Purely Commentary
By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ
the American Spirit Is Stronger Than Guilt by Accusation
Prof. Albert Einstein advocated the - adoption of the Gandhian
principle of non-cooperation by intellectuals who are confronted
by Congressional investigating committees. He urges refusal to
testify and suggests,that an intellectual "must be prepared for jail
and economic ruin in short, for the sacrifice of his personal wel-
fare in the interest ' of the cultural welfare of his country."
The eminent scientist and "incorrigible noncomformist" re-
ferred to Congressional investigations as "this kind of inquisition"
which "violates the spirit of the Constitution."
Adopting the same formula which he recommended when he
advocated pacifism and resistance to war, in his advocacy of
non-cooperation, Dr. Einstein wrote to William Frauenglass, a New
York teacher:
"If enough people are ready to take this grave step they
will be successful. If not, then the intellectuals of this country
deserve nothing better than the slavery which is intended for
them."
What is the position of this country in the face of "inquisi-
tions,"—to use the description given the investigations by Prof.
Einstein?
When the President of the United States sees fit to condemn
destruction of books, asserting, as Mr. Eisenhower did a few days
ago, that even Communist writings must be studied in order that
we may know whom and what we are opposing by our established
policies, we have reason to derive courage from the existence of
an attitude that must, in the long run, survive the "inquisitions."
Vastly more important than the President's speech is the inter-
pretation given it by newspapers and radio announcers: that it
was a repudiation of McCarthyism. It is a recognition that Mc-•
Carthyism constitutes a menace to democratic living.
Our Troubled Citizens and Our Militant Newspapers
There are other proofs that we are not licked in the fight
for rational thinking, normal living and democratic idealism.
While many American newspapers have fallen prey to the men-
acing attacks on our liberties in Washington—let us hope that
this menace is spearheaded by a handful of misguided legisla-
tors— there are enough courageous editors and newspapers to
give us hope and to inspire new courage in the battle for freedom.
Let us take as an example some letters from readers to the editor
of the Christian Science Monitor. In a single issue of that splen-
did newspaper—on June 5—in the section headed "The Reader
Writes," the letters of which were described under the major
heading "Of 'Witch Hunting' and Basic Freedom," the Monitor
published this communication, which commented on an earlier
editorial, from Mildred Morrison of Dover, N. H.:
Elect Harry Yudkoff
State ADL Chairman
Harry Yudkoff, -a past presi-
dent of District Grand Lodge
No. 6 of Bnai Brith. has been
elected chairman of the Michi-
gan regional advisory board of
the organization's Anti-Defa- '
mation League. His election
was part of the
League's annual I
meeting, h e 1 d
recently at the
Statler Hotel.
T h e League
voted also to
conduct a study
of the relation-
h i p between
church and
state in Michi-
gan in view of
Yudkoff
t h e increased
activity of missionary societies
in encouraging school distribu-
tion of sectarian. Bibles.
The resolution called for a
complete investigation of Bible
reading in the schools, distribu-
tion of Gideon Society Bibles,
released time, teaching by mem-
bers of religious orders and
other relationships involved in
the subject.
Yudkoff, who assumes re- -
sponsibility for charting the
ADL program . in Michigan, has
been a board member of Uni-
versity of Michigan Hillel Foun-
dation, member of ADL's na-
tional community service com-
mission and a member of the
national finance committee of
Bnai Brith.
Adlai Stevenson Sees
Israel Immigrant Camps
TEL AVIV, (JTA)—Adlai Stev-
enson, a guest of Israel for the
past few days, declared that
"after visiting your immigrant
camps and your wonderful en-
terprises I will return home with
a better understanding of your
problems and difficulties and
will be able to explain them to
my people."
Stevenson made his remarks
at a reception in Tel Aviv ten-
dered by ZOA. House and the
Israel -American Friendship
L e a g u e. Stevenson expressed
the hope that on his next visit
to Israel he would find an Is-
ra,el-Arab Friendship League in
existence in the Jewish State.
Foreign Minister Moshe Shar-
ett, who was present at the re-
ception, stressed that it was an
honor for Israel to be able to
welcome its distinguished guest,
In our troubled days, it takes a lot of courage to write in this whom the Foreign Minister
fashion, and it takes equally as much courage to publish such called "a great son of the great-
est democratic nation in the
a letter.
Paralleling Mildred Morrison's letter is a communication from world."
Mr. Stevenson suggested that
Jerome Cady Schneider of London, who challenges the Monitor:
What is the authority of these many investigative commit-
tees? I thought Congress only had the right to investigate when
said investigations were with intent to legislate. What are they
going to legislate regarding the press? Who gives them the right
to cross-examine with no recourse to right of the individual
being cross-examined?
Is it a crime to be a Communist or a "pink" (whatever
that is)?. If it is a crime, why do not the courts try the people
accused of crime? If it is not a crime—may anyone be cross-
examined in any beliefs or thoughts someone says he holds?
Who has the right to accuse? Who says the accused shall be
_ heard and believed? _
" .
I have not the slightest desire to be a Communist but I do
not see how you can' control and legislate people who do want to
be Communists. If it is not a crime but a stupid and unconven-
tional and unpopular (and even dangerous) belief, why in the
name of common-sense and sanity don't we try to make them
prefer democracy—and I contend that all the Jenners and Mc-
Carthys in' the world would not make one Communist desire to
become a go-od member of a democratic society. To the contrary,
I should think they (Mc. and J.) would make people think there
is too little difference between the two systems (communism
and democracy) to matter.
The question now facing Americans, it seems to me, as im-
portant in its timeliness and pertinence to national security as
that of Communist infiltration into the critical areas of Ameri-
can life, is whether we are not being asked to give tacit ac-
ceptance to an active program of intolerance quite as subver-
sive as any subversion which it sets itself up to cure.
a meeting of Israel and Arab
Premiers would constitute an
important step toward Middle
East peace and stability.
He said he was rot impressed
by Arab readiness to participate
The editor's reply interests us primarily. The Monitor editor's in such a meeting, but insisted
that both factions hold a normal
note to Mr. Schneider states:
The record of this newspaper's opposition to "guilt by ac- desire for normal relations, al-
cusation" and the regimenting of opinion is sufficiently long though a deep feeling of hostil-
and clear, we believe, to require neither defense nor elaboration. ity exists towards Israel among
In fact, we have so often warned of the danger in this kind Arabs. He urged the U. S. to aid
of subversion that some good people, deeply preoccupied with in stabilizing the region.
exposures of other subversive activities, have misinterpreted our
concern as a lack of awareness of the Communist threat, al-
though our record of combating communism is also long and
clear.
Let no one permit this newspaper's preference for the rea-
soned approach to obscure the fact that it stands foresquare
against attacks on basic freedoms whether from radicals of the
Left or extremists of the Right.
This is plain speaking. We repeat that as long as editors
will face issues squarely and unafraid, our democratic status is
secure. We believe there are many Americans who will share the
viewpoint of Prof. Einstein and there are even more who will up-
hold the hands of the more conservative- editor of the Christian
Science Monitor. By refusing to yield to panic, libertarians will
surely enlist the support of more and more Americans, against
"inquisitions" and for democracy, as time goes on. There is a
battle for justice—and it is far from lost.
Conservative View and Dr. Einstein's Service
It is not necessary to agree with Dr. Einstein entirely in his
advice that intellectuals—and it could also apply to all others—
should refuse to reply to 'Inquisitors." The New York Times
makes a good point when it states that Dr. Einstein has gone' to
an opposite extreme from McCarthy and that "two wrongs
never did add up to' one right." 'Indeed, as the Times writes,
"the answer does not lie in defying the law." And we are in-
clined to concur with the Christian Science Monitor's view, in
evaluating "The Fifth Amendment Issue," that: "We still be-
lieve the best course for a. witness who believes himself inno-
cent is to protest but answer."
But Dr. Einstein's statement has rendered this service: it
has challenged the thinking of people on the issue and by dis-
cussing it we shall come nearer to fair action and a square deal.
Histadrut Cash Drive
Progresses Favorably
The Juggler' Is Powerful Film
Depicting Israel and Her People
Kirk Douglas' acting, the
scenery of Israel where the film
was made and its interpretation
of the idealism of people build-
ing a home for the homeless,
combine to make a great film
of "The Juggler," which fea-
tured the Madison Theater pro-
gram last week. -
This story of an escapee from
a Nazi concentration camp,
where his wife and children
were murdered, who saw an
enemy in every policeman, who
attacked a Jewish police officer
and fled the scene, believing ne
had killed him, is deeply mov-
ing, well acted, excellently pro-
duced. The hero, Hans Muller
(Kirk Douglas) finally finds
haven in a colony, where the
girl he loves induces him to
stand trial, to become a mem-
ber of the group and to partici-
pate in Israel's upbuilding.
The scenery—Haifa, its envi-
rons, the colonies in Israel—
adds to the impressiveness' of
the film. The love shown by the
pioneer colonist for the settle-
ment's cattle, the natural joy
of the children, the cooperative-
ness of the state builders, re-
flect the miracle of Israel's rise.
"The Juggler" is a film not to
be missed by all who wish to see
the emergence of a state, at the
hands of oppressed people, in a
magnificently produced movie.
2
—
DETROIT JEWISH NEWS
Friday, June 19, 1953
Between You and Me
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copyright, 1,53, Seven Arts Feature Syndicate)
Zionist Issues:
The American Zionist movement is facing' a major decision
which will provoke nationwide discussion . • . The issue is: Should
the Jewish Agency be expanded to include leaders of non-Zionist
groups, as was the case in 1929 when the Agency was enlarged?
. . . This issue is coming to the fore in view of the fact that Israel
P remier David Ben-Gurion and Agency chairman Dr. Nahum
Goldmann—as well as other, top Israel personalities and leaders
of the World Zionist movement—are strongly advocatinc , inclu-
sion of non-Zionists in the Jewish Agency . .. The matter was
presented to leaders of American Zionist groups at a meeting' in
New York at which Dr. Goldmann outlined the reasons for bring-
ing non-Zionists into the Agency . . . While ZOA leaders oppose
the plan, other American Zionist groups seem to favor it, at least
experimentally . . . A decision on this issue will be adopted at
the plenary session of the Jewish Agency executive this month.
. . . Meanwhile, Labor Zionist groups decided to affiliate with the
Jewish Labor Committee from which they have remained aloof
all the years of the Committee's existence . . . The move was
made with a view to strengthen the position of the Jewish Labor
Committee when -it speaks on matters concerning Israel . .. How
the movement to bring the non-Zionists into the Jewish Agency
will affect the contemplated American Zionist Assembly, to be
convoked by the American Zionist Council, is not clear to any Of
the Zionist leaders . . . Plans are being mapped to have the
Assembly take place during the week of Hanukah . . Each
Zionist group in the United States will elect delegates to the
Assembly which will be a kind -of an American Zionist Congress
,fashioned after the model of the. World Zionist Congress .
This will be the first time in the history of the American Zionist
movement that all Zionist groups in the country will meet in.. a
united body and not in separate conventions.
Students' Season:
With the graduation season approaching its end: an inter-
esting picture • emerges of the prevailing goals among Jewish
students attending American universities and colleges .. . Up to
World War II, about one-quarter of the approximately 200,000
Jewish students in this country were engaged in studying law . . .
Another 25 percent studied dentistry . . . More than 15 percent
studied medicine, and over 20 percent took up pharmacy . . . The
picture now is completely changed . . . It seems that American
Jewish youths are no longer keen on becoming doctors, lawyers,
or dentists . . . The tendency now is to become an engineer, a
physicist, or a chemist . .. At the start of the "atomic age," a
young engineer or scientist has better economic prospects than
a young lawyer or doctor . . . In fact, a study conducted among
2,300 young Jewish lawyers established that about one-half of
them have an income of no more than $3,000 a year .. . No
wonder, therefore, that the number of Jewish youths studying law
is now about 10 percent less than in the pre-war period . . In
the medical colleges, too, the proportion of Jewish students is
smaller today than in the pre-war years, and this is the case
with students attending schools of dentistry and pharmacy .
In the latter cases it is estimated that there are 10 percent less
Jewish students than in the pre-war period . . . This, despite the
fact that the number of non-Jews studying medicine, law, den-
tistry and pharmacy has increased.
*
*
Facts and Figures:
Two-thirds of all the 200,000 Jewish students in this country
attend only about 50 universities and colleges of the several
thousand institutions of higher learning in America . . . There
are at least 500 schools of higher learning in America where not
a single Jewish student is registered . . . This does not include
theological institutions or the more than 100 Negro schools .
Many of the schools having no Jewish students would like to have
Jews, and some of them are even offering special scholarships to
attract Jewish students . . . However, they are located in small
towns, or in sections of the country where the Jewish population
is very small ... On the other hand, it is estimated that one-half
of all the Jewish students in the United States study in New
York .. . This is because the Jewish population of New York
constitutes about one-half of all the Jews in America, and also
because the four New York municipal colleges offer tuition-free
education . . . In New York's City College there are about 80
percent Jews among the 22,000 students . .. In Brooklyn College
Jews constitute 90 percent of the 14,500 students . . . At Hunter
College, Jewish students constitute about 60 percent of the
11,000 member student body . . . At New York University—a tui-
tion school—the 13,000 Jewish students make up 45 percent of
the student body . . . Their number is also large in Columbia
University, Queens College, New School for Social Research, Cooper
Union, and other New York institutions of higher education . a
In Chicago, Jews constitute 17 percent of all students of the
University of Chicago, about 12 percent at the University of
Illinois, and about 10 percent at the Northwestern University ,
They constitute 12 percent at Boston University .. . In Philadel-
phia they constitute 22 percent of the -Temple University student
body and 20 percent at the University of Pennsylvania . . They
The cash campaign launched
by the local Histadrut Commit-
tee is reported proceeding fa-
vorably. Response by contribu-
tors has been gratifying, with a
number of outstanding 1952
pledge balances also being re-
deemed in the process.
Societies, family and social
groups are in the vanguard in
clearing the accounts books. In-
cluded is a social group com-
posed of Messrs. and Mesdames
Frank Kravitsky, Abe Schein-
gold, Sam Krause, Joseph Gaum,
Harry Goodwin, Bela 'Bock,
Shapasnik, and Abe Rosenstein.
The Detroit committee, in co-
operation with the management
of Far,band Camp, Chelsea,
Mich., have declared Sunday,
July 19, "Histadrut Day." The
outing provides Detroiters with
an opportunity to play host to
friends from Flint, Pontiac,
Windsor, Ann Arbor, Grand are 15 percent at the University of. Pittsburgh and abOut 12 per-
cent at the University of Michigan.
Rapids.