Evening journal., 1918-05-09
PASTOR ROSSEbL'S
SUCCESSOR seized
Rutherford and Five ASSoci-
ateS Arrested on Two
Federal Indictments
TWO ARE ACCUSED
OF PART in PLOT

NEW YORK. May 9.-Joseph f. Ruth
erford. who succeeded the late Pastor
Russell as head Of the international
Bible students Association, and five
associates in the publication OF the
Watch Tower. the Bible Students
Monthly and Kingdom News were ar
rested yesterday afternoon as Ruther-
ford's home, No. i22 Columbia Heights,
Brooklyn, on Federal indictments
charging conspiracy to Obstruct and re-
strict enlistments and also alleging vio-
lalion OF the trading with thu enemy
law.
Besides Rutherford, those who were
arrested by James NJ. Power, United
states marshal. We're: William p. Van
Amburgh, 80, a orange street; Clio
vanni de Cecca. 80; A. Hugh MCMILLAN,
Al; Robert ]. Martin. 40, and Frederick
A. Robson. 33. all Of i22 Columbia
Heights. One indictment charging cou-
spiracy was found against De Cecca and
Robson, who were held in $500 bail
bY Federal Judge Garyin. The other
four are charged in a second indict-
ment with sending money TO Germany
and were held in $500 bail on each IN
dictment.
All six men were admitted TO bail
last night after the officers Of the Bible
Students Association met and trans
ferred the Bethel Home at t3 Hicks
street. Brooklyn, the property Of the
association, TO John q. Stevens. who
acted as bondsman.
Yesterdays arrests were the result of
observation by federal agents Of the
publications Of the association. Some
time ago the association advertised the
publication OF '"rhe Finished Mystery"
a posthumous work OF Pastor Russell.
Almost Immediately the Canadian gov
ernment forbade the circulation Of the
book IN Canada on the ground it was an
argument against war and tended 10
obstruct recruiting, and in fact was
nothing less than German propaganda
under a religious cloak.
feg weeks ago the United States
government took similar action.
Rutherford, who Is a lawyer, gave his
age as as. He Is a tall, heavy set, i'm
pressing looking individual, who dresses
after the manner OF a Kentucky colonel
Among his associates he Is called Dr.
rutherford, and sometime 'the Judge.
He occupies the old home OF Or. Henry
Ward Beecher and according 10 Assist
ant United states Attorney Charles
Bueohner, the association Of which he
h the head collected upward OF 100000
trom member students last year
rutherford, at the request OF the Fed
sral authorities, summoned his asso-
siates from "rhe Tabernacle as the
place at i3 Hicks street is known to his
home.
Rutherford is said TO have remarked
10 Marshal Power who was seated In
The lawyers study:
II want to tell you Marshal, that you
are sitting now on the very spot where
Abraham Lincoln sat when he appoint
ed Henry Ward Beecher the envoy Of
this country 20 Great Britain during tho
Civil War"
When the Russellites were arraigned
before Judge Garvin, Frederick w.
Sparks, counsel entered a plea OF not
guilty, with permission TO change the
plea OF enter a demurrer in a week.
lt was stated i'm Marshal Powers Of
fee that three others who are away on
lecture Sours would be arrested. Two
of those arrested returned only yes
terday from similar tours.
When the six defendants were ar
raigned, Assistant United States AttOl-
nrN hQCNuuNI AhNINhNru NIlh 1NNt.I-
ment suspected that many slackers had
Joined the association In order to gain
exemption as divinity students. and that
their fees for instruction had sone into
the general funds OF the organization.
Attorney Sparks. who IS said TO be a
member Of the association, denied that
there was any disloyaity 10 any Of the
publications, or that the organization
was medium for the spread Of Ger
man propaganda. He asserted the ar
rested men were "unswervlng IN their
allegiance to the country"
But II Their utterances were needed
we would n3t have 100000 young men
in the array now. fighting for this coun-
try and democracy" Judge Garvin re-
Ulark sd
Regarding the charge Of trading with
Nsie enemy. Attorney Sparks declared
'Jhat If there was any violation Of the
law 1t was a purely technical one. and
(had to do with the sending OF $500 TO
the associations agent in Berlin, whom,
be said, was without funds.
Mr. Rutherford has lectured IN VIII
mington frequently under the auspices
Of the international Bible Students As
vocation.