Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-11-18

PLAINLY FRAUDULENT
SAYS AcTIkG ASSISTANT ATToR-
NEY Observation-Disclosures.
Question of Efficacy Of Healing or
Christian Science Was Not Con-
sidered at All.

The opinion Of the Supreme Court In the
case OF the American School of Magnetic
Healing ct 81. VS.. j. M. McAnulty, seems to
be Of considerable Importance in defining
the status Of fraud orders as issued by
the Postmaster General, although I have
not as yet seen the opinion handed down
by Mr. Justice Peckham,' said Acting AS
sistant Attorney General Christiancy Of the
Post Office Department today when ap-
preached by Star reporter.
But. Mr.. Christiancy continued, "the
impression which seems general in the
morning press. that, in the consideration of
this case, the efficacy of either mental or
magnetic healing. or Christian science, was
brought IN question by the department Is
erroneous. The Post Office Department
would not undertake or attempt to pass
upon the merits of any Of these methods OF
heailng disease any more than it would
assume to say which of the various schools
or medicine is to be preferred over other
schools, or that the theory advanced by
any sfch school is false and misleading.
the fraud order in question was issued on
entirely different grounds.
Did Not Enter the Case
while by law the Postmaster General is
granted authority to issue fraud orders on
evidence satisfactory to himself that per-
son or concern is operating through the
mails scheme devised for obtaining money
under false and fraudulent pretenses, the
duty Of reviewing the evidence submitted
IN the individual cases is assigned to the
nead Qf TINS office, and the records of this
ONCE show conclusiyely that the question
OF whether or not Christian science or
mental science principles are proper did
not enter the case.
Here is memorandum Of the facts pre-
sented to the Postmaster General, with the
recommendation of this office for the issu-
ance of fraud ORDER" and he presented
The Star representative a four-page type
written memorandum.
rms memorandum shows that the Ameri-
can School OF Magnetic Healing, 8. A. Welt
mer, president; ]. H. Kelly, secretary, and
). IL. Kelly, all Of Nevada, Mo, had been
formally advised to show cause why a
fraud order should not be issued against
them, and that they appeared with their
attorneys before Harrison j. Barrett then
acting assistant attorney general for the
Post Office Department, May 10. II and y,
1900. Inspectors reports and other evil
dence were produced by the government and
oral evidence and affidavits were presented
by the defendants Summing up the case,
this memorandum states:
Absent Treatment.
Under the name Of the American School
of Magnetic Healing, numerous advertise
ments were inserted in papers throughout
relieve poverty. upon the payment of certain
fees, no matter what, the distance between
the patient and theH healer, by means of
what Is termed absent treatment. 1t
seems that Professor Weltmer had evolved
certain theories that thought dominates the
body, and that If an agreement were formed
between two minds, the one becoming pas
sive to the other, and suggestion along
the line Of the cure to be effected or the
object to be accomplished Is given by the
va Ind md or trI = H.,
the thought of the passive will put into op-
Grafton certain forces which will eradicate
disease from the body, or accomplish the
object sought.
Then the memorandum continues:
The question before the department. in
the investigation Of the complaints of va
rious parties, was not as to the truth or
soundness of this doctrine, but as to
whether or not the mails were being used
under the names mentioned for obtaining
money by means OF false and fraudulent
pretenses, representations and promises by
practicing this absent treatment.
Fees Amounted to 1850 a Day.
''Going further into the case we find"
said Mr.. Cristiancy, that the principal in
ducement made in all the advertisements
and circulars was that, for the sum of So
per month, Prof. ,Weltmer would assume
the duties Of the positive mind and devote
fifteen minutes per day to special thought
1oI the pdtleut IeIiiitliiS lllfl Inc Zee, winch
was then explained under the theory de-
nominated 'Weltmerism,' to effect a cure.
But it appeared that the income in fees
amounted to about $500 per day, which
made 1t an utter impossibility for Mr.. Welt
mer to devote fifteen minutes special
thought to each person, and, either in de-
spair Of carrying out his promise, or for
some other reason, Prof Weltmer took
himself to Manttou Springs for long vaca-
lions, and during other periods of time was
lecturing throughout the country, paving no
attention to his absent trea tment business
but was depending entirely upon eighty
typewriters and the business manager, none
of whom made any professions of ability to
take his place, to receive and bank the
money and to send encouraging letters to
patients. which were designed to have the
patient continue the treatment and remit
further fees.
Weltmer Never Saw the Letters,
1T was shown at the hearing that Prof.
Weltmer never saw the letters from his
many patients, or made any effort to see
them, or to know their names or to do his
part in carrying out the theory advanced by
him, and for which his patients were pay
ing fraud order was therefore recon-
mended which Recommendation was con-
Cured in by the Postmaster General and
the same was issued.
It seems that the parties in this case were
indicted for using the mails to defraud, and
that Prof Weltmer pleaded guilty to the
charge at Kansas City, Mo-, April %, 1901,
and was fined $500.