Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
Political Pot Is Boiling: Myth of
'The Jewish Vote'
It began in Chicago and continues for a while in Chicago, and
from there the heat of the boiling political pots will spread to
the entire land.
There already is evidence of appeals to various nationality
groups for their votes, and there is talk about a "Jewish" and
other group votes.
The Democratic National Committee has named a Nationali-
ties Division, under the chairmanship of U. S. Senator Theodore
Francis Green of Rhode Island, and has selected leaders to di-
rect Italian-American, Polish and Hungarian-American groups.
The battle for votes is on. While friends of Israel are striving
for friendly declarations in the plans of both political parties,
the anti_Zionist (it denies it is anti-Israel!?!) American Council
for Judaism, while arguing against Jewish influences in political
campaigns, is itself seeking to exert pressure upon writers of po-
litical planks not to grant status to Israel in national platforms.
How far can or should a group that has common ties and
cultural affinities go in judging candidates for office? The Fron-
tier recently analyzed the question most realistically when it
stated:
"One of the civil rights of the people of the United States
is the right of individuals or groups to unite on special political
issues. For instance, we assume that there exists no Catholic
political bloc in the country. Yet it would not be 'un-American,'
or an act of political separatism were a group of Catholics in
Alabama to seek the defeat of some candidate for Senator
known to harbor sympathies for the Ku Klux Klan.
"The same reasoning would hold true were Jews to unite
to defeat a candidate for office known to be an anti-Semite.
In such a case, too, it would be an act transcending mere self-
defense, and since those who partake in it feel that they act
in the interests of the country as a whole, they would be justi-
fied in expecting the assistance of their non-Jewish fellow
citizens.
"Even Protestants, who are least susceptible to the accusa-
tion as a political bloc, may sometimes feel they have special
political group interests.
"It would therefore not be strange if a certain number of
Jews—be their number two or two million—felt that it is neces-
sary to oppose candidates for office who are in favor of grant-
ing American funds and weapons to the Arab countries at this
time. Jews are particularly interested that states which re-
fuse to make peace with Israel and plan to attack it should
not be armed. But this consideration does not disqualify them
as citizens who have the interests of the United States at heart,
since it is the duty of every citizen to oppose foreign policies
which he considers to be unjustified, politically immoral or
impractical.
"American Jews have the right to unite for specific political
purposes with Protestants, Catholics, Quakers, Negroes, Slavic
groups, Italians, Labor organizations, Women's Clubs, in ac-
cordance with the requirements of specific situations and the
-general interests of the country as a whole, as these are un-
derstood. American Jews also have the right to unite from time
to time for such purposes—with other Jews. Those who, like
Lessing Rosenwald and his American Council for Judaism. would
grant Jews the first right but deny them the second, pervert
the meaning of Americanism."
Actually, there is no such thing as a "Jewish vote." In every
community, there are Jews who are affiliated with Democrats
and Jews who are active in the Republican party. But when a
basic principle is involved, such as preferring a candidate who
favors liberal immigration or FEPC, or candidates who are friendly
to Israel, Jews are hardly to be blamed for seeking protection for
the downtrodden or for kinsmen who are in dire need.
Insofar as the Politician as Politician is concerned, he does
not differ an iota from the office-seeker of all ages. He will
promise the moon in order to attain a seat in a high elective
station. Shakespeare had an interesting analysis of the man who
makes political promises. Jack Cade, a rebel, is the maker of
vows, in the following from Act IV, Scene II, in "King Henry VI":
Dick: But methinks he should stand in fear of fire, being
burnt i' the hand for stealing of sheep.
Cade: Be brave, then; for your captain is brave, and vows
reformation. There shall be in England seven half-penny loaves
sold for a penny: the three-hooped pot shall have ten hoops;
and I will make it felony to drink small beer: all the realm
shall be in common; and in Cheapside shall my palfry go to
grass: and when I am king, as king I will be,—
All: God save your majesty!
Cade: I thank you, good people: there shall be no money;
all shall eat and drink on my score; and I will apparel them
all in one livery, that they may agree like brothers, and worship
me their lord.
Dick: The first thing we do, let's kill all the lawyers.
Cade: Nay, that I mean to do. Is not this a lamentable
thing, that of the skin of an innocent lamb should be made
parchment? that parchment, being scribbled o'er, should undo
a man? Some say the bee stings: but l say, 'tis the bee's wax;
for I did but steal once to a thing, and I was never mine own
man since.
Cade spoke of "seven half-penny loaves sold for a penny,"
making it a "felony to drink small beer," "all the realm shall be
in common" . . . Doesn't it remind you of "a chicken in every
pot," "a car in every garage," etc.? We do not imply that some
politicians do not turn statesmen, since many office-seekers are
idealists who try—and some succeed—to better the lot of all men.
But more often than not, promises are promises, and right now
we are audience to a great political performance in which his-
tory repeats itself and vows are accepted with a grain of salt.
Tell 'Em to Sign Up or Shut Up I
Those folks who are talking so loud and long about
WHO should be our next President had better get their
names on the registration list or they might as well save
their breath—for their opinions won't count for a thing
on Nov. 4, if they aren't able to vote. Remind them they
must be registered — and that they can easily find out.
When? Where? and How? By phoning the office in charge
of elections at the City Hall.
2—THE
JEWISH NEWS
Friday, July 11, 1952
Bernsteins to Award
Accountancy Prizes
Famed Scientist Sees Israel Bonds
As Aid to Anti-Bioties Industry
—
Prospects are favor-,_
The firm of Bernstein and
Bernstein, certified public ac- able in Israel for the
countants, at 211 W. Congress, establishment of a
will award $100 each February anti-biotics industry, ac-r'
and June for the next five years cording to Dr. Selmani
to the University of Detroit ac- Waksman, famed dis-
counting student who has az- coverer of streptomycin.
tained the highest scholastic While visiting Israel, Dr
standing during his junior year. Waksman shows Mrs.
Milton Bernstein of the firm Waksman a State of Is-
was graduated from the Univer- rael bond, one of the
sity's Commerce and Finance 5500,000,000 Independ-
ence Issue which is pro-
College in 1919.
viding dollars for the
According to Lloyd E. Fitz- establishment of many
gerald, Dean of the Commerce new industries. Factories
and Finance College, the cash which produce anti-
award will be given to the Uni- biotics in Israel, Dr. .
versity and credited toward the Waksman reports, will
student's tuition. The award will find an important-
be accompanied by a plaque giy- source of raw materials
ing visual recognition of scho- in peanuts, many du-,
lastic achievement.
nams of which have;.
A committee consisting of Dean been planted with thei-W'
Fitzgerald, Raymond Zulauf, di- aid of funds invested
rector of the Accounting De - t h r o u g h Israel bonds.. -
partment, and a representative
of the firm, will select the stu-
dent to receive the award.
Israel Gains Control over Potash
Seeks Court Order
On Israel Oil Issue
1.•
Company
LONDON, (JTA) — An agree- shares to the Palestine Pot
ment providing for the sale and
raeli pounds
in debenture
transfer of all assets of the Company
as well
as 390.000 s
of the new Israeli corporati
Palestine Potash Company out- The class "B" founder shar
side the borders of the Hashe- will entitle the Palestine Po
mite Kingdom of Jordan to a Company to 16 per cent of t
ne7 -ly - formed Israeli corpora- voting power in the new
tion, "Dead Sea Works, Ltd.," poration.
has been reached after discus- Fifty-one percent of the s
sions between representatives of in the Israeli corporation • '
the Israel government and the be reserved for the Israel go
Palestine Potash Company, it ernment, according to the
was announced by the Israel nouncement. The remaining
legation here.
percent of the voting stock
corporation
will be
open
The agreement is subject both the
public
subscription.
The
De
to the ratification of the stock-
Ltd., the
will Israel
be gran
Sea Works, from
holders of the Potash company, permission
go
and the consent of the British
ernment from
to extract
salt
government's Ministry of tha minerals
all brine
in
Treasury. It provides for the i Dead Sea within Israel's to
payment of 1,220,000 Israeli! tory.
pounds in class "B" founder
JERSUSALEM. (JTA) — The
Jordan Exploration Company,
whose dire tor is M. Novomeisky,
asked the srae upreme Court
for an ord r i rcing the Is-
rael government to show cause
why the company should not be
permitted to exploit oil pros-
pecting concessions granted it
by the Palestine Mandatory gov-
ernment in 1939. The application
for the order asked the court to
rule before the petroleum bill
now pending in Parliament is
adopted.
The Jordan Exploration Com-
pany received two concessions
for prospecting in two areas,
each 500 kilometers square, on
the western and southern shores
of the Dead Sea. The company,
which says it invested $600.000 in
exploration work, began, opera-
tions after receiving the con-
cessions but was interrupted by
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1952, Jewish Telegraphic Agency,
World War II and by the War
of Independence. The company
recently asked the government Communal Issues
A new and important issue is looming on the horizon
for extension of the concession
American Jewish life . . . It will, no doubt, become one of
but was turned down.
major subjects dominating the Jewish communal scene . .
issue is: Should the communities throughout the country have.
Congress Hears Varied
direct say in the affairs and policies of national and overse
Opinions on Jewish Safety agencies for which they allocate millions of dollars? .. . Are th
entitled to make sure that the millions of dollars they contribu
LONDON, (JTA) — Delegates annually are well spent by the national and overseas agencie
from various countries attending . . . Leaders of the Jewish federations and welfare funds ha
the three-day session of the been requesting, for some time, an opportunity to share in
World Jewish Congress presented formulation of policies of the national and overseas agencies .
optimistic reports on the situa- Now they are bringing this request into the open and inviti
tion of Jews in their respective public discussion on the subject . Their major argument is th
lands.
there is no logic in the fact that while the communities careful
Taking issue with these re- weigh every cent they allocate to local agencies—with a view
ports, Dr. S. Levenberg, Jewish squeezing every ounce of value from it—they are at the same
Agency representative, pointed allocating millions of dollars to national and overseas agenci
out that the situation of Euro- and practically end their relationship when the checks are se
pean Jews is no as secure as out ... The federation and welfare funds leaders claim that th
are trustees for every dollar given by each contributor and
some delegates said.
He asserted that Fascist and merely cash registers for the agencies which receive allocatio
anti-Communist forces are alive . • . They insist that the federations and welfare funds have t
everywhere. "Reactionary ele- responsibility for assuring the best use of the dollars that go 0
ments who went underground at of the communities to the national and overseas agencies, just
the end of the war are beginning they assure it in their own cities . . . They want to check ove.
to raise their heads: we must head costs and duplication as well as how much of the fun
therefore be alive to the dan- received by national and overseas agencies is spent for prop
ganda rather than service . . . They also insist on knowing ho
gers," he said.
Th
the funds are used and what is being accomplished . .
want to see whether the most efficient .methods are developed
Term 'Race' Eliminated from
the national and overseas agencies, and whether the funds whic
Canadian immigration Act
these agencies receive from the federations and welfare funds
hand, lea
OTTAWA, (JTA) — The term concentrated on top priority projects .. . On the . other
that the respo
"race" has been eliminated from ers of the national and overseas agencies argue
of the federations and welfare funds ends with the allot
the Canadian Immigration Act sibility
tion of the funds which they raise ... The difference in the vie
which has been amended and between
the two groups ofleaders is, as one can see, quite su
consolidated by a 74-clause gov-
ernment bill which received its stantial.
•
•
•
final reading in the House of
Inside
Israel
Commons.
The grip of the Orthodox parties in the Israel government
The bill makes a number of
administrative changes in the the Chief Rabbis on the Jewish State is attracting attention in
old act, chiefly in the direction United States ... Especially after the government order prohibi
of giving the authorities more ing the use of taxis and buses on Saturdays . . . Some people
power in handling cases in- this country are of the opinion that the Mapai is giving in
volving subversives and in deal- much to pressure of religious groups in order to keep the gove
ing with deportation cases. A merit majority together .. It is obvious that the religious p
clause which would have estab- ners in the Israel Government—ministers of parliamentarian
lished a quota system for im- are concerned only with religious affairs ... They guard religio
migrants was defeated in corn- affairs vigilantly and jealously, and do not mind much what
done in the fields of economics or politics . This, it is believe
mittee.
here, suits the majority party which is interested principally
economics and politics and little in religion . . . The practi
Mrs. Weizmann Gets Award
result, however, is that the religious parties tend to have the
ZURICH, (JTA) — The golden own way in religious affairs .. . This seems to be true not only
"Cross of Merit" of the Inter- the central government in Israel, but also of municipal admi
national Union for Child Wel- trations . And it is on this point that attention is being fo
fare was awarded to Mrs. Vera by non-religious Jews in the United States . . . Numerous poin
Weizmann, wife of the Israeli questions are being asked, since information received in this co
President, for her work in be- try from various sources in Israel indicates that the majority
half of the Youth Aliyah move- the pepple clearly opposes any rigid Sabbath observanCe and
4
Between You and Me
ment. paralyzing of public services on the Sabbath.