APOSTLES OF "NATUROPATHY" CALL ABOUT HEALTS

NZ Truth, Issue 1182, 26 July 1928, Page 4

APOSTLES OF "NATUROPATHY" CALL ABOUT HEALTS

iiiiiiiiifiiiiHiiiuiiiiiiiijjiiiiiiiiiiiiififjifiijjjjjjiiiiiiiiijjjjiijjjijijjiiHfiJijjui] iiiffjijjiiiiijijjifijijfiijjjjiifijiiiiiiiifiijjiiijjfiiiiiijiiiiiifjiii'iiijjjiiijijiiijiijiiiiiuiminiiiiiiiiii^ LOWBATCHEWSKY, THE WONDER! v• . ■

Illlllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllil UNDER the magic of the Russian title, Huddleston found his enterprise growing by leaps and bounds. In six- months, with the help 'of his partner, John Berentson, he had close on 100 patients putting implicit faith m his powers of healing. Had he kept to this class of business, he might still,have been rapidly piling up-a hefty banking account; but his ambitions or greed began to out-grow the realms of* caution. _ , There would be a second splendid harvest, he thought, if he) could' start a school m his art, styled by himself Naturopathy, and for the nominal sum of thirty guineas train young men and women "to give service" to their fellow-beings and incidentally make their fortunes.;. Just prior to. the arrest of these suave take-downs, however, "New Zealand Truth" was rapidly drawing a net of circumstantial evidence closer round the duo, preparatory to launching an attack against their methods as serh ously militating, against public welfare. As a matter of fact, Berentson and Huddleston, hearing that "Truth" was exhaustively sifting their bona fides, personally called at the offices of the paper. One of "Truth's" investigators took a shorthand note while the other questioned. The essence of the interview was that the "healers" considered they were justified m giving advice-on such matters as diet. They readily admitted that they had no degrees whatever, and that anyone at a_l could set himself up as a "dietitian." They claimed to have made a private study of diet, and certainly did not harm anyone with drugless methods. However, they delivered one bomb-shell-at "Truth" when they talked advertising, and when they- threw out what was tantamount to a bribe, they were told plainly that nothing could then prevent the story appearing. They, had been plainly agitated, and towards the end of. a vigorous session with "Truth," Berentson touched on the commercial aspect.' Berentson: Of course, if we are not .handicapped m any; way we intend to enlarge bur business. I don't want to throw around any bouquets, but really speaking, everyone knows that. "Truth" is the only paper in 'New Zealand with a truly national appeal. Of course, we would advertise m '"Truth." . "Truth's" Investigator: Are you aware that no "shady" advertisements would be tolerated m "Truth"? ■ntTtfnititiitiiiiiii»iitiiitittiiiiuiii<iiiiiiiiiiiitiiitiniiitttiiiitititiiifiitiMiitiiiiitiMtiiiiiitHtiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitifi iniiuiiiiiiitimitiiiiiitiitniiuiiniiiiiiiHiiHHiiiiitMiitiuiitiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiuiitiuiiiiiiuiiiiiiiiitiH]tiiitiinui_/<

Two Shady Drugless Healers Sample A Stiff Dose of Legal Medicine For A Change A. RUSSIAN NAME^-SUAVE MIEN— AND EASY I „'...' '\ ' ' .. ... ' . .... ' '" "~t| (From "N.Z. Truth's" Spscial Representatives.) i " ' Whien Frederick J. Huddleston conceived the idea of setting up m business as a drugless healer and assuming the Russian cognomen of Bernard Lowbatchewsky, he stepped on to the high road to easy fortune. But unfortunately, m his haste to reap the golden harvest, he forgot the old adage that although one may deceive some of the people some of the time one will find it extremely hard to deceive all of the people all the time.

set out m business as drugless healers, under the assufned name of Bernard Lowbatchewsky. ' In April last they invited pupils to learn the art of Naturopathy with a promise of diplomas after a certain time. A number of persons agreed to take the course, believing that the representations made by accused that there was an Australian Naturopathic Association were quite true. When seen by the police, on July 7, Huddleston had admitted that there was. no such association,, but that he and Berentson were really the association. He was asked for records to prove. that the association existed and he was unable to produce them. What Others Say \ At this stage it will be interesting to note just what. Lowbatchewsky had to say about himself. The following is I culled from a booklet which he scattered far and Wide and is modestly entitled: "What Others Say About Me."- " v "WHO IS LOWBATCHEWSKY ?" "Bernard Lowbatchewsky was born m Russia m 1882, being a grandson of the famous mathematician of the same name, to -whom Einstein owes his information of Non-Euclidian Geometry, the mathematical basis of the theory of relativity. _ , ■ ■ "After, a brilliant academical career, the younger Lowbatchewsky emigrated to America at the age of twenty-s^x. i iiiiiriiiiititiiuiiiiiiuiiitiiuiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiHtiMitHtiiiiMrtiuiiiitiiitiiiuHtiiititiuHHiiiniiniiiitii. iiiiniiiiii lllHllllllllll'llllltlllllllllllllllllllllMllllllllllllllllllllllltlllllllllllllllUlllllllltlllllllllltllllllllllllllHllltllllllll

Berentson first joined him as a partner, he led the latter to believe that there was a real person by the name of Lowbatchewsky and that he was m the South. .lsland. v . And this is what he said to Detective Barling, who, by the waV, was the officer responsible for putting the brake on Huddleston's get-rich-quick manoeuvres. • "I am 20 years of age and was born m Australia. I have been m New Zealand for 15 years." There is not much of a Russian flavor about this. Olive Ida Willis, 24 years of age, entered the witness-box to tell of the rosy future that Huddleston and Berentson promised her as a student of Naturopathy, m order to get her to part with thirty guineas that she could ill afford, to lose. "I saw their advertisement m L the paper," she told the magistrate, "and I called at their office for fuller information. They told me they represented the Australian •School ' of Naturopathy and that their headquarters were, m Australia; that they were ppening'up a branch m different towns m New Zealand. : "Tlie conditions they placed before me were that I was to go through a course- of instruction and finally, on passing an examination set ,by the Australian Naturopathic Association, I would get a diploma from the association and would then be able to. set out on my own. "The ' course would last from four to six months, but after four weeks' study they said 1 would be given a position as a room-atten-dant at a salary. of £3 per week. liiUiiuiiiiiiiiutiniinttlfHtitiiiiiiiiiiiuitiiitiiiitiiitnuititiniimttniiiiiiiiniiitiiiiiJiiiliifiiiiitiiitniitiintiiii iiiiiiiiiinuuiiiitliiiitmiiwiiiiiiiiitiiiiutifiiiiHiuiiimiitiiiiiiiiuiitiiiimiiuiitiiiiitiiiiiiiiniiiititiiiMiiiiiiii

the firm after he got his £50 back. He was acting-manager, drawing £5 per week. His work was to look after the correspondence ,and interview patients. Counsel: You got a job at* £s per week on the strength of what you had learnt?— l learnt very, little from them. Charles Cotter, of Palmerston North, related how he, too, had been led to believe that the Naturopathic Association was an Australian concern. He also mentioned that he had parted with £21/10/- m order to become a second Lowbatchewsky, but got very little for N his money. . There was an obvious change m the atmosphere however, when , Reginald. Thomas Carter, exfigurehead manager of the Institute (to use his own description of himself) ,took his place m the wit-ness-box at the request of the police. Carter rocked the court with his account of surely one of the most amazing of meetings ever recorded. He observed by way of preliminary that when he first joined up with the Institute on May .7, he asked if the Australian. Association existed and they said it did — m Australia, but no town was mentioned. He understood that the- accused were members of the association. However, a week before he left their employ, he was told by Huddleston that there would be: a meeting m the latter's room later m the day, for the purpose of forming the association. "When I arrived," said "witness, "there was only Huddleston present. The latter said they would go on with the meeting and that Miss Steele (one ifiuuniinnumiiimimitiiiiiiiiiititiitiHiiniitrmiitiiiiuiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiirinmiiiiiiirnmttiiu

tion were m Australia. Thes whole scheme was thought out by himself. "Berentsen told me that he was a married man," said Detective Barling. He also said 'he was' a Norwegian'and nad come to New Zealand three years ago after having visited most parts of the world. He first met Huddleston m January last m answer to an advertisement. At that time he thought Lowbatchewsky was a real person but was disillusioned later. Both the accused entered the wit-' ness-box m an endeavor to establish that they had acted m good faith with their students. Huddleston said that it was arranged with Miss Willis that she should Man and A Dog? receive instruction m Naturopathy, but she made no Inquiries as to whether the association/ existed m Australia or not. There was no such association m Australia although there was m England and America. " His Worship: But you can't form an association by calling a meeting of a man and a dog and writing up minutes. • '-.;• • .: ■ ■ Continuing, accused said -that the Health Institute was registered /as a company on May 29, and branches had been established In Napier and Wanganui. He had never represented that, there was a; Naturopathic Association m Australia. ' ■' ; ■ l "-. His intention m giving that name to nnnrmiHttmijiimimimiiitit(HMtittiii(iiiiiimirimimmi()Niiiiiiiiiiii/ir(iiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii»mnimriiniiiii iitiiitiintiiiiiiaitllimiluiiliuiiiiimitiiuiniHituiitiuiiiitiiiiiiiiiuiiiiitiiiiiiiliiiltiiiinli.iiiiiiiliiiiiiiltiiiiiiiii;

I 111111 II I I ' . I I I I Berentson: Ours would be honest enough. .."*.•'■ Investigator: Are you aware ,that your proposition practically amounts to bribery? ■:"■■' ' Berentson: We certainly do not mean it that way. We intend to advertise later.-- - .-' ' , ■""■ ; , \ •_■.■ '; . Investigator: Take our advice ana don't' come here to talk advertising. The pages of "Truth": abound with honest advertisements, ■ and your virtual bribe must now end our discussion. "That is one reason- alone why we' .should publish • any. evidence we; may Have; against you. .-';.' •This>naturally brought the interview to a close, and- Berentson and Hudd.leston left, fervent m the hope' that "Truth" would communicate its intentions to them at the Hotel Cecil. . ■ A few days, later the men were afrested, thus making "Truth's" proposed exposure- sub judice until after their conviction. The Magistrate's Court at Palmerston North was well patronised when Huddleston: and Berentson faced J. L. Stout, S.M., to 'answer • the charge bf being rogues ;and . vagabonds m . that they imposed '■]-. upon Olive Ida Willis by falsely , stating" that there was an Austra- ; lian' Naturopathic Association, and ' thereby obtaining from her the sum of £31/10/-. Senior- detective Quirke . prosecuted, while the accused, who entered the dock, with an unconcerned composure, were defended by Lawyer J. A.; Grant.' A plea of hot guilty was entered by each' ; ahd they' elected to be dealt with summarily. , • ■ The; senior-detective explained that Huddleston -and Berentson were partners m a registered company known as /The Natural' Health Institute (Mana.watu), Ltd., with elaborate offices, m Smith's Buildings, Palmerston North,, arid nicely fitted'-up treatment rooms m the old Zealandia Hall' buildings, Broadway .Avenue; ..: . • , They arrived m North at the beginning of February, arid first.

lIIIIIIIiniUItUIIIIHIUnIMItIIItItIIIIItIIMHIIIIHUIIIiHIItIHIIIUIIIIIIIIIIiIIHIIIIIIIIUIMIHIIHIIIIIiuiIIHr HUM ilHltllllllllMnniUlUlltllllUllllllllllllUlllllllllMlllllllllinHlinilllltlllllllllllllMltinillltltllllMllHllllll.-IIIIM At this time and for some years after- | wards he carrifed on many researches m various branches of science. At the age of 32 he .turned his attention to pathological physiology, and made many interesting discoveries that were, however, condemned by the orthodox medical profession. Immediately upon encountering this unfair opposition, brought about '.by convention • arid riioral cowardice, : he . turned . his vast scientific knowledge : to the treatment of disease. He :r,eadily/ let himself, m with the principles sponsored by Dr. Benidict Lust, Dr. Kellog arid Bernard McFadden. From that day to, the present he ; has experienced nothing , but success with every case. coming under his care. . *. '-' '-;' -, '.". . ; "Perhaps not part of the civi- ■■ . ■•' . . '.- -'- .y ■. .-'•■ ... ■ Unitjue Contrast lized world remains that Lowbatchewsky, has not practised: in. His adaptability of' 'rapidly acquiring new languages, a gift! found as a rule, m few scientific r*en, readily paved a way for him m any foreign country he found himself. : . Kis .. many writings ; have been printed, m a varied and heterogeneous - assortment of. languages.: We -trust that the few : years he spends iri Australasia will be as rich m new developments as the previous years of his life." ;, -XJ There was a unique, contrast between this effusion arid .Huddleston's admis-. •■scions. under cross-examination. iThe. detective: j What qualifications .have you as a drugless healer ?— -I studied for some time. Did you pass an exam.?— No. ■What name did you start under? '.. — Lowbatchewsky. ', That was my * 'trade name. \ You signed the name Lowbatchewsky to your letters? — Yes. 'You led people to believe you were a Russian?— Yes. ;' • 'Huddleston also admitted that when

MIIMIiHIIIIIIIIIIMIIIIIIIIIIIIHIIUIiniIIIIIIIIIHMIIIiIiIIHIIHHIIIIIIIIIIIUMIIIIIIHIIIIHMIItIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIKtINinHIIII HllllllllllilllllllllllllllinillllllllllMlllllllltlllllltlllllllllillllillllllliMlllllllllHlllllltUllllUtlllllllHHllllHltlllllll The fees collected by the accused amounted to thirty gunieas." \ The police then called Arthur Oliver Simpson- to recount how he had been deceived into believing that there was an Australian Naturopathic Association, but upon becoming dissatisfied, asked for his £50 back arid got it: Lawyer Grant riiade an attempt' to stop witness from mentioning anything that did not ; concern the transaction in' which Miss Willis was. directly affected, but the magistrate held that ■ when false representation .vas ''..'the subject of a charge, the recital of other similar acts was permissible. 'He nQted the objection, however. ' "I accompanied my. -friend; Maurice Hope; to Huddleston's office," ' said SimpsQn, "with the idea, that we should both .learn to. become Naturopaths. Both of. the accused were there', and spoke of the Australian Naturopathic Association and, a foreigner named Lowbatchewsky,. a famous mathematician who was m the South Island. His Worship: Who's this Lowbat'chewksy? , i y Detective- Quirke: That is the name they traded under. .-'■-•■•' I To Simpson: What did you get for your £50?, •' „' '> ■ , ■-' ' ' : Witness: I was promised, a diploma m two. months. . • Did you think there. was, a Naturo-. pathic Association •m -Australia?— Yes. ' Did. you get any instruction?— rYery little., One lesson from; Huddleston. - Did -you get' dissatisfied? — Yes. : Did you \say' anything about -your £.50 ?— l .. demanded it '•' back ari d : got it. . : And. Hope got, his as well?— -Yes.' >. Witness . added that he J. was f given . employment; by the .Health; Institute and remained with;'. th'e, '.accused- -until July 4 when 'Huddtestpn rang .up from; Wellingtpri, telling- him to discharge. the ' whole staff. ' , „ ... He. was unable to do thjit, however,, as there was no money m hand to pay wages: The; accused had been absent j from Palmerston -North since June 29. • To accused's counsel, witness; admitted that he. had gone on working for |

tiitiiiiiiliilniiiiiiiiiiiHiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiMiiiiiiltiiiiHiiiiHiHitiiiiiHinuniiniiHiiuiiiiiuuiinitmtlHHMllliiiiHii imiiiiiiiiiinm 1 1 1 1 1 ■ 1 1 1 ■-. 1 1 11 ■ 1 1 1 ■im 1 1 tiiiuimmiiiiiiiiiimiui itiiiiimmu »»'•." ihiiihiii of the employees) was downstairs and was willing to second any motions that they should propose. "Huddleston elected Berentson a member and the various students were made associates. Huddleston told me to write up the minutes which I did, but . later I told him . the whole thing was a fraud. It was then that I decided to leave their employ. I tore up the minutes and threw them away. Counsel: Why? ' "Witness: My name was on them and ■I! didn't want to have anything to do with the business. 'What was your position with- the firm?— Figurehead manager at £5/10/---per week. I saw some of the patients and spoke to them about dietary treatment. further informed the magistrate that he was supposed to lecture to the students on anatomy. • He was finally discharged by Huddleston. . ■ Detective E. Barling, who prosecuted the inquiries" into. the -way the accused were conducting their business, produced statements signed by each. . . Huddleston said -he was 20 years of age, was born ih Australia and had been m New Zealand for 15 years. He liad been interested m medicine for many years and m November last conceived the idea of setting. out as a drugless healer. . ;,' He did not want to use his own name and Hit upon the idea of assuming a Russian title. The result ' was magical and he soon found his business' growing by. leaps and bounds. Berentson had nothing to; do with this. He had joined as a salesman and became a partner later, y . \ .Each had drawn from £7 to £10 per week In wages. The Naturopathic Association'didn't ebcist m- Australia.- - ;He thought the school would .be a good idea and. as ..a 'result of advertisements, he secured seven or eight pupils at £3i/iQ/- each and one at £21/10/-,. but some'still owed foi* their course. He did. not remember telling them that the headquarters of the assocla -

llllllllllllMfllllltllllltUlllllllllllinilllulllllllltllllllHlllltlltllllllllllllllllllllllllHllllllllHlltllHllHlUlUllllll iiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiliHiintiiiHiiiniiliiiiitiiiniiliiiiiMHiniiiiiiiiiiMiuiiitiiniiiitnimnnniinutui the Association was eventually to go across the Tasriian and continue there. * Senior-detective Quirke. then took up the running and fired a battery of pertinent questions at accused,' as to his qualifications. To the intense amusement of the court he produced a large: poster which Huddleston had had printed about Lowbatchewsky, and read therefrom: "This concerns your health. Bernard Lowbatchewsky, F.A.N.A., one of the world's foremost drug*---, less healers is here m New Zealand to instruct .you m the new methods of regaining health. Allopathy, the use of drugs m healing disease, is unnatural, a crime and a transgression against the laws of nature. Minutes Torn Up Tell us your trouble and we will advise you candidly and sensibly," etc., etc. , His Worship (to accused) : Are you one of the world's foremost healers? Witness: I am well up m it. : His Worship : "Well, I am sorry for the others, then." "Have you any proof of the existence of the Australian Naturopathic Association?" a^ked the detective. Huddleston: We had . the minutebook that Mr. Carter tore up. . His Worship: The association seems to be a child of your imagination, at "least, so far as Miss Willis is concerned. ' /. , „ Berentson followed his partner into the witness-box to state that he joined Huddleston about- January 27. It was not till some time m February that lie found out that there was no such man. as Lowbatchewsky. He was first employed as a salesman aiid when he went into partnership they dropped the Russian name. So far as Miss Willis was concerned, she was toldthat they

jiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiijiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiifiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiin ■intended opening up m- Australia, but not that there was already an association there. - To the police, acbused stated that he was a Norwegian, unnaturalized. He-had had a certain knowledge of drugless healing before he -joined' Huddleston, but held no diplomas, -v-" Detective Quirke: Didn't .{you, -. „ write Mr. on March 19 stating that Lowbatchewsky had gone .to the United States? Accused:- Yes, we wanted to get,rid of Lowbatchewsky. (Laughter, :in which Huddleston joined.) .'■■,'.-'•■/- Detective Quirke: Tou also -stated that Lowbatchewsky had been inspired to help his fellow-creatures m Shanghai. Is that true? Berentson: No. , His worship, m entering a conviction, pointed out that at the time the accused took Miss Willis' money, no Australian^Naturopathic Association had been Sormed. It didn't exist and the accused knew it. . ..',..<. Both would" be deemed rogues .and vagabonds, but before passing- serttence he would like to hear what .thie .probation officer had to report.- The "prisoners were accordingly- remanded for a couple of dciys so that the report could be prepared. ■<' '- Accused's counsel asked .leave to submit a few facts on their behalf when they made their reappearance before the magistrate two days later. .Berentson had apparently entered the partnership not knowing its exact nature:'. -''■<''- On discovering the v nqn-existence' of the man Lowbatchewsky, he had insisted that the name be dropped and. had-advised a, client that the Russian;.' had. gone tb America where lie might as well be figuratively consigned as anywhere else and he done with. .;..-. ..■■.■ His Worship.; Berentson .also wrote that: he, had' travelled 'through' China with the famous Mr. Lowbatchewsky. j Counsel assured the magistrate th_kt Berentson had some particularly good references;.. He was, for some --.time, m Hong Kong with a shipping Arm. from whom he had received an excellent testimonial. ■_.... -- ■ ',-y . After that he went to Shanghai where he. was. with the Customs Department and acted as secretary.to the Norwegian Consul. .He also;-had „ a letter from the Govern or- of Hong' Kong expressing, thanks .for .service, he, had rendered during a strike m 1925-26. "> Bererttson then went to Borneo and iumiiiiniunimii«niniiiiiii"niiMinminniumnm]innHirmnniromniunimiiniraira_MTnmrmiw« uiiiiiitiumnfuimiitiiiiituiiuuimHuiuiiuHmfimHiiinaiinmiuiHiiimimimuiiniiiraiiyinii^uiuv

iiiiinuiiiiuiiHiiniiniiumuinitiuiiiuHitiiiimmiiiiiiiiiiiiimnitiiiiimiimiiuiftiiimiiiitifiuiiminmiiiia tiiitiiiiiiiiiiniiiinititiiiiitiittititiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiuiiiitniiiiiiiuiiuiiniui— imrtiinnrfiim* from there to Sydney arid- Anally New ■ Zealand. For, two ..years' he ; was • employed as a salesman and latterly : had joined up with Huddleston simply as a salesman. „. • . * - . "So far. as Huddleston is concerned," observed counsel, "he is a young- man, ■ 21 years of age. '■ He was born^in Australia and had no previous convictions. He undoubtedly had ability,- but m this case, it .was misdirected." Huddleston seemed to -be the: ringleader, -commented his Worship and at first duped Berentson to a certain .extent. He knew that the Institute could ; not benefit the public— it was -really nothing more than a deception. There was not only the fact that Miss Willis had been defrauded, but he had been defrauding the public generally, and; had the Institute gone on, many deaths might have been laid at their door.. They had no qualifications, training or anything' else to benefit their fellow-men. « "As far as I can see, there is nothing to b.e said for you at all," the magistrate declared, addressing Huddleston. "You deliberately set out to defraud the public and your pupils. You are not qualified to - teach them anything, because you do not know anything "yourself. You have .started very young — indeed) the report before me suggests • that you started m Nelson and bolted. "You will be sentenced to reformative detention for a period not exceeding 18 months." .'.'As far as you. are concerned," his worship concluded, addressing Berentson, "up to the i time you came m contact with Huddleston you were leading a useful life m various parts of ..the world. However, you didn't withdraw from the Institute when you discovered, that it was a fraud. ' "You also wrote letters which , ybu knew to be untrue. It does not seenv to be a case m which you can be given probation, I am afraid. .You . will, be i; sentenced to reformative detention lor a period not exceeding six months."