During the several years of my following the posts on this board, there have been quite a few posts that expressed wonder and curiosity, about how the leaders of the Watchtower Organization benefit personally from the financial affairs of this organization. As I read the JWD posts yesterday morning, there were a couple I perused quickly, one was Lee’s, where I learned something new, that the deeds of Beth Sarim were in . Big WOW!
Let me tell you one or two stories.
Around 1958 or 59 there were two renowned court cases in Quebec City , the litigants were, Government of Quebec vs Jehovah’s Witnesses. Even the Premier of Quebec, Maurice Duplessis was held on the witness stand for two hours, by Glen How, the WT lawyer.
At these trials the WT’s legal team had quite an entourage. I get these two trials mixed up in my mind, but here are some of those there for one or both trials, Glen How, lawyer, Hayden Covington a lawyer, a local Jewish/French lawyer were there. Other non- lawyers, were Percy Chapman, Canadian Branch servant; Roemer, , accounting; Fred Franz, who as a witness who testified loudly in court that the Catholic Church was a whore; Laurier Saumur, district servant and perhaps others that I cannot remember. Some had their wives there, perhaps as secretaries.
Where were all these people accommodated? They had a suite of adjoining rooms in one of the most prestigious renowned hotels in , The Chateau Frontenac. Just to show you how expensive it is, I looked up rates for the fall of 2006, they were booked up for summer rates this year, and the room rates for one room runs from $500 to $800. Do the math, they probably needed one room for a war room and six, seven others for bedrooms.
Who paid for this suite of rooms for approximately two weeks?
I did not mention one other person who was in this entourage. His name was Anton Koerber, and elderly, slim, slightly stooped, grey haired, distinguished looking, soft spoken, man as I remember him.
I was a congregation servant at that time in and whenever the Society’s group needed errands run around town I was sent here and there to do what was required. Hayden gave me a big bottle of whisky to show his appreciation for what I was doing.
Now, Percy Chapman, (I in hindsight realized later that I was being sized up as one of his golden haired boys) told me (to ensure that the word got around) that Anton Koerber was paying the whole shot. When the court case was over, Percy, asked me to tidy up the vestibule room, and pick up the ”pop” bottles (for recycling), I saved one that was half full, to share with my pioneer roommates.
In a special meeting of the local congregation and all the pioneers, before the trial, we were introduced to Anton Koerber, and told that Anton had left a real estate deal where he could have made a million dollars in one year. He came to serve the Lord instead.
Some years later there was a Watchtower article eulogizing his death, where it said something similar. Perhaps someone here could find the article.
I am not making judgments here as to the moral or legal aspects of financial transactions of the WT society. I am directing attention to how officials of the Society can get the taste of the high life, that most of us grunts never had, OK a few crumbs once in a long while.
Now, it was stated that Anton, may his services for ever be renowned, was also in the real estate business, and handled many of the Society’s real estate deals. In real estate deals there are always commissions, both buying and selling, and I am sure a charitable organization would legally be entitled to pay them. Since 1959, millions of dollars worth of Society real estate has changed hands, who got the commissions and how did those persons show their appreciation?
Do I have to draw you a picture?
Belbab, more to come.