New-York tribune., 1922-03-29
Pastor, Official
OF Golden Rule
Alliance, Held
Arres, Is Part of Crusade
Against Solicitation for
Charity Without Permit
of Bureau of Welfare
"Mite Boxes Are Cause
Minister Denies Violation
of Law: Case Adjourned
by Request Until April 5

The Golden Rule Alliance of Amer
ica, Inc, charitable organization con-
ducting operations throughout the
United States, became involved yester-
day in the Public Welfare Bureaus
cleanup of unauthorized charities
when Edwin c. Holman. a Presbyt
minister and treasurer of the alliance,
was arraigned in Washington Heights
court. The official was CHARGED with
administering the collection of funds
in violation of the newly enacted
ordinance to regulate the solicitation
of contributions in public. A score of
arrests and half as many convictions
under this ordinance have h6cn made
in the last few weeks through the ac
tivities Of Commissioner Bird s. Coler
Of the Bureau of Public Welfare.
Holman, who is siXty-one years old
and was an active Presbyterian min
ister until he assumed charge of the
charitable organization. with headquar-
ters at rs Fifth Avenue, caused mite
boxes to be placed on upper Broadway
/ in the 1Slst Street section after being
denied permit in behalf of the alli-
ancc last December. Between 300 and
500 Of these boxes were distributed
here alone. according to the charges,
from which thousands Of dollars is
SAID TO have been collected.
Permit Is Denied
The application for permission to
take subscri iptions, Commissioner Coler
said was refused following an investi
CATION by his department. Albert Sal
mon, an inspector, told Magistrate Ryt-
tenberg that the organization had col
lected $5084.96 from mite boxes, dues
of the organization and other cash con-
trbutions during 1921, while $2,Sl3.68
went for salaries and other expenses,
leaving S2,110.5O designated as cash
and merchandise distributed for benev-
olence and charity, and $3.50 to apply
TO building fund to be used to erect
home for the blind, which is the stated
purpose of the fund.
in court by DR.. Samuel Buchler, Dep
uty Commissioner of Markets, asked
for adjournment until April 5. This
was granted.
According to the records in the pos
session Of Commissioner Coler, the
Golden Rule Alliance was investigated
in 1913 by Assistant District Attorney
Kilroe, who recommended that it's ac-
tvities be made to cease. He declared
al that time that nearly 100000 had
been collected, of which less than
$4,000 could be accounted for as avail
able for charitable purposes. Mr.. Xii
roc reported that no attempt had been
made to select site or establish a
home for the blind.
Holman Denies Violation
In reply to the charges, Mr.. Holman
denied there had been any violation Of
the ordinances or that the bulk of the
money taken in by the alliance was
! paid for salary expenses.
"The Golden Rule Alliance Of Ameri-
ca is incorporated under the laws Of
! the United States with special powers
to engage in any charitable or philan-
thropic work" said Mr.. Holman. Frances
J. Crosby, the blind hymn writer,
was the founder and first president of
the society. None of its officers or
directors draws salaries or receives re
Enumeration Of any kind. No applica-
tions for relief. unless fraudulent, have
/ been refused by the society. 1t is
| especially interested in the relief of
/ the conditions Of the blind"
Mr. Holman declared also that he
was not informed until last Thursday
! that collections by means of mite boxes
in restaurants and grocery stores came
within the ruling of the new ordinance
which the Mayor signed December s
last.
81 have learned that other charitable
organizations intend to test the legality
of this phase Of the law Mr. Holman
said, "and we arc perfectly willing to
withdraw our collection boxes until the
outcome is settled"