America,' ,eivish Periodical ea&
Friday, September 27, 1946
1
CLIFTON AVENUE - CINCINNATI 20, 01110
DETROIT JEWISH CHRONICLE and The Legal Chronicle
Calvin Coolidge College Confers
Degree on Publisher of Advocate
RECIPIENTS OF DEGREES—Maj. Catherine E. Falvey (left) of
the WAC, who served on the legal staff at the Nuremberg trials,
and Dr. Vexander Brin (right), Publisher of the Boston Jewish
Advocate, who were awarded degrees by President A. Chesley York
(center) at commencement exercises of Calvin Coolidge College.
BOSTON, Mass. ((Special Dis-
"Alexander Brin — Editor,
patch) — The degree Litt. D. Publisher, Educator, Author,
(Doctor of Letters), the highest
honor within the gift of Calvin
Coolidge College of Liberal Arts,
was awarded to Dr. Alexander
Brin, editor and publisher of
The Boston Jewish Advocate
and senior member of the Massa-
chusetts Advisory Board of Edu-
cation, at commencement exor-
cises held in Boston on June 5,
1946. The degree was conferred
In the presence of a representa-
tive gathering of educators, civic
and religious leaders of all races
and creeds, attending the 35th
annual commencement exercises
of Portia Law School, Calvin
Coolidge College and Calvin
Coolidge Law School.
Dr. Brin also delivered the
commencement a d d r e s s, his
theme being "Education: Yester-
day, Today and Tomorrow." The
citation to Dr. Brin, read by
Dean A. Chesley York, follows:
Humanist, for nearly three de-
cades the guiding light of a great
and influential newspaper dedi-
cated to the promotion of friend-
ship and better understanding
between peoples of all racial, re-
ligious, and political groups; in-
terpreter and exemplar of the
highest ideals of true American
citizenship, who by his pen, voice
and eminent public service in
many fields of National, Inter-
national, .State and municipal
affairs has ever championed
those eternal principles of jus-
tice and liberty upon which our
great country is founded, and to
which his own colorful and use-
ful life is a glowing testimonial;
a leader of men, an inspiration
to youth, a beacon of hope and
guidance to the underprivileged
and oppressed, a vigorous advo-
cate of equal educational oppor-
tunics for all."
mission's office one day and said representative, and the Investiga-
he wanted to file a complaint tion was begun. The duty of the
charging religious bias against a
certain company. He explained
that he had answered a news-
paper advertisement by telephone
and was asked whether he was
Christian or Jewish. He replied
that he was Jewish. Next he was
asked his age. "Twenty-six," he
replied, and was told that he was
too young. "I don't believe that
was the reason," he reported.
He filled out a formal complaint
form, setting forth all available
information, and it automatically
came to my desk as chairman.
Because the Commission had juris-
diction in the matter, I immedi-
ately assigned the complaint to
one of the commissioners, who
then assumed full charge of the
investigation of the case. After
the commissioner had examined
the complaint, he called in a field
representative was to find and as-
semble pertinent facts by inter-
views, examination of company
records, and other methods.
After a rude reception by the
company superintendent and an
Indirect refusal by the president
to see him, the Commission's rep-
resentative reported that he could
make no headway with the case.
More drastic action obviously
was needed. We sent a letter to
the president of the company, re-
questing a meeting, and one was
granted. The commissioner met
with the president and explained
the law to him. An appointment
was made for the investigator.
But again there was little success.
After a half-hour's conversation.
during which no facts of impor.
tance were elicited, the president
refused to open the company's
Page Thirteen
books as authorized by the stat- sloner In charge of the case.
swat. We do our best to give
ute, and said he would answer no
We have found that conference them just that, but, at
more questions.
times, we
and conciliation work well, that
find our hands tied by regula-
Again the investigator reported this method not only eliminates
tions other than those imposed by
failure, and added that he was much delay, cuts red tape, but
being treated as a spy. The Com- also protects the employers from the state. In one case which I
particularly recall there was an
mission turned to new tactics. An- unfavorable publicity which might
other letter was sent. No reply. result from unwarranted com- outright violation of the law but
we were forced to rule against the
A registered letter was mailed but plaints.
complainant.
was returned, the receipt unsigned.
Not all of the complaints re-
Born in Germany of one Jewish
Finally the Commission sent a ceived are legitimate nor do all
parent, the man fled to the United
telegram, setting a definite date
of them come within the jurisdic-
for an appointment. A letter from tion of the Commission as author. States when Hitler took over the
the company's attorney stated the ized by law. Almost every day we Reich. Later he became a natu-
president believed he "was being receive letters from people who ralized American c it i zen and
persecuted and will have nothing complain of imagined violations of worked hard at his trade. He was
further to do with the Commis- civil rights and demand that we a good workman and had never
given his employers any trouble,
sion." That was what he thought. do something about it.
yet
he was refused employment
With infinite patience the com-
One rambling letter from a
missioner made another telephone woman describing herself as "an where he knew there was a va-
call, explaining the pdwers of the elderly homebody" expressed trepi- cancy after having been asked
Commission, Its right to subpoena dation about the "Bill of Indis- where he had been born. He im-
books and records and witnesses. crimination." She wanted to know, mediately requested our help, filing
a complaint against a war-produc-
That finally did it. The presi- she said, if that "means that Ne• tton plant .
dent agreed to open his books to groes can live in my neighborhood,
"They asked me where I was
the investigator, who discovered and I am against it."
born," he told the Commission.
that there was no discrimination
Some come from cranks, like "When I said 'Germany,' they
apparent in any of the company's the profane letter from a self.
employment activities, but that the described "perfect lady" who de-
employer was just stubborn about manded that the law be set "on a
what he considered government little black so-and-so who fought
interference with his affairs.
my little Albert and made his nose
Had the company continued its bleed." We would have liked to
obstinate stand and refused to co- suggest that she have little Albert
operate with the Commission, it take boxing lessons or else keep
would have been necessary to or- off the stredts, but instead we
der a formal hearing—none have wrote and informed her that the
been held so far — at which we case did not come within our
could have forced the company province.
through subpoena to report thor-
Despite these odd complaints
oughly on its methods of hiring, which come to the offices, most of
firing, and promotion. Such a the cases brought to our attention
hearing would be before three are serious, made by sober-minded
members of the Commission, not people who understand the law
Including the original commis- and expect just and honest treat-
ROSH HASHONAH
GREETINGS
and
BEST WISHES
to
DETROIT
JEWRY
TO THE MANY USERS OF
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ROSH HASHONAH GREETINGS
GREENBERG
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1401 WASHINGTON BLVD. BUILDING
CADILLAC 0726-0727
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