Evening star., 1942-04-15
Social Justice Barred
From Mails Under
Espionage Act
'UnserupuIous Attoek'
On War Effort Choreed
To RoyoI Oak Poper
~ the Annotated Press

Accused Of violating the Espionage
Act by making a substantial con-
tribution TO a systematic and un-
scrupulous attack upon the war ef-
fort" the national weekly. Social
Justice. today faced the possibility
of being barred from the mails per-
manently
Postmaster General Walker late
Yesterday ordered the Royal Oak
Mich postmaster to withhold the
publication from the mails until
officials here determined its malta
bility. q procedure which officials
said barred the tabloid from the
mails Immediately. A hearing was
set for April 20 on whether the
papers mailing privileges should be
revoked
The Rev. Charles E. Coughlin. who
helped to found the weekly in 1885,
but who said he no longer was It's
editor, owner or publisher, chal-
lenged Attorney General Biddle 10
summon me to Washington" TO de-
ifend 81.
Mr.. Biddle, author of the charges
against the weekly. declared In
letter TO Mr.. Walker that IL had
mirrored the enemy propaganda
war being waged against this coun-
try from abroad"
Priest Ready 10 Answer Charges.
AS early as December IS, 1898. Mr..
Biddle said, there appeared a
striking similarity" between Social
Justice themes and Axis propaganda.
In It's issue OF that date. he de-
8clared. whole portions of a speech,
made on September l3, 1885 by
Propaganda Minister Goebbels. were
published In Social Justice as an
original article with but few words
changed here and there and with no
credit.ng or other Identification OF
the source"
From the Shrine of the Little
Flower at Royal Oak. Father
Coughlin, who campaigned against
President Roosevelt in 1896, said he
would be happy for an opportunity
TO answer the charges and added:
The reason make this state
ment is due to the persistent fact
that the Jews and Communists and
the New Dealers of America have
been characterizing me as a sedi-
Zionist, pro-Nazi and disgrace to
the priesthood of the United States"
In disavowing any connection with
Social Justice. Father Coughlin said
the paper was owned by his parents,
Thomas J. and Amelia Coughlin.
a from
recent issues of Social Justice to
establish. as he said, "the necessary
elements constituting violation OF
the Espionage Act" Among these
were:
December Is, 1s4l-"The famous
words-'We planned 1t that way
uttered by Mr.. Roosevelt are as
applicable to our participation in
this World War as to anything he
has accomplished during his three
terms as President" -
March %, l942-"Many taxpayers
already are asking themselves: Are
we getting what we pay for? Many
parents whose sons are serving In
the Army for mere pittance are
souring because the soldiers are not
better equipped and because the
political army goes marching on in
prosperity
January 5, 1942-"Hence, our for
sign policy, devoid of all fine phrases
was one blueprinted to defend In
ternational capitalism and British
Imperialism no matter what the cost
might be In traditions. in dollars
and in blood to the citizens of our
country"
Priest No Longer on Air.
Mr. Walker advised the publisher
of Social Justice-using only the
title publisher" without name
that a hearing would be afforded on
revocation of the second-clasS
privilege, and that the matter would
be disposed of whether or not ap-
pesrance is made"
Mr.. Biddle estimated the Social
Justice circulation at 100000.
In 1896, the Royal Oak priest used
both his magazine and the radio to
support the presidential candidacy
OF former Representative Lemke OF
North Dakota, running on the Union
Party ticket. Father Coughlin left
the air for time in compliance
with promise to do so II Mr.. Lemke
polled fewer than 10000. 900 votes.
Mr.. Lemke received fewer than
l,000. 900.
Some time after quitting the air
Father Coughlin returned with the
explanation that he was answering
public appeals for his broadcast. He
then ceased and has not been on the
air for months.