Profit's Prophet

Glib, handsome Arthur Lowler Osborn Fountaine Bell toiled mightily during his early years in California. He founded a profitable cult called "Mankind United," labeled himself "The Voice" and announced that he had seven doubles all capable of thinking as one. He denounced capitalism, quoted the scriptures feverishly, soon claimed 250,000 followers.

But competition from others of south ern California's indigenous religionists was tough and he got little recognition. Finally in an excess of zeal, he announced that U.S. planes with Japanese colors had bombed Pearl Harbor on orders from the "hidden rulers of the world." He was arrested, convicted of sedition, sentenced to five years in prison. "Mankind United" collapsed.

Arthur Bell, who claims the supernatural quality of agility (i.e., of being able to transport himself anywhere in an instant by an act of his own will), was not stopped. While his attorneys appealed his conviction, he planned a bigger enterprise -- Christ's Church of the Golden Rule.

He talked 750 of his followers into turning over all their worldly goods for the privilege of joining. With this money, the profits from "Mankind United" and funds advanced by his wife, he began buying property. By last week, less than two years later, he had succeeded the late Aimee Semple McPherson as the West Coast's gaudiest prophet.

His new church has $3,400,000 in assets -- two laundries, six hotels, business build ings, five restaurants, two canneries, two lumber mills, Santa Monica's lush Sorrento Beach Club, 1,000 head of cattle, a cheese factory and 10,000 acres of land.

Toward a Richer Life. Despite the size of his empire. The Voice has no salary or manpower problems. His employes are all church members, and they cheerfully toil twelve hours a day for food, clothing, a bed and expenses.

His followers' gratitude and energy have kept the church's business humming mer rily. War-weary travelers who stop at the church's hotels are pleasantly surprised by the good service. Signs in the lobbies bear the startling legend: "Please do not tip the personnel; they are here to serve you and God." Meals are good since The Voice controls his source of supply.

Minor Difficulties. As business boomed, Promoter Bell began talking of expanding his empire. More recently, he has begun to complain that "they" are persecuting him "just as they have always perse cuted those who believed in God and the Golden Rule." California businessmen indeed have begun to glance nervously in his direction.

His enterprises pay no income tax. Neither does The Voice, whose snappy double-breasted suits, flowing ties, and manicures are listed as "legitimate church expenses." Now California unions are fighting him tooth & nail. Last month they claimed a victory when the War Labor Board ordered him to continue a union contract at San Francisco's Hotel Cecil. But The Voice had already dodged out of range by selling the establishment (at a neat $60,000 profit) a month before. Undeterred, the unions last week were pressing cases against other church hotels in which salaried workers have been replaced by Bell's un-salaried employes.

The Voice makes it plain that these are minor difficulties. With a serene and sometimes hypnotic eye, he insists that his attorneys have a perfect defense--church members have no employer but God, thus are plainly outside the jurisdiction of things like WLB.

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