“FALSE FROM THE START.”

New Zealand Tablet, 22 May 1919, Page 18

“FALSE FROM THE START.”

An interesting and rather unusual court scene was recorded in the Auburn (N.Y.) Citizen a few weeks ago (says the St. Louis ('lunch Crni/re** of recent date). Judge Hay, of the Federal Court, administered a stinging rebuke to a reader of The. Menace, who pleaded guilty to distributing alleged false and malicious literature which attacked the Knights of Columbus, The defendant, David Wagner, 66 years old, of Oneonta, admitted having circulated a leaflet which attacked Catholic organisations. lie was sentenced by Judge Kay to pay a fine of 100 dollars. The defendant raised the money and paid the fine. “No body of men have shown themselves more devoted to the Union and to the cause of our country in this war than have the Catholics/' said Judge Ray, in passing sentence. “The Knights of Columbus have co-operated valiantly with, the Red Cross and other organisations for the general good. “I am not. a Catholic, but I want to say to you that I wish you would promise not to read any more in The Menace, which I understand you take. Such statements as have been published in that paper are harmful, and they hinder united action in our country, as well as being false from the start.” Wagner admitted that he “had nothing against the Catholics, but did not like the system.” However, he intimated that he would stop taking The Menace. He claimed 5 that he found the leaflets. ,* A ~