Evening star., 1942-02-11
viee.Fighting Parson,
Minnesota Scourge,
Jailed for Perjury
The Rev. H. J. SoItou
Once Had Small Army
Of Private Agents
BY Wide World News.

By Wide World News.
MINNEAPOLIS, Feb. 1.-THE
path Of crusading preacher which
has led through gunfire. physical
violence and raids against vice,
gambling and liquor, now heads to-
ward the State prison.
The Minnesota Supreme Court
has just af1irmed q District Court
verdict convicting the Rev. Henry
J. Soltau, 50-year -old Methodist
minister, Of perjury in a petty
liquor case, and he is scheduled to
60 to the penitentiary Friday to
start one-year term.
This is the first interruption in a
private law enforcement career that
made him the personal nemesis Of
scores. .
Two members Of the once nu-
merous group Of private investiga-
tors who helped the minister match
strategy with the underworld laid
tho foundation for Soltau's prosecu-
ton on charges he falsely testified
that he personally bought liquor
from saloon after hours.
"Soltau" Meant "Crusader."
In recent years. the name Soltau
has meant relentless war on the
lawless. But his crusading ac-
tivities dates back almost to the
beginning of his 30-year experience
as a minister.
The former small-town pastor first
attained State wide notice as field
secretary of the Minnesota Anti
Saloon League. Then he created
the Minnesota Law Enforcement
League and organized groups in %
counties. Privately financed agents
checked on saloons and taverns
throughout the State and obtained
scores Of convictions.
Two years ago, Soltau data
prompted a grand jury-directed
series of raids on II disorderly
suited in Indictment Of three Min
neapolis police officers. One. the
morals squad head, was convicted
of neglect OF duty.
Three months later Soltau re-
ported that while he was driving his
car into . dark garage. after .
night-ife tour, he was fired on by
an assassin who missed and ned.
Fined As Disorderly.
Once. at Shakopee. small town
where the Twin City night life trade
congregates, Soltau was arrested and
fined on disorderly conduct charges
brought by q justice OF the peace
from whom Soltau was seeking raid
warrants. Two of Soltau's agents
were charged with trying to shake
down" sef-styled emissaries Of
gambling houses. One pleaded
guilty, the other was convicted.
Soltau declared they were framed.
Another private agent was ar
rested on charges Of trying to ex-
tort SIS from a small town tavern
keeper. Again Soltau charged .
"frame-up."
A year ago. 10 months after .
saloon keeper. had been convicted Of
illegal liquor sales partly on Soltau
testimony that he bought q quart Of
whisky after hours, Soltau was in
dicted for perjury.
Two Of his agents testified that
they, and not Soltau, went into the
bar and made the Illegal purchase.
Suspension Refused.
A Jury OF six men and six women
convicted the preacher Of the per-
Jury charge. The trial court later
refused to suspend the one-year
sentence.
While the case was awaiting
Supreme Court decision, Soltau con-
tinued his crusade. He directed .
midnight raid at q nearby village
and ran into great resistance. he
now contends in a lawsuit. Seeking
SIC, 900 damages, Soltau says he not
only was beaten up but that one OF
the tavernkeepers pursued his ma
chine while he sought to flee and
several times tried to ram the car
while driving 10 miles an hour.
The question OF . gubernatorial
pardon for the minister has been
raised, but there is no such provi-
sion In Minnesota law. He appar-
emily will take his turn in appeal
ing formally for action by the Par
don Board.
Soltau has promised his sup
porters that. in iail or out. he will
continue his activities.