================ TEXT VERSION BELOW ==========
20 YEARS IN PRISON FOR 7 RUSSELLITES
Judge Howe Scores Men Who
Give Aid to the Enemy Under
the Guise of Religion.
"WORSE THAN TRAITORS"
Case of One Held for Investigation
of His Past-Rutherford Deeply Affected.
Seven of the eight members of various organizations founded by the late "Pastor" Charles Taze Russell, who were convicted of conspiracy to cause insubordination, disloyalty, and refusal of duty in the military forces of the United States, were sentenced individually yesterday by Judge H. B. Howe in the U. S. District Court, in Brooklyn, to serve twenty years in prison on each of the four counts in the indictment against them. This would make a term of eighty years in all for each convict, but the Judge decided that the sentences might run concurrently, so that the prisoners can look forward to their release as if they had been sentenced to but one term of twenty years.
Those sentenced were Joseph F. Rutherford, President of the International Bible Students' Association, and successor to "Pastor" Russell; William E. Van Amburgh, Treasurer of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; Robert J. Martin, auditor of the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society; Fred H. Robinson (sic-Robison), personal representative of Rutherford; Alexander Hugh McMillan (sic-Macmillan), Superintendent of the Bethel Home, and George H. Fisher and Clayton J. Woodworth, both of Scranton, Penn., joint authors of "The Finished Mystery," and Directors of the Inter-national Bible Students' Association.
On the eighth man convicted, Giovanni De Cecca, director of the translation of the works of the Russellite organizations Into the Italian language, Judge Howe said he would defer sentence for further consideration, as the court desired to have his previous career investigated. There was considerable speculation as to what caused the action of the Judge in the case of De Cecca, but none of the Federal officials would discuss the matter. It was learned, however, that he was kept separate from the other prisoners white in the prisoners' pen and had a separate cell in Raymond Street Jail, where all were taken later.
Judge Howes Sentence.
The courtroom was crowded with members of the Russellite societies and curious persons long before the Judge or prisoners arrived. The throng of persons trying to enter the room became no great that Marshal James M. Power ordered all who could not find seats to leave the room, and permitted no more to enter. Shortly after noon the prisoners ware brought to court, and they showed plainly the effects of their first night in prison. Chairs were placed in front of the Judge's bench and the prisoners sat in them. Judge Howe went upon the bench after 1 o'clock.
"In the opinion of the court," said Judge Howe, the religious propaganda which these defendants have vigorously advocated and spread throughout the nation, as well as among our allies, is a greater danger than a division of the German Army, If they had taken guns and swords and joined the German Army the harm they could have done would have been insignificant compared with the results of their propaganda. A person preaching religion usually has much influence, and if he is sincere he is all the more effective. This aggravates rather than mitigates the wrong they have done. Therefore, as the only prudent thing to do with such persons, the court has concluded that the punishment should be severe. The sentence is that the defendants serve a term of twenty years in the Federal penitentiary at Atlanta, Ga., on each of the four counts of the indictment, but that the sentences commence and run concurrently, and that they stand committed until the sentence is complied with."
The length of the sentence was a great surprise to the prisoners and their followers. The eight men sank into their chairs, Rutherford was the most affected of all. His body and hands twitched convulsively and his face grew red. A buzz of comment passed over the courtroom. The prisoners were then taken to a room on the top floor of the building to await removal to Raymond Street Jail.
Lawyers Jesse Fuller and Frederick Sparks, for the various defendants, made the usual motions to have the verdict set aside on the ground that it was against the weight of evidence. Mr. Fuller also moved, in the case of De Cecca, that the verdict be set aside on the ground that the attitude of the court during the trial had had an oppressive effect on the witnesses, jury, and counsel for the defense.
"I am not surprised to hear such a motion," answered Judge Howe, "in view of the attitude of counsel toward this court throughout this case."
The Judge dismissed the motions to set aside the verdict, but granted an application made by Mr. Fuller for a writ of error, so that the case of all the men could he brought before the Circuit Court of Appeals. Mr. Fuller then moved for a stay of execution and asked that the defendants be admitted to bail pending the result of their appeal. Judge Howe denied this motion, with the comment that he could not think of greater harm than to stay the execution of the sentence and admit the men to bail.
Worse than Traitors.
After the proceedings Judge Howe said:
"The court desires to express its appreciation to counsel, excepting Mr. Sparks, for the dignified and lawyer-like way in which they have tried the case; and to the clerk and his deputies and the Marshal and his deputies for their many courtesies."
Turning to ex-Judge Oeland, the special United States prosecutor, and referring to the eight convicted Russellites, Judge Howe said :
"They are worse than traitors. You can catch a traitor and know what he is about. But you cannot catch a man who does what they did under the guise of religion. Do you agree with me Judge?" Judge Oeland nodded his head in approval.
Shortly after they were brought to the detention room upstairs a luncheon was served to the men. It was brought from the Bethel Home on Columbia Heights, and the main article on the menu was roast chicken. They remained in this room all the afternoon and were allowed to receive visits from relatives and close friends. Most of the time was spent in prayer and in singing hymns favored by their sect. In the early evening they were placed in a police patrol wagon and, guarded by Marshal Power and a number of deputies, were removed to jail. They will remain there until Monday, when it is expected that they will begin their journey South.
A prominent member of the International Bible Students' Association, who refused the use of his name, declared it was the intention of the members to carry on the work.
Special to The New York Times.
WASHINGTON, June 21.-The Department of Justice late this afternoon issued a brief explanation of the activities of the defendants in the case of the United States versus Rutherford and others.
"Under the guise of religious work," says the statement, " J. F. Rutherford, who was today sentenced to twenty years' imprisonment, and his associates circulated throughout the country, and also in several cantonments of the army, a large amount of vicious anti-war propaganda.
"Shortly prior to their trial, this Government received formal complaint from the Italian Government to the effect that the Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society, managed by Rutherford and his associates, had succeeded in circulating in the Italian armies a quantity of anti-war propaganda which had been mailed into Italy from Greece.
"The facts and documents presented to this Government by the Italian Government, together with the facts disclosed in the trial court, demonstrated clearly that Rutherford and his associates, while issuing what were ostensibly publications of a strictly religious character, were, in fact, using certain of those publications as a medium for circulating vicious propaganda solely intended to hamper the prosecution of the war by the United States."
====== end =========