BECKMAN, Francis J.L.

Being written

Archbishop Francis J. L. Beckman

BECKMAN, Francis J. L. (Cincinnati, OH, Oct. 25, 1875-Chicago, IL, Oct. 17, 1948). Beckman's service in Dubuque for many was as tragic as the GREAT DEPRESSION that began as he came to Dubuque and WORLD WAR II that ended as he was being replaced.

Photo courtesy: Paul Hemmer and the Telegraph Herald

Beckman was installed as archbishop in May 1930, and quickly demonstrated his faith in organizations. The SAINT VINCENT de PAUL Society grew with his encouragement as did the Holy Name Societies, Rural Life Conference, Conference on Industrial Relations, and the Catholic Youth Organization (CYO) among many others. The Catholic Student's Mission Crusade that Beckman founded while in Cincinnati held its 1935 national convention in Dubuque. His encouragement led to the formation of the CYO-Civic Symphony.

In 1938 is concern for the future of America's youth led him to attend the National Council of Catholic Women meeting in Biloxi, Mississippi. Speaking on the subject of "Art for Youth and the Church" he claimed that 'evil forces' were fostering a type of art 'embodying evil and malicious propaganda' and that the church had to act. He then attacked curren music as "degenerated and demoralizing" saying:

            We permit, if not freely endorse by our criminal indifference
            'jam session,' 'jitter-bugs' and cannibalist rhythmic orgies
            to occupy a place in our social scheme of things wooing our
            youth along the path to Hell! In such a setting, art has been
            robbed... (1)
            

Beckman was tremendously impressed with the Catholic culture of Europe that he had observed between 1904 and 1905 as a young priest in Belgium, Bavaria, and Rome. Beginning with a room of artifacts collected by William Kessler, a priest who taught history at Columbia Academy, Beckman began building a collection of art. By 1936 the entire collection, known as the COLUMBIA MUSEUM OF HISTORY, ART, AND SCIENCE, occupied the lower floor of the Science Hall at the college. After 1938, estimates of the collection's value ranged in excess of $1,500,000. By 1940 there were 170,000 exhibits. Paintings in the collection included examples of Winslow Horner, Rembrandt, Rubens, and Van Dyck. Support for the museum's activities came through the MIDWEST ANTIQUARIAN ASSOCIATION.

America's increased involvement in European troubles after 1935 concerned Beckman who made his first national RADIO sermon about the church as an instrument of peace in February 1935. Later Beckman wrote an open letter, often quoted in the media, to Senator Borah encouraging him in his efforts to maintain American neutrality. At a peace rally on October 20, 1939, Beckman supported the peace stand of his friend, the famous Father Charles Coughlin. The next week during a nationwide radio broadcast with Coughlin, Beckman maintained that Communists wanted the United States to enter the war so that, in an exhausted condition, it would be susceptible to communist thought.

Beckman's speech-making continued. On June 21-22, 1941, the newly constructed Rock Bowl of LORAS COLLEGE witnessed a huge rally sponsored by America First. Beckman's address in which he criticized the congressional repeal of the arms embargo was broadcast nationally. Beckman's last attack on aid to the Soviet Union was made from Cincinnati on November 8, 1941. The political struggle to prevent America's slow but steady entry into war ended with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941.

Beckman's grand plans, reflected in the expanding collections of the Columbia Museum of History, Art and Science, required a great deal of money. It is believed that in 1936 Phillip Suetter of Yreka, California, introduced Beckman to the profits that could be made in GOLD mines using borrowed money. Suetter confided in Beckman that test holes drilled in southwestern Oregon had yielded gold and that with sufficient funding an annual income over one million dollars was possible. Suetter suggested that Beckman could invest cash and raise additional money by issuing interest-bearing promissory notes that would be sold. The archdiocese was further involved in the dubious scheme when Beckman allowed the archdiocese's name to be used on the notes. Beckman's later attempts to stop the sale of these notes were unsuccessful.

Beckman made his first inspection trip to the MINING property in February 1939. In May 1939, Msgr. Peter 0' Loughlin used his power of attorney, given to him by Beckman, to stop all mining and freeze all assets until an accounting of the funds could be made. After an out-of-court settlement was reached, an article in the WITNESS assured parishioners that the matter was only a personal investment of Beckman.

Troubles continued. In September 1942, Suetter was found guilty on five of seven counts of fraud. Beckman was called as a witness for the prosecution. Worse, holders of the archbishop's notes began demanding payment of interest.

By 1942 pieces of the Beckman art collection were being sold. By the end of the year, the cost of the mining adventure to the archdiocese was estimated at $600,000.

On July 21, 1944, announcement was made of the appointment of Bishop Henry P. ROHLMAN as coadjutor archbishop. Beckman continued to reside at 140 Fremont Avenue, but was reminded that the powers of the office he once held belonged to Rohlman. In 1947 the house on Fremont was sold. Beckman left Dubuque to live in Cincinnati.

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Source:

1. "Bishop Hits 'Jitter-bugs," Associated Press, October 26, 1938