Purely Commentary

By PH ILIP SLOMOV I TZ

Prof. Butts' Book—Weapon for Libertarian Ideals

Americans are challenged ''to decide once again whether or
not the historic principle of separation of church and state is an
indispensable element . . . of public policy especially as they
apply to education," Prof. R. Freeman Butts of Columbia Uni-
versity points out in his excellent study of the subject, just pub-
lished by Beacon Press (25 .Beacon St., Boston 8), under the title
"The American Tradition in Religion and Education." .In. a thor-
ough analysis of the question, dating back to the earliest days of
our republic, continuing to a review of the issue as it faces
American communities today, Dr. Butts makes an important
contribution to American ideals by facing the issue frankly and
fearlessly. There is no doubt that all who Will study this book
will become adherents of the movement to protect the basic
American traditions which are embodied in the First and Four-
teenth Amendments of our Constitution.
Prof. Butts puts it bluntly and effectively when he analyzes
the issue of church and state in these terms:

"The public schools are open to all without regard to reli-
gious distinction. Any distinction on religious grounds that is
made within the public schools would surely be unwise, unjust,
and unconstitutional. But when any group voluntarily prefers
to establish its own religious schools and when parents volun-
tarily choose to send their children to such schools, they can-
not legitimately charge discrimination when public funds are
withheld from those schools. It might as well be argued that
because a person prefers to use a private club instead of a
public park, or a private beach rather than a public beach, or
a private doctor rather than a public clinic, he is therefore
entitled to public support because he does not avail himself of
the public facilities. Religious freedom to set up agencies of
religious instruction does not require the use of public funds
to support the exercise of that religious freedom. If a person
prefers to set himself apart from public facilities that are freely
available to him, he cannot charge discrimination when the
public refuses to aid him in thus setting himself apart. If the
American people persist in helping with public funds to build
an ever stronger private school system they not only violate
the principle of separation (of church and state), they also
help to weaken the public school system itself."

Therefore, the eminent Columbia professor asserts that "the
better part of wisdom is for church and state to take separate
roads. When highways are too narrow for heavy traffic, conges-
tions or accidents are bound to occur . . . Sound public policy
should be devoted to the prevention of `tie-ups' and 'accidents'
between church and state in education."
Prof. Butts does not make rash statements. He backs them
up with facts. He presents both sides of the question, quotes
proponents of the idea that the state should support parochial
schools and goes deeply into the history of the effort that was
inaugurated by James Madison and Thomas Jefferson to estab-
lish a barrier between church and state. History speaks for itself
in his interesting volume and his appeal for retention of Ameri-
can principles is sound and effective. The reader of "The Ameri-
can Tradition in Religion and Education" undoubtedly will emerge
a defender of the basic tradition of separation and, at the same
time, an even greater admirer of Madison and Jefferson whose
idealism originally. led to the establishment of the principle of
separation. If the ideal propagated by Prof. Butts and his asso-
ciates—and of the publishers (Beacon Press) who have included
his volume in their series "Beacon Studies in Freedom and Power"
—is to succeed, this valuable book must be distributed widely as
a weapon for: the libertarian idea.
*
*

James Madison

—

Father of Religious _Liberty Amendment

The historic role of James Madison, our fourth President, in
the struggle , for liberty and in establishing the tradition for
separation of church and state, is' well known and is widely recog-
nized. It is being retold whenever the question is discussed. It is
told again and again in Prof. Butts' book. It was related at great
length in the second volume of Irving Brant's tetralogy on James
Madison (Madison the Nationalist) and is told anew, although in
briefer form, in Mr. Brant's latest work—the third in his series—
"James Madison: Father of the Constitution: 178'7 - 1800," recently
published by Bobbs-Merrill Co,, Indianapolis.
Few works produced in recent years have touched upon early
U. S. history as brilliantly as Mr. Brant's monumental study of
the life and contributions of James Madison. His third volume
in the series reveals the sincerity of Madison, his determination
to strive for the highest ideals for this country, the foundations
he moulded for a true democratic form of government. Recog-
nized as the father 'of the Constitution, his name will be remem-
bered for all time especially for his battle to prevent - cluirch
intrusion in government.
Mr-Brant, in his discussion of Madison's proposal of a Bill
of Rights, states that "religious freedom was Madison's first con-

cern, both in drafting his amendments and in the deliberations
which ensued." It was thanks to Madison's efforts that, as the
Constitution's author wrote: "The Constitution of the U. S. forbids
anything like an establishment of a national religion."
The fascinating story of Madison,' as related by Mr. Brant,

reveals an interesting character: a great idealist, a lover of
freedom, a practical adviser to lawmakers, a brilliant lawmaker
in his own right, a power behind government. Madison was not
an orator, he spoke in a low voice, he was not emotional; but he
was brilliant and convincing, with the result that he defeated
the efforts in behalf of national religion by a man as effective
in speech as Patrick 'Henry and he thwarted some .dangerous
proposals by men like Hamilton..
"James Madison: Father of the Constitution" is so tremen-
dous, it is such a brilliant work, that we shall look forward to
the concluding volume in the tetralogy, "James Midison: The
President: 1800 - 1836." Meanwhile we recommend Mr. Brant's
present work most highly and urge its wide distribution. Those
who love liberty will love this book. Read together with Prof.
Butts' study, the reader will be enchanted by the American ideal
for the erection of an impregnable wall between church and state.

Jewish News' History of Detroit
Jewry in Congressional Record

The history of the Jewish community of Detroit,
written for The Jewish News by its editor, was incor-
porated in the Congressional Record on April 27 by
Congressman George D. O'Brien of the Michigan 13th
District.
This history contains the record of the formation
of Temple Beth El, the rise of Shaarey Zedek and the
development of other community organizations. The
complete list of all congregations and their rabbis, as
originally incorporated in the article, appears in the
Congressional Record.

2—THE JEWISH NEWS

Friday, May 5, 1950

Scotch Church Against
UN Rule in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM, (JTA) The
representatives of the Church
of Scotland in Palestine op-
pose the full international-
ization of Jerusalem, a three-
man Church delegation in-
formed Jacob Herzog, director
of . Christian affairs of the
Ministry of Religion.
The delegation asserted
that "any attempt to impose
an international regime on
Jerusalem would turn the city
into a center of political in-
trigue, thus destroying its
character as a Holy City."
The ministers stated that the
peace of Jerusalem would
best be served by the estab-
lishment of an interfaith
commission, under interna-
tional sanction, for the safe-
guarding of the Holy Places in
the new and Old Cities.
A resolution to this effect
will be introduced at the
Church's General Assembly in
Edinburgh next month, the
delegation said.

General Zionists
Reject Ben Gurion.
Coalition Plan

Direct JTA Teletype Wire
to The Jewish News
TEL AVIV — Premier David

Ben-Gurion's latest attempt to
broaden the Israel cabinet failed
Tuesday when t h e executive
committee of the General Zion-
ist Party rejected an invitation
to join the coalition govern-
ment. The vote, which came at
the end of a stormy session, was
51-8.
An official statement issued
by the party later declared that
in the present circumstances it
could not join the coalition.
"Such a merger, after rejeation
of the constructive propositions
which the party submitted in
a memorandum to the premier
cannot possibly contribute to
the 'necessary effort for improv-
ing the country's situation, nor
can it create changes in the
prevailing system without which
improvement is unfeasible," the
statement declared.
It concluded: "The executive
regretfully observes that the
party's basic preparedness for
responsible participation in
state affairs and implementa-
tion of its decisive tasks has
not found a positive response
among the elements responsible
'for Israel state policy."

Police Promise Added
Protection for Athletes

As a result of an outbreak of
fights and beatings following
basketball games, in which a
number of Jewish boys were vic-
tims, Louis Rosenzweig and B.
M. Joffee of the Jewish Com-
munity Council; Mrs. Eli Fried
of the Better Schools Associa-
tion, and William Bell of the
NAACP conferred with Police
Commissioner George Boos and
Deputy Superintendent Law-
rence:
The Commissioner promised
to increase the police protection
around schools and other sites
of ball games. He stated that
cancellation of night games
would help the situation, and
questioned the advisability of
commercializing high school
athletics.

5 Detroit Histadrut
Workers Fly to Israel

Morris Lieberman, chairman
of Detroit's Histadrut Commit-
tc announced that five active
Histadrut workers from Detroit
will fly to Israel this summer
for a three-weeks' trip arranged
by the National Committee for
Labor Israel.
While in Israel, the visitors
will be guests of the cooperative
agricultural colonies, will in-
spect major industrial projects
and will meet with top Histadrut
and Israel leaders.
Plans for the trip will be tak-
en up at a meeting of Detroit's
Histadrut executive committee
Sunday -- -orning, May '7, at the
Labor Zionist Institute.

Detroit Artist Exhibits Paintings

LOUIS REDSTONE'S "PORT IN ALEXANDRIA"

Businessmen, architects and all who might like to paint as
a hobby, can take inspiration from Louis Redstone, whose 40
watercolors and caseins go on exhibit at the Dexter Davison
Branch of the Jewish Center on May 9. Painting on weekends
and precious five and six day vacations, Mr. Redstone presents
a very professional group of pictures.
The exhibit is divided into two sections.- The larger papers
are done on the spot, such as "Drydock," which is vigorous, well
composed and handled with spontaneity. Quite different is •"Port
of Alexandria," here reproduced, for while it has the same spon-
taneity, there is a poetic quality to the scene, the golden colors
of the sunlit harbor sparkle romantically as seen from the prow
of a boat. It is an expert watercolor, both technically and ar-
tistically and is surely a picture seen through the artists eyes.
The smaller caseins, in which medium Mr. Redstone is par-
ticularly successful, are a delightful group, all equally fresh and
rich in color and having excellent selectivity. Good examples are,
"Pont Neuf," where a small red boat floats on blue water, viewed
through the arch of the bridge, "Red Top, Saugetuck" and the
group of romantic landscapes.
The paintings are individual in execution and have a rather
exciting quality, showing Louis Redstone's enthusiasm and talent
for painting.
This exhibition will open Tuesday with a reception for the
artist and will continue through May 24.

Between You and Me

By BORIS SMOLAR

(Copyright, 1950, Jewish Telegraphic Agency, Inc.)

Washington Echoes

Serious propaganda is being conducted in Washington by
influential elements to the effect that Israel should not be in-
cluded in the list of countries eligible for American aid under
President Truman's "Point Four" program .... This, despite the
fact that Truman considers such aid to Israel and the Arab coun-
tries one of the means to achieve permanent peace between the
two . ... Those who seek the exclusion of Israel from Point Four
assistance glibly argue that the Jewish state cannot be considered
a "backward" country . They point out that while there is
little modern industry in the Arab lands, Israel is rapidly becom-
ing industrialized .. . And they claim that' "the new state of
Israel is in no sense typical of the Middle East" because it con-
tains "large proportions" of skilled and semi-skilled labor from
Europe and the United States ... Also because it has access
"to outside sources" for the capital required for developmental
uses .. "Under these circumstances, Israel is not a logical can
didate • for Point Four assistance" is the argument advanced by
some "experts" in Washington . . . They also seem to be greatly
worried over the fate of "the thousands of Arab families displaced
from their homes in Palestine in the process of the creation of the
state of Israel" . . ..Without going into the causes, they bluntly
repeat the Arab line of propaganda that this problem has been
created by "the Machiavellian tactics" of the United States and
Great Britain . . • They advise the U. S. to channel its Point Four
operations through the UN, or to work jointly with Britaih in the
Middle East area in carrying out the Point Four program there.

Communal _Affairs

I am asked by parents who are concerned about the economic
future of their children whether it pays to be trained for Jewish
communal service and where such training can be acquired .. .
Persons in the know estimate that no less than 20,000 men and
women are at present engaged in Jewish social work and com-
munal service on a paid basis . . . Their economic position is n©
worse than that of persons holding municipal or state positions
. . . They include many hundreds of rabbis and teachers in Jew-
ish institutions . . . At present six training programs for Jew-
ish communal service are being conducted . . . There is the School
of Education and Community Administration initiated by Yeshiva
University, an Orthodox institution . . . There are the training
courses for Jewish educators offered by the Hebrew Union Col-
lege, a Reform institution • . There are the special courses of
the Jewish Theological Seminary—a Conservation institution—
for training executive directors for synagogue centers . .. There
is Dropsie College, which is not affiliated with any denominational
Jewish group and which trains students for jobs as superinten-
dents and supervisors of Jewish education on a community-wide
basis . There is the National Jewish Welfare Board which
maintains an extensive program encouraging professional train-
ing for Jewish communal service ... And finally, there is the
Training Bureau for Jewish Communal Service which maintains
courses for community organization and administrative person-
nel . . Institutes for Jewish federations and community council
executives are also being sponsored by the Council of Jewish Fed-
erations and Welfare Funds,

