitive manner is obtained from 15$000 to 20$000 worth of gold per day, equal to about one U. S. A. dollar. When the "garimpeiro" has consumed the amount of food and "cachaça" (gin) he can purchase with that amount, then only will he go back to seek for more. The same process is employed to secure diamonds.

It is claimed that during the time of slavery in Brazil many troops of pack mules were sent off loaded with gold from Goyaz. One of the main centers of production was around the old capital. They say that even now after a heavy rain small nuggets are picked up by schoolboys from the gutters in the streets of the old city.

At another ancient town, Crixá, 40 leagues beyond, there is a rich gold mine, now abandoned because of the distance and lack of transportation. They say that in the steeple of the old church at Crixá there is a bell, about one meter high and nearly a meter wide at the mouth, made of gold and silver taken from the mines and cast there about a century ago.

After freedom was given to the slaves in Brazil, in 1888, most of the gold mining was abandoned in this as well as in other sections of the country. Yet at present there are many people engaged in making their living by washing out gold and diamonds by hand in several places in Goyaz and Matto Grosso. The larger number of "garimpeiros" collect wherever the turnout is best. At one place over 5,000 are at work.

Goyaz, one of earth's treasure-houses

The future home of uncounted millions; high, healthful, well-watered, fertile, productive, a land of all manner of fruits, a land of gold, diamonds, silver, fine clays, forests, fibers, great rivers and indescribably beautiful scenery, but cursed by religion.

Trees That Manufacture Cloth

In the forests are found a great variety of medicinal herbs, beautiful orchids, valuable timbers and curious plants. The bark of one kind of trees can be stripped off in thin layers from one to two feet wide and as long as required; after drying it becomes dark brown, very strong, and a good imitation of thick cloth. Where these trees grow the Indians sew two or three strips together, which they use for blankets.

There are many kinds of hollow canes or bamboo, of which the Indians and natives make many useful articles, such as baskets, mats, sieves, etc.

Where the roads are not suitable for oxcarts, or the people are too poor to possess them, all transportation is done on pack mules, the goods and farm produce being carried in large, strong baskets made of bamboo, one hung to each side of the pack saddle.

The palm family is well represented in this state, as here many varieties grow promiscuously, some of them very valuable. From the leaves of one small palm, the "tucum", is taken a fiber much stronger than linen, of which the Indians make their fish lines, nets, etc. The graceful "burity" in great numbers lends a distinctive mark to the landscape, with its large, fan-shaped leaves growing along the banks of the streams and swampy lands. It bears several bunches a year of dark brown, varnished nuts, about the size and shape of an egg. Between the outer shell and the kernel there is a soft white mass, which can be made into a tasty and nutritious sweetmeat. Some of these bunches weigh 120 pounds. From the young leaves, torn in strips, strong cords and hammocks are made.

It would require a volume to describe all the different kinds of palms growing wild here, but before passing on special mention should be made of the "Babuassú" palm, the most important of all. These are encountered in untold numbers, literally covering vast tracts of land, in this as well as in other northern states. It grows everywhere, bears graceful leaves, some measuring 10 feet wide and 25 feet long. There are from 200 to 300 cocos in each cluster, from two to six clusters on a tree. From the kernels the natives prepare oil for seasoning food and for their lamps.

A few years ago it was discovered that babuassú oil is a most important industrial product, splendid for lubricating purposes, and a good basis for soap manufacture; it provides a vegetable butter considered better than that from cows' milk; it gives a combustible oil of first quality for internal-combustion motors; it is superior to kerosene oil; the shells produce more calories than mineral oil, therefore making an excellent combustible for railway locomotives. If there were navigation facilities available, unlimited quantities of this valuable product of nature could be easily shipped down the Araguaya and Tocantins rivers to the port of Belém on the Amazon and from there exported to foreign markets where there is a growing demand for it, thereby bringing in large capital, so much required for developing other natural resources.

An Unexplored Utopia

The watershed draining towards the north, composing the largest portion of the state, is covered with virgin forests and rough grazing lands, where droves of wild deer and ostriches roam at will, most of it unexplored. The land is very fertile and productive, and only a few scattered dwellers are found, along the large streams, who subsist mainly by hunting and fishing. Very little is known of the valuable resources to be found in this vast wilderness, lying as nature left it. A few tribes of wild Indians are found still wandering over this territory.

Waterfalls are plentiful. The most important are found on the Paranahyba river, which marks the boundary between the state of Minas Geraes and Goyaz. The beautiful "Cachoeira Dourada", or Golden Cataract, deserves special notice, being estimated to produce electric current equal to 400,000 horsepower. There are many others of smaller capacity. Most of the principal towns have electric lights and power.

It is almost impossible to describe the beautiful scenery on the Araguaya river, which divides Goyaz from Matto Grosso. Long stretches of wide, white, sandy beaches, where great numbers of waterfowl of many kinds and of gorgeous colors collect in search of food. Both margins of the stream, which is from a quarter to a half mile wide, present a dense wall of dark green, the outline of which is so clearly reflected by the sunlight or moonlight, in the gently flowing waters, while droves of parrots of different sizes and bright hues fly overhead, keeping up an incessant chatter, from the small green parakeet to the large blue-black and yellow-breasted macaws, or "araras", as they are called. Then come the big "tocanos" (toucans), with yellow and red bills, eight inches in length, wearing a black coat with bright red vest; also lovely white cranes, storks, ducks and kingfishers. But lack of space will not permit a description of all the species of birds and game found in this wonderful region.

This river is also famous for the quantity and variety of fish that come up every year during the overflows to spawn. Then as the waters go down tons of fish are caught in the depressions, where they soon die and decay as the water dries away. Here many wild animals and birds of prey collect to gorge themselves. The largest fish found in this river is the "Pirarucú", sometimes weighing 150 pounds. When salted and dried the flesh is more nutritious than codfish. What fine prospects for the establishment of a cannery!

Earth's Largest Inland Island

Many go to the Araguaya to appreciate the fine and novel scenery. At one place the river divides into two branches: the smaller, flowing to the east, is called "Braço Menor", and the larger, to the west, "Braço Maior"; they meet again at the lower end of an island 300 kilometers [186 miles] long by 50 to 60 kilometers [31 to 37 miles] in width. It is considered the largest inland island in the world. It is covered with forests and fine grazing fields for raising cattle, and is inhabited by two tribes of tame Indians, the Carajás and the Javahés, who subsist on what they can find in the woods and the river.

A Catholic mission post was opened there some years ago to attempt to catechize them. A Protestant missionary also opened a branch there and started teaching the Indians and Brazilian settlers, but the Catholic bishop, hearing of his activities, and having a strong pull with the state government, succeeded in having the American missionary expelled and prohibited from returning to the island during five years.

So in spite of separation of church and state since the advent of the republican government in Brazil, which guarantees equal freedom to all creeds, we find the Catholic organization still holding sway and having their own way in most cases.

This interesting island called “Ilha do Bananal” is considered one of the richest mineral regions in this state, especially in gold and diamonds. Malarial fevers and other tropical diseases during six months of the year are the principal drawbacks that hinder the development of the hidden treasures of this region.

There are many curious and interesting insects encountered here, which cannot be described for lack of space, but, before going on, notice should be given to bees, of which there are many wild species. They produce honey, making their nests in hollow trees. Although the “Apis Melifera”, tame or European bees, are very seldom raised by the inhabitants, they are met with everywhere, making their hives and storing away large stocks of honey in hollow trees, also under the ledges of rock or in the caves on the sides of banks and cliffs, where the honeycombs reach from the roof to the floor. From one of these caves full of bees, 18 tins holding 20 liters [about 5 1/4 gallons] each were taken at one time full of honey.

A Progressive Interventor

Before November, 1937, the governors of the several states in Brazil were called presidents; since then they are called Federal Interventors. In 1932 the present “interventor”, Dr. Pedro Ludovico, decided to transfer the capital of this state from the old city of Goyaz, which is badly situated and a great distance from the railway, to a more central and accessible point.

After examining several places, finally preference was given to a nice tract of open land with a gradual slope, only 12 leagues from the present terminus of the railroad, surrounded by forests. The new capital was named Goyania. Here work soon began according to carefully drawn plans, opening wide streets and avenues, leading off from a central circular plaza, like spokes from the hub of a wheel. Around this plaza were constructed the principal public buildings, both state and federal, while the surrounding plots were sold to private individuals, who are rapidly building their modern-style bungalows for residence or for rent, besides many stores and shops. So there is much work, trading and traffic going on, and newcomers are arriving every day. What was only a grass-covered field a few years ago has now been transformed into a thriving center of activity, and it is anticipated that this infant city will soon become one of the most important in the interior of Brazil.

All this has been accomplished due to the courage and tenacity of one man, Dr. Pedro Ludovico, who had to overcome many difficulties and fight against much opposition. There are still some hard heads who insist and hope that the capital will be moved back to the old city, which is gradually losing its importance, and many houses are being vacated. The great effort and success of this enterprise is considered one of the most important achievements in this country.

On an elevated plateau, where the principal rivers have their sources, 1,600 meters above sea level, a section many miles square has been surveyed and reserved by the Federal government, where, to this high, healthful spot, it is expected to move, in some future time, the capital of the republic from Rio de Janeiro.

Motor Roads, but Few Railroads

Nearly all the towns and cities in this state are connected by motorcar roads, but most of them are in bad condition, requiring repairs. Still a great amount of traffic is carried on by truck and motorcars, in spite of the high price of gasoline, which is sold at about ten times the price at which it is delivered in Santos. The old solid, wooden wheel oxcarts, with fixed axle, loudly screeching, drawn by from three to seven yoke of oxen, are slowly giving way to modern and more rapid means of transport.

There is only one railroad in Goyaz, which reached Anapolis, the present terminus, three years ago, about 300 kilometers from the boundary with Minas Geraes. This railroad (Estrada de Ferro Goyaz) starts from Araguary, the terminus of the Mogyana Railroad. Due to being the stopping point of the railway, Annapolis is growing rapidly and is one of the busiest towns, as here a large amount of commerce is carried on with other districts, and many traders, agents and tourists are constantly passing by. From S. Paulo to Annapolis takes two days' travel by train.

Besides this, there is another means of reaching the interior of Goyaz, by taking passage at Belém on the Amazon on one of the small steamers that make irregular trips up the Araguaya river to Leopoldina, the last port of navigation on that river; but this latter route is very seldom used, due to the time required for the trip.

Llama enjoying himself in the Andes

The Religious Racket

In Goyaz, as in other places in Brazil where the Catholic priests hold sway, there are several localities where yearly festivals are held, dedicated to some of the many "saints" of their own invention. According to the fame and material resources, a larger or smaller structure is built, erroneously called a "church", where all the images, candles, crucifixes and other gewgaws are kept.

To make the business pay well, pilgrims must be attracted; so the rumor is spread relating the great healing powers attributed to that special "saint" whose name is given to the church and town. Wonderful stories are told of persons arriving there in the last stages of some dangerous or incurable disease and being suddenly cured by repeating a prayer before the image or by using some "Agua Benta", that is, water "blessed" by the Catholic priest. So the fame spreads far and wide.

Before a certain day set for the opening of festivities, which sometimes last from eight to fifteen days, people begin to arrive from every direction, some taking more than a month to make the trip. They come on foot, and on horseback, but most of them travel in oxcarts, covered with dried raw hides, like the old-time covered wagons used en route to the California gold fields before the railroads were built. Some come in simple faith to fulfill a promise made to one of the “saints” during the year; others, for curiosity; but most of them come to make money by trading and gambling.

Temporary sheds covered with palm leaves and tents are set up all round the “church”; among these gambling stands are in evidence, as all kinds of betting is allowed. The people require food; so some fix up stands to sell coffee, bread, sandwiches, hot-dogs, rum, etc. Temporary barber shops are plentiful; trinkets, toys, cosmetics and articles of wear of every description are spread on tables or on the ground, all trying to make the best of the opportunity to make their racket pay the most.

Fresh milk—and how

The Biggest Rake-Off

But the main racket is in the hands of the priests, who make themselves conspicuous, moving among the crowds, dressed in black gowns, red socks and queer three-cornered hats, ever ready and waiting to receive the presents of every description and sums of money offered to the “saint”, from poor and rich.

So between the pickpockets, gamblers, and the priests, the poor ignorant people are robbed of their hard-earned savings during the year; but the pope’s agents generally get the lion’s share of the rake-off. Naturally the main attraction of the show is the procession. Two lines of little girls take the lead, dressed in white, with wings on their shoulders to appear as angels; then come several images, each one supported on poles, carried on the shoulders of four men; next the chief priest walking with solemn stride, with his eyes fixed on a little book held in his hand; a silver crucifix hangs below his waist, suspended by a cord around his neck; a yellow canopy with gold embroidery is carried over his head, at tached to poles held by four lackies walking at his side; then come other priests with sedate faces, followed by the brass band playing an anthem in a subdued and measured tone; next come two files of men dressed in purple mother-hubbards, carrying lighted candles in their hands; then in the rear the people follow in a solid mass, all trying to keep as near as possible to the main actor in the show.

The procession follows a certain route around the church square or through the streets of the town, all looking as grave as possible. Then as the parade returns and the images begin entering the church door, the bells start ringing, dozens of sky-rockets shoot up, each one carrying three bombs which explode high in the air, and at short intervals larger bombs fixed to a frame in front of the church fall as the fire releases them and burst with a loud report equal to a cannon. As the people enter the door each one makes the sign of the cross. On the last day of the festa an auction is held, at which most of the presents offered to the "saint" are sold to the highest bidder. This is a great source of revenue for the "church".

It is strange to see the variety of articles that are offered: from a yoke of oxen down to cakes, bordered cushions and towels, etc. At one of these heathen feasts held yearly it was estimated that about 5,000 oxcarts were seen at a place called "Agua Suja", that is, Dirty Water; quite appropriate when considering the number of dirty lies taught by the crafty Catholic priests.—Vergilio Ferguson, Brazil.

Milk Problems in Brazil

◆ A picturesque feature of São Paulo life is doomed to pass away with the advance of "civilization". Already an ordinance has been passed forbidding goats as well as cows to be driven through the streets and milked at the doors of the houses. The cows have disappeared, but the patrons of goat milk raised such a clamor of protest that the ordinance has not yet been enforced so far as the goats are concerned.

Sometimes the goat herders are as sharp bargainers as the venders of other wares. In a certain home, agreement was made to furnish a half liter of milk each morning at a stipulated price per month. A pitcher with a mark indicating 1/2 liter [about a pint] was taken out every morning to be filled. For a time all went well, but after a while it was noticed that, although the pitcher came in brimming over with foam, after a few minutes the foam was gone and about half a glass of milk was lacking. Upon close observation it was noted that the goat girl held the pitcher at some distance from the goat's bag, thus giving much foam and less milk. When this had continued for a time, it was called to her attention that the milk supply was short and that there was too much foam. With a serious countenance she said: "Ah! that is because the black goat is not being milked now. She doesn't give so much foam. Please excuse."—Maud R. Yuille, Brazil.

"Yea, They May Forget, Yet Will Not I"

◆ When they rebuild the wrecked cities of southern Chile there will doubtless be, in Chillan, a statue of Guillermo Diaz. This 15-year-old boy was night watchman at the electric power station, and at the first shock he ran outdoors—as any sensible person would—and reached safety in an open plaza.

And then he perceived that the shocks were continuing; he reflected that in every house in Chillan there would be broken wires, and that if there were still electric current in those wires every home was likely to become an oven for its inhabitants. So he went back.

Walls were falling all around him; but he got in. He turned off the current—and then the power station crashed in ruins and they found his body the next day, with his hands still on the switches. It would be impertinent to attempt any comment on the fact: he was safe, but he went back.—New York Times.

German Hops for Sao Paulo

◆ The Antarctica brewery, São Paulo, Brazil, received a shipment of "hops" from Germany. A case fell over on its side, burst open, and disclosed a machine gun. Other cases were examined with similar result, and now the Brazilian government is guarding the Antarctica brewery with Federal troops.

Disclosing the Same Design

◆ Disclosing the same design as the Pyramids of Egypt, the "Temple of the Sun", built at Pachacamac, Peru, by the pre-Incas, was an enormous pyramid, rectangular in shape, with steps on the outside leading to a platform at the top on which was erected an "Image of the Sun".

Hospitality at Lima

◆ Hospitality at Lima, Peru, was handicapped by the pro-Fascist attitude of the Peruvian government. Newspapermen had their desks broken into and contents searched by detectives. They could not go in or out of their hotel without running a gauntlet of detectives. Agents provocateurs attempted to involve them in local politics. Telephonic communication was cut by the censor, and finally it was necessary for a correspondent of the New York Times to go to another country in order to be able to send an uncensored dispatch to his own paper.

Earth's Finest Panama Hat

◆ Earth's finest panama hat weighs only six ounces, but cost $105, and required the work of an expert for a total of about 1,000 working hours. It is owned by the president of Mexico, and was made in Ecuador, whence come all the finest hats.

U. S. Judiciary

Some Juridical Items

Some juridical items to those that love American institutions are: (1) Four of the Scottsboro boys have been freed, despite the lies of the prosecutrix, Victoria Price, and the unfairness of the trial judge Callahan. (2) Chicago police prevented the showing of films of the Memorial Day massacre, and while in their care the photographer who attempted to show them received two broken ribs. (3) At Alcoa, Tennessee, eight strikers were shot and an investigation showed that seven of them were shot in the back, Chicago style. (4) It is now illegal in Weehawken, New Jersey, for anybody to call from house to house. (5) At Tallahassee, Florida, four blocks from the capitol two Negroes were taken out of the county jail without waking the jailer, were carried four miles out of town and were shot to death. It was necessary to open six doors to get at the victims in the jail. (6) No one has yet been punished for the Tampa floggings and kidnapings, and there is little reason to expect they ever will. In Florida murder is considered merely a harmless pastime. (7) In Chicago Judge Hermes was reprimanded by the Bar Association for conduct in the Schwimmer and Schlaetka cases (the latter one of Jehovah's witnesses) unworthy of a judge at a kennel show.

Welcoming the Prodigal

◆ Germany has been welcoming the prodigal home, especially if he had collected a fortune in the land of his adoption. About 2,000 were lured back from Brazil, under the impression that thereafter they would lead lives of ease and respectability. Not finding everything rosy, some wished to return to Brazil. They were allowed to take ten marks (about $2) out of the country. One gentleman from São Paulo got saucy, whereupon his fortune of $100,000 was confiscated and he was given eight months in prison to think it over.

Ecuador's Oldest Man

◆ The Office of Identification of the Republic of Ecuador finds that Garces Castro, Las Ramas, high in the Andes, was born in Balzar in the year 1808 and is therefore 130 years of age and the oldest man in the republic. He is still in vigorous health.

The Appointment of Frankfurter

◆ The appointment of Felix Frankfurter to the United States Supreme Court is generally conceded to have been an excellent one. Born in Vienna, Professor Frankfurter learned his first English in 1894, at which time he was 12 years of age. In eight years he worked his way through the City College of New York. Four years later he graduated from Harvard Law School with highest honors. He endeared himself to all honest men by opposing the judicial lynching of the two innocent men Sacco and Vanzetti, and it was he who brought the Mooney case prominently to the front back in the days of Woodrow Wilson. General Hugh Johnson described him as "the most influential single individual in the United States".

Honest Federal Judge Caffey

◆ In New York city honest Federal Judge Caffey sent to prison a contractor who paid his workmen on WPA jobs one wage and billed the government for a larger sum. Looks almost like the Millennium, doesn't it?

THE NEW GOVERNMENT

The Battle in Jamaica

◆ The former mayor of Kingston, who caused Jehovah’s witnesses to be taken into court some time ago, is not re-elected. The new mayor gave us the privilege of delivering lectures in the Race Course for three nights. Over 1,500 persons heard the lectures, and much interest was shown. There are 105 phonographs in use in the work in the island; also 7 portable transcription machines and 2 sound-cars, and, by God’s help, we expect to tan the old woman’s [Roman Hierarchy’s] hide.—P. H. Davidson, Jamaica.

Not in a Gilded Cage.

◆ In Louisiana, where police with force and arms prevented the holding of meetings to worship God, where courts take dictation from Catholic priests, and where Jehovah’s witnesses are maliciously charged with distributing Fascist literature, the Catholic Hierarchy still manifests an insane desire to establish the Roman inquisition. The annexed cut shows J. Cudunas and F. Papalexis receiving the involuntary hospitality of the police at Klotzville, Louisiana. The case is still pending, but the boys do not seem to be worried.

Who’s “We”?

Conversation in ritzy portion of Minneapolis:

“Have you received your copy of this vitally important Christian message, Cure? If not, this is your copy. The contribution cost is one cent, but, in any event, we want you to read it. If not convenient to contribute, please accept it as a gift from the Lord, and read it; will you?”

Not in a gilded cage

“Who’s ‘we’?”

“We is the Watch Tower Society, publishers of the booklet, written by Judge Rutherford.”

“Judge Rutherford! To hell with him!”

“Don’t you want the booklet?”

“No! Don’t you know Judge Rutherford is a Communist?”

“No; he is not.”

“Yes, he is, and his magazine Consolation is Communist!”

“No, it is not; I have read it.”

“So have I! Judge Rutherford is anti-everything. He is at the head of a large group of Communists. I know! We have investigated him in New York.”

“Who’s ‘we’?”

Door bangs.—Donald Kjorlien, Minnesota.

Brief History of WBBR

◆ It was on a Sunday, February 24, 1924, that WBBR sent its first scheduled radio program to a small but eager and excited metropolitan radio audience. We say “a small audience” because in those days radio was young and few were the “bugs” that expended time on this new contraption that within a decade was to revolutionize and so vitally affect the educational, social, entertainment—yes, even political and economic—structure of the world. Today—only fifteen years later—there are ten million radio sets within the hearing of WBBR and few people anymore would think of getting along without a radio in the home. Radio has assumed a dominant place in the educational and economic life of the present generation.

Of all the stations in the world, WBBR stands unique. All God-fearing and honest persons will admit that the most worth-while—in fact, the only really worth-while—cause to which any radio station can be devoted is the honoring of Jehovah God and the unselfish service of man. Present greedy and selfish world conditions serve but to emphasize this point. At a time when radio in general has become a commercial problem-child and is so generally devoted to honoring men rather than God, it is like finding a beautiful flower in a patch of ugly weeds to come across a station that honors the great God of the universe and unselfishly serves the best interests of its fellow creatures. This the Watchtower station has consistently done since its inaugural broadcast.

Jehovah's Kingdom publishers in Rio Grande do Sul, farthest southern Brazil

WBBR has established an enviable reputation for its consistently good music, but the really distinctive and most noteworthy feature of its history is the message of hope and comfort from the Scriptures, sent daily to a bewildered and heart-sick public, in the Bible lectures of Judge Rutherford.

The whole group at Rio Grande do Sul—with their little ones

KINGDOM INSTRUCTION, by this the world's foremost Bible authority, not only is a well-liked feature at WBBR, but is, in fact, the very cornerstone on which the station rests. What other radio station in the world is exclusively devoted to informing the people of God's Kingdom as the only hope of the world? How many stations on your dial ignore the commercial opportunities of radio broadcasting so that they might the better serve people of good will with information worth more than all the silver and gold? What other radio station in the world day after day deals out the life-giving truths from God's Word? Surely you will agree that WBBR occupies a position unique in radio broadcasting! And who is responsible for all this? Certainly no man. The radio belongs to God, who created it. It appears to be the Lord's good pleasure to maintain, in a world that so wantonly misuses all of His handiwork for selfish gain, one radio station which is truly devoted to His service and immovably stands for the honor of His name.

Truly then, even as many of you in your fan mail attest, WBBR is more than just "another radio station". It is part of Jehovah's publicity channel, set apart from Satan's commercial organization. God's manifest blessing on WBBR during the past fifteen years is the best commentary on the public interest, convenience and necessity so adequately served by this station.

A Happy Family

Here is a good one; too good to keep. My husband is the editor of a daily newspaper with a wide circulation. Yet he goes all over the city in the witness work and tells the people that “among all the newspapers and magazines, Consolation is the only one that IS NOT AFRAID TO PUBLISH THE TRUTH, because it carries no advertising and is not controlled by Big Business”.

All the late Informants have been strongly advocating keeping the sound equipment working. We wonder how many others are realizing the joy we are experiencing in having Judge Rutherford accompany us nearly every place we go and give warning and instruction to the people concerning Jehovah’s purposes.

We secure all the neighborhood territory on every side, and then we make a real call on our neighbors. They hear the message and nearly always get it also in printed form, and they invite us back. When we go back, it is with the phonograph and they know just what to expect. We never take time to visit friends or relatives or attend parties or other gatherings without the phonograph. If we call on someone in the hospital, we take the phonograph and let all in the ward hear the message of good cheer. We spend from five to ten hours on Sundays working with the phonograph, and Saturday afternoons and nights. We find no better time to work with the phonograph than nights; for often all the family are home and at leisure and sometimes guests are being entertained.

Let none think they must have a car to work thus with a phonograph. We have no car, and have walked as far as twelve miles on a Sunday. Each day our joy increases for the manifold privileges and blessings Jehovah bestows upon us, and, by His grace, we shall never falter or slack our hands in this grand and glorious work.

Witnessing in Saskatchewan

Motorcycle equipped for winter travel

What charm does Judge Rutherford’s voice hold for little canaries? and what terror does it strike to the hearts of “dumb dogs”? These thoughts come to mind in our experience with the phonograph. So many homes have canaries, but we do not see them as we enter, and not till Judge Rutherford’s voice begins to resound through the room telling about God’s kingdom of peace and righteousness. Then the canaries join with J. R. in a duet, almost bursting their throats with the melodious strains, and when the record is completed they are silent. Are they, we wonder, singing for joy, looking forward to the time of which J. R. is speaking: the time of their release, when they shall be free to join their feathered friends in the beauteous woodland?

As, from time to time, the dogs slink under the stove to hide, growling throughout the phonograph talk, we wonder, Is this a picture of the real dumb dogs (Isa. 56:10) who really growl when they hear the message of truth pointing to the time of their utter banishment, their FINAL EXIT,—not under the stove, but into oblivion?—Mrs. Benjamin F. Myers, Pennsylvania.

P.S. My husband had the “Safety” record on at the home of Mr. and Mrs. H. C. McElwain in this town. Baby Frances, 18-month-old, seemed entranced and stood beside the phonograph, which had been placed on a chair, listening in intently all the time. She is not able to talk much yet, but when the vast audience shouted “Aye” the little darling came in at the end with her “Aye” so loudly that it almost frightened us all. “A little child shall lead them.” Of course her parents got the Enemies book.

“The Virgins Her Companions”

◆ The word “companion” is derived from two Latin words: cum, meaning “with”, and panis, “bread.” Literally, therefore, the word means ‘one who shares bread with another’. How fitting that the people of good will who now take their stand on the side of Jehovah should be styled in the Scriptures companions of the bride of Christ! (Psalm 45:14)—James A. Williams, Lithuania.

(To be continued) The Keystone State

Benighted Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania, the Keystone State, which believes in beating and choking school children, and denying them education and even medical attention unless they perform acts of idolatry forbidden by the Scriptures, now adds to its laurels. Because a niece went blind from vaccination John Marsh served 375 days in jail rather than have his 8-year-old son Eugene vaccinated with pus of uncertain origin. Then the district attorney of his county, acting with the approval of the State Department of Justice, sought a court warrant with the intent of arresting the boy, charging him with juvenile delinquency for obeying his father, and intended to vaccinate him anyway. The same State Department of Justice should now demand amnesty for the gentlemen in charge of Holmesburg, Pennsylvania, prison who baked four prisoners to death. Also, the legislature should send a committee to Germany to ascertain the latest achievements in cussedness and meanness, and after submitting them to Cardinal Dougherty, put them into effect in the state that was once the state of William Penn—the only state in the United States where the Indians ever received a square deal. America is still behind Germany and Italy, but is coming along fine.

Another Milton

◆ The Pittsburgh Press, one of the very best newspapers in the United States, chancing to note that Hague’s new man in the United States Senate is named John Milton, forcefully calls to attention that other John Milton, who, arraigned before Parliament for publishing uncensored literature, said:

Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above all liberties! Though all the winds of doctrine were let loose to play upon the earth, so truth be in the field, we do injuriously, by licensing and prohibiting, to misdoubt her strength. Let her and falsehood grapple. Who ever knew truth put to the worse in a free and open encounter?

To England’s Milton, as much perhaps as to any one man, we owe that first amendment to our Constitution—Article I of the Bill of Rights—with its guarantees of freedom of speech, of press, of peaceable assembly.—Pittsburgh Press.

Nice Question for the Wise

◆ Patent No. 2,101,048, issued to the Textile Machine Works, Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, contains 170 pages of drawings and 146 specifications, and is the bulkiest single patent ever issued. When the machines thus patented are in operation the pressing of a single electric button will produce twenty-six full-fashioned stocking blanks at a time, with the result that a single operator will then be able to operate an entire factory. Here is a nice question for the wise. They will now rise up and explain (after they have shown what great profits will accrue to the owners of the machines) just what will be done with the thousands of expert operators in hosiery mills that will thereafter not be needed at all. If they were men it would be easy: start another war and kill them off. But they are women, and it is the women, principally, that wear the full-fashioned silk hose; and it is not so clever, after all, to kill off all your customers.

Home Owners Loan Corporation

◆ In Pennsylvania, according to the Philadelphia Record, the Home Owners Loan Corporation makes the unique boast that it gets its money at 3 percent, but charges 5 percent to home owners, with the result that of 58,000 Pennsylvanians who have been “helped” by it 7,000 have already lost their homes, 7,000 more are involved in foreclosure, and another 9,000 are so far in arrears with their payments that foreclosure is almost certain for them also. That is 40 percent of the total, and makes the H.O.L.C. look like a strong cat given the job of caring for the interests of a group of frightened mice.

Making Progress at Hickory

◆ In grammar class at Hickory, Pa., high school a boy was asked to correct the sentence, “Girls is naturally better looking than boys.” He corrected it all right, and brought down the house with the revision, “Girls is artificially better looking than boys.”

Asleep Between the Rails

◆ Asleep between the rails, an 18-month-old child, at Kittanning, Pa., had a 100-car train roar over him, giving him only a slight cut in the forehead.

Italy

Italian Diplomacy

◆ I think those members who have ever conducted diplomatic negotiations with Italians know how very well they put their case. It is the method of the corkscrew. The tip of the corkscrew is placed gently, charmingly, sweetly on the top of the cork and nothing happens. The bottle is placed in the right position—it is called "good relations" or "ending the vendetta"—and suddenly there is a twist and the cork begins to squeak.

They have a perfect system of inventing something they don't want, of clamoring for it and saying: "We will die if we don't get it," and when they get it they ask for something more. They pretend that you are menacing them or that something you want is of vital importance to them. They surrender it with a tremendous gesture and then say: "What will you give us in return?"

No vitally important political treaty has ever been signed by Italy which she has not broken. . . . —Harold Nicholson, Labor M.P., in an address in Parliament at London, of recent date.

Naples National Villa

When Hitler Visited Mussolini

◆ When Hitler visited Mussolini thousands of detectives were concentrated in Rome, Naples and Florence; each individual house along the route he would travel was examined; every garage and boarding house was required to report in detail on new arrivals; and thousands of innocent persons were put in concentration camps—all so that one of the world's banner murderers might visit another one, and together they might gloat over the apparent success of Fascism, with its consequent destruction of human liberties, and its pure bluff of nations that could twist the necks of both of them if they could treat one another with honor (which they can not), and if they set out to do it, which seems unlikely.

Something New in Colonization

◆ One has to hand it to Italy for furnishing something new in colonization. She loaded 1,800 families, containing some 20,000 individuals, in twenty ships and carried them across the Mediterranean. There the families were provided with 1,800 automobiles and taken to neat little homes, made and furnished at government expense. On arrival at their future homes the colonists were given the keys to their dwellings, as well as to their barns, and when they entered the latter they found the agricultural implements and the seeds which they need to put in their first crops. Schoolhouses and hospitals and other accouterments of civilization were all completed before a colonist arrived.

Italy Gets Poorer and Poorer

◆ Italy gets poorer and poorer. Only three-fourths as many people can afford automobiles as seven years ago. Consumption of flour, potatoes, vegetables, sugar, meat and fruit has all dropped per capita in that time by a large percentage. It is impossible to stand ten minutes in any Italian city without being importuned several times for alms. In Palermo there was an impromptu parade supposedly in honor of Fascism and all the men in the parade marched with their pockets turned inside out, to show their hatred of the cause they are compelled to profess that they love. It was a risky piece of business.

Where the Money Goes

◆ Mussolini established a new army corps in Libya at an expense of $10,000,000 and issued regulations that no more wheaten bread may be served except to invalids. The connection between the two statements is obvious.

Coal in Sardinia

◆ Italy is delighted, and properly so, with the discovery of coal in huge quantities in the island of Sardinia. Carbonia, a new city of 24,000 homes, is in process of building.

COUNSEL by J. F. Rutherford

Misguided

A WRITER in the Miami (Fla.) Herald says, in substance, that every Christian should salute the flag when requested to do so; and in support of that claim she quotes the words of the apostle, to wit: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme; or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him for the punishment of evil doers, and for the praise of them that do well.”—1 Peter 2: 13, 14.

On the surface that scripture may seem to support the claim of the Herald writer, but in truth and in fact it has no reference whatsoever to the officers that govern this world or to any earthly laws. Note now that the apostle directs his epistle to the “elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father”. His admonition is given for the benefit of the church of God, that is to say, for the guidance of those persons on earth who have devoted themselves to God and Christ and who are diligently striving to walk in the way of righteousness. The apostle Paul, addressing Christians, said: “Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. . . . Keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11: 1, 2) Peter and Paul were specifically commissioned by the Lord to make ordinances or rules for the guidance of the Christians, and in doing so they acted upon the command and commission of the great Theocrat. For that reason their epistles were written for the instruction and guidance of THE CHURCH, and such epistles were written under inspiration and the direction of the Lord. They were addressed to none other than the truly consecrated Christians.

Having this clear setting in mind, note then the words in the scripture cited first above, to wit: “Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord’s sake.” The apostles are the ones referred to in the words ‘ordinances of man’, because they promulgated such ordinances or rules for the governing of the congregations and did so at the command of the Lord. It is absolutely certain that their ordinances had nothing whatsoever to do with flag-saluting. The apostle continues, “Whether it be to the king, as supreme.” These words, “the king, as supreme,” have no reference whatsoever to earthly rulers, but apply to Jehovah God, who is the King of eternity, the Supreme One above all. “[Jehovah] is the true God, he is the living God, and an everlasting king.” (Jeremiah 10: 10) Continuing, the apostle says in the text first cited, “or unto governors, as unto them that are sent by him.” This had no reference to the governors of states or nations of earth, but to the governors of the church of God and which Christ Jesus by authority of Jehovah God has provided. Christ Jesus is the Head of THE CHURCH and is the Governor thereof, and He specifically chose the apostles to act for Him and in His name. They were the ones commissioned to promulgate the necessary rules for the guidance of the congregations on earth. Those apostles were “sent by him [Christ Jesus the Lord] for the punishment of evil doers” in the congregation “and for the praise of them that do well”. That they exercised that authority, note the account at Acts 5: 1-6. Paul, by authority from the Lord, delegated both to Timothy and to Titus to announce certain rules and to act as governors of the congregations to which they were sent. (1 Timothy 5: 20; Titus 1: 13; 2: 15) The apostles and their delegated representatives made and announced “ordinances” which were the ‘ordinances of man’, made under the Lord’s direction for the government of men who were of the congregation. This is the true meaning of the words of the apostle Peter, which apply exclusively to those men and women on earth forming congregations which are devoted to God and His kingdom.

Mark how unreasonable, yes, even ridiculous, it would appear to apply the apostle’s words to the ordinances made by school boards, city councils, legislators, or Congress. For instance, in some jurisdictions it is unlawful to have in possession or sell intoxicating liquor. That was particularly true for a number of years in the United States. In other jurisdictions bordering the United States it was entirely lawful. For instance, between Canada and the United States there is an imaginary line dividing the countries. The ordinances on the points mentioned here were exactly contrary the one to the other. Which should the Christian obey? God does not recognize any earthly divisions of land by imaginary lines. A man may have part of his possessions in the United States and part in Canada. He is in one country one day and in the other the next. As a further illustration: The dictator Hitler demands that every person must give a certain salute to him and say "Heil Hitler!" meaning, "Salvation comes from Hitler." Surely the Lord could not command everyone to obey that ordinance of a worldly man, because the same is absolutely contrary to God's Word. —Exodus 20: 1-5.

School boards make ordinances commanding every child to salute the flag and sing certain songs which attribute salvation to what the flag or song represents. The child has been told by its parents to believe in the Word of God and to obey that Word. The child says, "I cannot salute the flag, for the reason that, if I do so, I am violating the commandment of Jehovah God, because He has commanded His people not to attribute salvation to any power except Jehovah." Humans can't provide salvation themselves. It is written in the Scriptures, "Salvation belongeth unto Jehovah." (Psalm 3: 8, A.R.V.) To obey worldly ordinances contrary to God's ordinances means to lose God's favor, and, therefore, to lose everything.

In truth and in fact, compulsory flag-saluting is a scheme hatched in recent months by Satan and is a subtle means of turning men away from God and requires them to give devotion to men and is an attempt to cause God's covenant people to violate their covenant with Jehovah. One who truly loves Jehovah God will not willingly violate His covenant, and therefore one devoted to God and Christ Jesus cannot heil Hitler or any other man, cannot salute any flag and thereby attribute to such man or flag protection and salvation.

The great difficulty with such as the writer in the Miami Herald is that they are misguided. They apply the Word of God to organizations that are in opposition to God. They appear to believe that worldly governments are established and directed by Almighty God, whereas the Scriptures plainly state that Satan is the invisible god or ruler of this world. (2 Corinthians 4: 4) Men have organized governments with good intentions of having a rule for the benefit of the people, but such rulers, failing to give heed to the Word of God and going contrary to God's will by giving praise and devotion to creatures instead of the Creator, have fallen under the influence of the Devil and have been blinded to God's purpose concerning mankind. Selfish men who follow this course God has permitted to go their own way. (Romans 1: 21-24) Christians give their allegiance to Jehovah and Christ Jesus, and they obey His laws, and every law of the land that is in harmony with God's law or commandments they obey; but when an ordinance or law commands them to do what Jehovah God's law plainly forbids, then the Christian will obey God and not man. The apostles blazed the way in this regard when they stated before worldly courts: "Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye." "We ought to obey God rather than men." —Acts 4: 19; 5: 29.

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