Rutherford v. United States — Correspondence Behind the Espionage Case (1918)

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On February 1, 1991, I received from a Witness elder, who had volunteered to help the Writing Department obtain research material, copies of official U.S. Government correspondence purchased from the National Archives under the Freedom of Information Act, and some other misc. material.

Included in the package were copies of original correspondence between those heavily involved in building an espionage case in 1918 against J. F. Rutherford and seven associates. Their goal was to prove that the Directors of the International Bible Students Association were guilty of violation of the Espionage Act. There were also copies of letters between Rutherford and John Lord O'Brian, head of the War Emergency Division; confiscated letters from Watch Tower personnel to the Bible Classes; misc. letters sent to the Directors, and some letters opposing IBSA from former Bible Students.

Not part of the government papers were (1) a copy of a four-page supplement, "The Case of the International Bible Students Association," Ernest D. Sexton, 310 Martin Bldg., N.S. Pittsburgh, PA; (2) a copy of a four-page unusual newspaper, "Labor Union Tribune," printed and distributed by the Bible Students in Pittsburgh, PA.

The following is a list of all the government material sent.

Note: All related correspondence is grouped together and listed between four stars.

February 12, 1918 -

Letter to the Attorney General, Washington, D.C. from Office of the United States Attorney, Portland, Oregon, John J. Beckman, Asst. United States Attorney.

1.

February 21, 1918 -

Letter to Hon. Robert R. Rankin, U.S. Attorney, Portland, Oregon from John Lord O'Brian, Special Asst. to the Attorney General, in answer to the above Feb. 12, 1918 letter.

February 25,1918 - Agent's Report - Withdrawal Notice

March 7, 1918 - Agent's Report - Withdrawal Notice.

March 7,1918-

Letter to all the colporteurs and the friends who are working with the classes distributing THE FINISHED MYSTERY from WTB&TS, Colporteur Dept.

March 16, 1918 -

Letter to Colporteurs, Class Secretaries and other workers in the harvest field from WTB&TS.

Page 2

March 9,1918-

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash. D.C. from Asst. U.S. Att. John M. McCourt of Office of U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA.

March 21, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash. D.C. from John M. McCourt, Asst. U.S. Att.

March 26,1918-

Letter to Hon. Melville J. France, U.S. Attorney, Brooklyn, NY from John Lord O/Brian

March 30,1918-

Letter to Hon. Melville J. France, U.S. Attorney, Brooklyn, NY from John Lord O'Brian

Attached copies of confiscated correspondence which was addressed to Woodworth from Rutherford, Oct. 11, 1917; Dec. 7, 1017; Feb. 21, 1918.

March 11, 1918 -

Letter to Dept. of Justice, WA, D.C. from Rutherford

March 15, 1918 -

Letter to Rutherford from John Lord O'Brian in response.

March 21, 1918 -

Letter to Hon. Thomas W. Gregory, Attorney General, WA, D.C. from Rutherford.

April 1, 1918 -

Letter to Rutherford from John Lord O'Brian in response to March 21st letter to Gregory.

March 11, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, WA, D.C. from Harry B. Tedrow, U.S. Attorney, Office of U.S. Attorney, Denver, Colorado.

March 5, 1918-

Copy of letter sent to Tedrow from William H. Wadley and enclosed with above letter to The Attorney General of U.S.

March 22,1918.

Letter to Harry B. Tedrow in response from John Lord O'Brian.

March 18, 1919 -

Telegram to Attorney General #5619 from Clyne US Attorney.

Page 3

March 21, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, WA, D.C. from U.S. Attorney, Houston, Texas.

March 21, 1918 -

Report from Special Agent E.B. Sisk, Houston, Texas. Page one is missing.

March 20 and 22,1918-

Two telegrams received by Dept of Justice in code from Agent Green.

Copies of three letters sent to Brother Cowell from Colporteur Dent dates as follows: March 14, 15 and 15, 1918 which were

depict dates as follows. march 14, 19, and 19, 1918 which were confiscated as evidence.

March 25,1918-

Letter to Hon Rogers L. Burnett, U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA from John Lord O'Brian

April 1, 1918 -

Copy of newspaper article from Boston Post of Rutherford's address in the Hippodrome.

April 1, 1918 - Letter to The Attorney General, Washington, D.C. from Harry B. Tedrow, U.S. Attorney, Denver, Colorado.

April 6, 1918 -

Letter to Harry B. Tedrow from John Lord O'Brian in response to above letter.

April 2,1918-

Letter to Dept. of Justice from Rutherford.

April 6,1918 - Letter to Rutherford from John Lord O'Brian in response to above

letter.

April 2, 1918 -

Letter to John Lord O'Brian from The White House Secretary to the President, G. Tuning.

April 3,1918-

Letter to Hon. Rogers L. Burnett, U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA from John Lord O'Brian.

Page 4

April 5,1918-

Letter to Dept. of Justice, Investigation Dept., Wash., D.C. from John G. Benson, Exec. Sec., National War Council of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

April 10, 1918 -

Letter to Rev. John G. Benson, Exec. Sec., National War Council of the Methodist Episcopal Church from John Lord O'Brian.

April 7,1918-

Letter to The Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from

John M. McCourt, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA.

April 17, 1918-

Letter to Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C. from John M. McCourt, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA. acknowledging receipt of requested copyright record in above letter of April 7, 1918.

April 9, 1918 -

Letter to Hon. Thomas W. Gregory, Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from Rutherford.

April 13, 1918 -

Letter to Hon Thomas J. Boynton U.S Attorney Boston Mass from

April 13, 1918 -

Letter to Rutherford from John Lord O'Brian.

April 21, 1918 -

Letter to Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from Judd Dewey, Ass't U.S.

Attorney, Boston, Mass.

April 30, 1918 -

Letter to Hon. Thomas J. Boynton, U.S. Attorney, Boston, Mass. from

John Lord O'Brian.

April 13, 1918 -

Letter to Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from Rutherford.

March 20,1918-

Copy of letter which was an enclosure to above letter of Rutherford of April 13th. Letter was to Ion Neville Syme, Chester, Conn. from Thomas J. Spellacy, U.S. Attorney, Dept. of Justice, Hartford, Conn.

April 19, 1918 -

Letter to Hon. Thomas J. Spellacy, U.S. Attorney, Harford, Conn. from John Lord O'Brian.

. Page 5

April 14, 1918 -

Letter to Editor-in-chief, Cleveland Press, Cleveland, Ohio from C. E. Kerney, Jr.

April 18, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from Chas. E. Kerney, Jr. Attached to Kerney's letter is copy of A. H. MacMillan's lecture on "The World Has Ended-Millions Now Living Will Never Die."

May 6, 1918

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from John M. McCourt, Ass't U.S. Attorney.

May 9, 1918 -

Letter to John M. McCourt, Asst. U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA from John Lord O'Brian.

May 25, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from John M.McCourt.

May 15, 1918 -

Letter to Mr. Bettman from R. H. Hirsh (ex-director of Society).

May 16, 1918 -

Letter to Mr. Bettman from R. H. Hirsh (ex-director of Society).

★★★

May 17, 1918 - Agent's Report - Withdrawal Notice.

May 17, 1918 -

Letter to John L. O'Brian from Roger Welles, Captain, U.S.N., Director of Naval Intelligence.

May 18, 1918 -

Letter to John Lord O'Brian from A. P. C. Griffin, Acting

Librarian, Library of Congress, Wash., D.C.

May 20, 1918 -

Letter to Judge I. R. Oeland, 115 Broadway, N.Y.C. from John Lord O'Brian.

May 23,1918-

Memorandum for Mr. O'Brien from A.B.B., Chief, Dept. of Justice Bureau of Investigation, Wash., D.C..

May 25,1918-

Letter to Dr. Alice Dudek, 134 Beaumont St., Manhattan Beach, NYC from Rutherford. He enclosed an outline of the I.B.S.A.'s organization, work, and teachings.

May 28,1918-

Note attached to two copies of letters from Federal Reserve Board,

Wash., D.C. [can t read name] to Thomas w. Gregor, Attorney General, Wash., D.C.

May 22,1918-

Copy of one letter mentioned above, to Robert W. Atkinson, Esq. 38 Heath St., Brookline, Mass.

May 24,1918-

Copy of one letter mentioned above, to Congressman Hamlin from Robert W. Atkinson

May 28,1918-

Two letters, same date, to The Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from W. H. Lamar, Solicitor, Post Office Dept., Wash., D.C.

May 31, 1918 -

Letter to Judge I. R. Oeland, Attorney at Law, 115 Broadway, NYC from John Lord O'Brian.

June 11, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from U.S. Attorney, (can't read name), Fargo, N.D.

June 29,1918

Letter to Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from Chas. P. Livingston with attachment (copy from Watchtower "Prominent Brethren Arrested". This copy has note on bottom from Livingston.

July 5, 1918 -

Letter to Judge I. R. Oeland from John Lord O'Brian.

July 5, 1918 -

Letter to Charles S. Livingston, Esq., P.O. Box 135, Enterprise Alabama from John Lord O'Brian.

July 10, 1918 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from John M. McCourt, Ass't U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA.

July 12, 1918 -

Letter to Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from A. S. Maloney, Attorney, San Bernardino, CA and attachment of resolution from Knights of Columbus. Kingdom News of May, 1918 also attached.

July 21 1918 -

Letter to A. S. Maloney, Esq., San Bernardino, CA from John Lord O'Brian in response to above letter.

July 21, 1918 -

Letter to John Robert O'Connor, Esq., U.S. Attorney, Los Angeles, CA from John Lord O'Brian regarding the above. April 15, 1918 Kingdom News attached.

July 17, 1918 -

Letter to Attorney General, Wash., D.C. Attention of Mr. Bettman from Isaac R. Oeland, 115 Broadway, NYC.

November 30,1918-

Letter to Hon. Thomas Watt Gregory, Dept., of Justice, Wash., D.C. from Isaac. R. Oeland.

December 4,1918-

Memorandum For Solicitor General: Attention of Mr. Hughes. From Alfred Bettman, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C.

February 14, 1919 -

Letter to Hon. Thomas S. Martin, U.S.S., Wash., D.C. from I.B.S.A., Waynesboro Bible Class, Box 66, Waynesboro, VA, C. L. Gilbert, Sec.

February 20,1919-

Letter to Thomas W. Gregory, Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from House of Representatives, Committee on Military Affairs, Wash., D.C., Thomas J. Crago.

February 28,1919-

Letter to The Honorable, The Attorney General, Wash., D.C. from House of Representatives U.S., Wash., D.C. from Ira C. Copley.

March 11, 1919 -

Letter to Hon. Ira C. Copley, House of Representatives, Wash., D.C. from John Lord O'Brian.

The following seven letters from Bible Students asking that the case be reopened. Dates and names are as follows:

February 24, 1919 -

To Gov. Allen from Fred Rathke, Olpe, Kansas

February 26, 1919 -

To Gov. Allen from R. L. Bosley, Towanda, Kansas

February 26, 1919 -

To Gov. Allen from L. L. Frantz, Topeka, Kansas

February 26, 1919 -

To Gov. Allen from Miss Carol V. Squire, Topeka, Kansas

February 27, 1919 -

To Gov. Allen from Mrs. G. L. Morrison, Parsons, Kansas

To Gov. Allen from Mrs. H. H. Griswold, Corillison, Kans. (no date)

March 12, 1919 -

To Hon. A. M. Palmer, Att. Gen., Wash., D.C. from Mrs. C.L. Knowles

March 18, 1919 -

Note on top: Office of The Private Sectetary, Dept. of Justice,

Assistant Attorney General Stewart. Date on top of letter:

March 3, 1919 -

To The Honorable Attorney General from United States District Judge Harlen B. Howe (not signed)

March 27, 1919 -

Memorandum to Mr. O'Brian from the Attorney General, A.M.F., Dept. of Justice.

March 12, 1919 -

Letter to Attorney General from Woodrow Wilson.

February 19, 1919 -

"Application for Executive Clemency" and "The Facts." To The President of the U.S. from Rutherford and Assoc.

March 3, 1919 -

Synopsis written by Ernest D. Sexton (re: application for Exec. Clemency)

March 27, 1919 -

Letter to the President from Attorney General

April 2, 1919 -

"The Attorney General issued the following statement:" Two rough copies of this. The statements made start out somewhat similar but contain many different points. Copy #2, without date, is worded very strongly.

Page 9

★★★

January 20,1920-Letter-Withdrawal Notice.

July 1, 1920 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Wash., D.C., from The Northeast Presbyterian Church, Kansas City Missouri, J. P. Davis.

July 2,1920-

Letter to Attorney General, Dept of Justice, Wash., D.C. from Chas. E. Breniman, Division Superintendent, Antonio, Texas.

July 8,1920-Spec.Agent's Report-Withdrawal Notice.

July 9, 1920 -

Newspaper clipping Riverside Daily Press, Riverside, CA letter to Editor Press from Rutherford.

January 1, 1921 - Letter - Withdrawal Notice.

January 21, 1921 - Agent's Report - Withdrawal Notice

April 12, 1921 - Agent's Report - Withdrawal Notice.

April 20, 1921 -

Letter to The Attorney General, Dept. of Justice, Wash., D.C. from John M. McCourt, Ass't U.S. Attorney, Scranton, PA.

May 21, 1921 - Letter - Witdrawal Notice.

ACCESS RESTRICTED - Entire File 9-19-1700-45 Withdrawal Notice Contains many Bu. Inv. documents - Date - 1977.