New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1918-07-28
Deputy Attorney General
Asserts Alleged Loyalty
Bureau Was Kaiser's
Money Kept to Help
Propaganda Spread
Editor Admits Collecting
Cash After u. S. Entered
War; Used Labor as Cloak

INVITES OF Teutonlc propaganda agents
IN America, yesterday afternoon made
the charge that George Sylvester
Viereck, editor Of "Viereck's American
Weekly" had collected fund of $780,
600 from pro-Germans here after our
entrance into the war and had used
the greater part Of it for the dissem-
ination Of German propaganda.
Mr.. Becker said that Captain Charles
A. Lloyd. of the military intelligence
service, who is cooperating in the in
vestigation. had discovered conclusive
evidence that Viereck had continued
his enemy activities up to a few
months ago by the publication of books
and pamphlets designed to sway public
opinion against the war programme.
The collection was made from pro-
Germans under the guse of an organ
lzation known as the Agricultural and
Industrial Labor Relief Society. This
society was started by Viereck in the
spring of 1917. shortly after the United
States entered the war and his income
from DR.. Albert and DR.. Fuehr, the
propaganda "bagmen," was cut off.
Agents of the organization travelled
all over the country and took what
they could from Germans willing to
help the Fatherland. The donations
ranged from $500 to S..
The organization was incorporated,
and according to the authorities Vier-
eek paid his agents from 25 to 40 per
cent commissions on the collections
and supplied them with lists of those
to call on.
ITO persons who were not known to
be proGerman the agents represented
that the organization would help all
classes of laboring men, finding homes
and jobs for Them" Mr.. Baker said
ITO pro-Germans the agents were
coached to solicit money to help the
Kaiser and the Fatherland.'
these agents travelled all over the
country and obtained contributions
from farmers, workingmen and small
business men. Most of the sums were
smal1 The largest was $500. The
only thing the contributor received
was subscription to 'Viereck's Week
:. w, formerly known as The Father
land when it was financed by the Ger
man government.
Admits Getting $4,000
"We have statements from most Of
these agents. When Viereck was con-
fronted with them he admitted that he
received $4,000, which he spent pub
fishing various books and pamphlets.
He said that he never kept books and
could not account for the money The
agents records show, however, that
they turned in 100000"
Mr.. Becker explained that the agents
were supplied with identification
do W l.
picture of the collector and on the
other was printed as follows:
Identification Gard. We hereby
certify. that (name of agent inserted
here) IS a duly authorized representa-
tive of Viereck's The American Week
~ and the Agricultural and Industrial
Labor Relief"
The cards were signed by Viereck,
and some were dated as late as Janu-
airy OF this year. The agents have been
operating until about three weeks ago.
when two of them, of known German
sympathles, were arrested in a West
ern city. The other agents, fearing for
their liberty, then gave up the work.
Viereck Gives His Side
In questioning Viereck, Mr.. johnson,
assistant to Mr.. Becker, asked him
about the organization.
r.,
formed to help solve the labor prob
lem and to obtain work for the enemy
aliens and others who were in need of
assistance. The enemy alien is a men
ace to himself and to the country. and
in getting employment for him u was
helping the country"
but did you obtain work for others
who were not enemy aliens % he was
asked "'''
why, yes; we obtained work for
Englishmen, Frenchmen and, in fact.
any one in need of help" answered
Viereck.
In answer to further questions he
said that about 90 per cent OF the 5000
men he placed in work on farms and in
factories were Teutons. He said also
that after the declaration of war he
had offered his services to President
Wilson and that Secretary Tumulty had
written him very nice reply. Accord
ing to his statement, only about 100000
was collected for the organization CT
labor relief.
Viereck then explained how after tho
declaration of war he first thought dxf
going to work in a munition factors,
but had later decided that he could bet
ter aid the country by helping solve
the labor problem.
Tells of Hales Employment
He was then asked why DR.. Hale was
hired by the Germans for propaganda
work, and said:
81 think it was because of his famous
interview with the Kaiser"
"Are you sure it was not because of
the belief that he was such a good
friend of President Wilson ?" asked
Mr.. Johnson.
ooh. yes. that of course had some
thing to do with it," came the prompt
reply.
Viereck then explained that DR.. Hale
did not take any money from German
sources while he was doing work for
the American government. but added
that it was understood that Hale was
hired because of his influence besides
his ability as a writer.
The examination also brought out
the fact that Viereck had Invested
10000 marks in German war bonds and
had later sold them to purchase stock
in q Berlin elevated railroad.
One of Vierecks former secretaries
hi given the Investigators valuable
id fmation on the inside working of
his Office. She was questioned as to
whether or not Viereck knew of the
purchase of "The Mail" by Germany
through DR.. Rumely. She said:
Albert Controlled "The Mail''
81 was given to understand that the
German government through DR.. Ru-
mely bought The Evening Mall"
"HoW did you know this?" asked Mr..