plagiarism by h. spencer lewis claimed (1932)
TRANSCRIPT
PLAGIARISM BY LEW IS CLAIMED
Rosicrucian O r d e r Head
“ Literary Thief” Is De
fense Argument
Counter charges of plagiarism were hurled In Justice Grandin II. Miller's
court by attorneys for George L. Sm ith. Bakersfield printer, against Dr. II. Spencer lew is, when the printer opened his defense to the Rosicrucian Order head's libel charge today.
By books and pamphlets, allegedly written by Dr. Lewis and members of his editorial board and published by the Rosicrucian Order here. Attorney Eugene Grattan, defending Smith, sought to prove that his client's charges or "literary thief" against Dr. Lewis are true.
The charges are made In a letter allegedly written to Dr. Lewis by Smith last March 25. coplcs of which were said to have been circulated by Smith over various parts of the country and abroad.
LEWIS ON STAND
These charges were denied by Dr. Lewis, when the prosecution reopened Its case as court convened this m orning and called him to testify. The prosecution rested Immediately afterward.
The first witness called by the defense was Dr. Lewis. Attorney Grattan's efforts, however, to use books ranging from economics to astrology as a basis to prove his plagiarism charges met defeat a t the numerous objections entered by Deputy District Attomy Frank J. Waterhouse and Special Prosecutor Alfred Aram.
"Even though Dr. Lewis got Ideas from other books as a basis for his own,” W aterhouse objected time and time again, "the evidence Is n o t sufficient to prove literary th eft and Is lrrclevcnt." The court sustained most of th e objections along this line.
Smith's charge that lecturcs were; taken from the Book of Knowledge were admitted by Dr. Lewis.
In 1920 when he was In Egypt, he
Resents Verbal Pummeling
rt*», **
Dr. II. Spencer Lewis, im perator of
the Order of Rosicrucian*, is ac
cusing George L. Smith, Bakersfield
printer, of criminal libel In an ac
tion now occupying the attention of
a local court. Dr. Lewis Is shown
above; Sm ith In the lower picture.—
Lomer Engraving Service photos.
In 1920 when lie was In Egypt, he testified, a. woman he engaged to p repare a series of articles on child cultu ral subjects obtained m aterial from the "Book of Knowledge" for five or six of the series.
D r. Lewis also declared th a t a poem allegedly published by him several years after i t appeared in another author's work was originally translated from the walls of an old Egyptian temple dating back thousands of years.
The Rosicrucian Order, he testified, was formed by him in this country in 1000 with permission of the order in France. I t Is Incorporated in California under the name of tho Ancient Mystical Order of Rosicruclans, is an educational and fraternal organization, and is non-profit making.
Only four witnesses were callcd by the prosecution yesterday. Testimony was th a t the letter, allegedly written by Sm ith, was mailed to Dr. Lewis here and to other members of tho Rosicrucian Order in Seattle, Iowa, Canada, England ond elsewhere, and
{Continued on P uce Tw o)
] LEWIS LIBEL ](Contlnoia rroro T i n o m )
th at It was composed for appAteritly malicious purposes.
The witnesses wer6 Ralph Lewis, »en of the impergtor and fir And secretary of the order; R. H. Knox, m anager of the local Better Busmens Bureau: Mrs, Mary A. Burice, Seattle cosmetologist, and A. L. Renfo, Kern County deputy sheriff, who arreited Smith at his Bakersfield home on Lewis’ warrant and confiscated 40 copies of the alleged libel letter and ft, mimeograph stencil.
Ralph Lewis testified that he h*d received the letter written to his father, Mr. Knox declared he received a copy of the letter from Calvary, Canada, and Mrs. Burke stated ano also had received * copy from Smith.
The letter, read into the court record by Assistant District Attorney Frank J. Waterhouae, contains much m atter of sensational nature allegedly reflecting upon Lewis' personal integrity and his connection with the Rosl. crucian Order. Excerpts from the letter. headed "You Rotter,” aro u follows;
"Lewis, you lie when you say that you are a doctor of philosophy or an/ •Iher title from the Rose Croix University In Toulnuse, France, o t any other place In France. There is no awoh university,
"Lewis, you are no my psychic than a. door knob, If you are, which 1 know you are not. you will have In the mall tonight, to be received by me tomorrow at 10:30, x complete copy of this letter which I am writing you, as well as a complete copy of the material I am forwarding to tho postal department In connection herewith. Year failure to read your own stars and my mind and messaie will be proof positive that you have no power over the forces of Intelligence. Accomplish that feat, and 1 will admit to the world your ability.
"Lewis, you He when you state th *t you are a member of the Masonlo fraternity, either here or abroad. You were barred from Masonry In New York after taking the first degree.
"Lewis, your Mystical Life of Jesus Is t, steal of the Crucifixion of *n Eye
witness and rehashed to suit your purpose.
"Lewis, your Unto 1 Orant U ft steal from the 'Economy of Human Lite.*
"Lewis, why did you demand IJ000 from the San Francisco and Lc* Angeles lodges when you were forced to leave Tampa to suddenly?
"You, Lewu, lied when you went to Tampa and promised a $13,000,000 building.
“Lewis, why do you not complete your case against Thomas? You fear both him and me when that case cornea to trial, do you not? Do you not think I am wise to the ipethods you used to fr»me Thornes in Freeno and even now in Lo* Angeles? You poor sap.”
The letter Is dated "S10 Cheiter Avenue, Bakersfield, Calif., March 25, 1933." end addressed "H. Spencer Lewis. Imp of Amorc, San Jose, Calif.”
San Jose Evening News
San Jose, California Wednesday, July 2 0 ,1 9 3 2 Pages 1 and 2
FIREWORKS MARK LOCAL LIBEL HEARING