I wasn't aware before watching this video, http://www.tv-links.co.uk/listings/9/4802 (JW's exposed), that Beth-sarim ever existed. One of the few references the WT makes of it is in the 1975 yearbook pg.194. They made it seem like the funds weren't taken from the WT but at the same time it mentions that a "direct contribution" was made but doesn't specify by who. Its quite misleading when they make it seem like it was built to benefit Rutherford during his time of sickness and for no other reason. The real reason for building the mansion (not house) was not mentioned because of the embarrassing nature which shows once again the presumptuousness of the late WT President ("Judge") which would have brought greater shame to the WT thereafter had it been publicized in a larger scale. Its amazing to think how many active JW's today have no clue of this place or that it ever existed and for what reasons.
Yeabook 1975 pg.194:
CLOSINGDAYSATBETH-SARIM
By November Brother Rutherford’s critical illness had gained ground and he was compelled to have an operation at Elkhart, Indiana. Thereafter he expressed a desire to go to California. So he was taken to a San Diego residence known as "Beth-Sarim." For some time it was apparent to his associates and the best medical experts that he could not recover.
Briefly it may be said that Brother Rutherford had a severe case of pneumonia after his release from unjust imprisonment during 1918-1919 because of his faithfulness to Jehovah. Thereafter he had only one good lung. It was virtually impossible for him to remain in Brooklyn, New York, during the winter and still carry out his duties as the Society’s president. In the 1920’s he went to San Diego under a doctor’s treatment. The climate there was exceptionally good and the doctor urged him to spend as much time as possible in San Diego. That is what Rutherford did ultimately.
In time, a direct contribution was made for the purpose of constructing a house in San Diego for Brother Rutherford’s use. It was not built at the expense of the Watch Tower Society. Concerning this property, the 1939 book Salvation stated: "At San Diego, California, there is a small piece of land, on which, in the year 1929, there was built a house, which is called and known as Beth-Sarim."