Even Judaism Council. Hit Below the Belt

Purely Commentary Dorothy Thompson 's 'Friends' Lose Ground

By PHILIP SLOMOVITZ

The Story of a Boycott Against an Anti-Semite in 1877
Dr. Jacob R. Marcus, professor of history at Hebrew Union
College, recently spoke at Temple Beth El in Detroit on the subject
of the forthcoming American Jewish Tercentenary celebration.
He made reference to the formation of the Reform movement in
this country and to the activities of the organizer of Hebrew Union
College, Dr. Isaac M. Wise. He then proceeded to relate this inter-
esting historical episode:
"This man, Isaac M. Wise, was a rather remarkable
person. He was also a great journalist, and he had a newspaper
called The American Israelite, which went into every home,
almost every home, in this country. In 1877, he had an interest-
ing bit of news to report to his readers. He reported the fact
that the richest Jew in America, and a man who had been
one of the outstanding bankers helping the Union during the
Civil War, Joseph Seligman, of the firm of Seligman Brothers,
had been refused a night's lodging in the Grand Union Hotel
at Saratoga, the spa in New York state. Why is it Wise and
Jews of this country were so very much disturbed? Not be-
cause Mr. Seligman would not have a place to sleep, because
he could well afford to buy all the hotels in Saratoga and not
miss the money. He was reputed to be worth thirty million
dollars. But they were indignant at the thought that a man
should be discriminated against because of his religion. They
considered that bigoted and un-American.
"What did the Jews of this country do when they noted
this action? They didn't do what our generation has been accus-
tomed to do. In our generation., we do things differently. When
we notice any type of discrimination like that, we call
a meeting of the most prominent Jews, we very carefully lock
the doors, we look under the chairs, under the tables, to see
that nobody is listening to us, and then we do absolutely noth-
ing. These Jews were conscious of the fact that the firm
that owned the Grand Union Hotel was a firm that also owned
the largest dry goods - wholesale concern in America, known
as A. T. Stewart and Company. Most of the Jews in the 1870's
were in the dry goods and the furnishing business. They deter-
mined to boycott that un-American institution. They did not
do it secretly. They came out with notices in the press, and
they signed their names.
"It wasn't long after that, because of this boycott, in all
probability, that A. T. Stewart and Company went into bank-
ruptcy and was bought by a more enterprising and more liberal
businessman by the name of John Wanamaker.
"The Jews of that generation were able to do what they
did because they were a small compact group of about 250,000.
Most of them were Central Europeans, most of them were petty
business people, most of them were members of the Reform
synagogues."
Whom could Prof. Marcus have meant; in his reference to the
door-locking-under-the-chairs - searching Jews of our generation,
if not the ADL and the American Jewish Committee? Is he justi-
fied in his conclusions, and in his assertion that the direct boycott
method of the last century was the more honorable, the more
effective way of dealing with anti-Semites?
The eminent historian may be overlooking one fact: that in
an era when there were only a quarter of a million Jews in this
country it was possible to act unitedly.
While we are convinced that very many Jews will applaud
any criticism of looking-under-the-chairs and of locking-the-
doors when discussing anti-Semitism, we are not so sure tllat
even the elements who use tactics that are distasteful ,to us,
"do absolutely nothing." That's being a bit unfair. Yet, it is easier
to subscribe to action and to reject hush-hush policies.
Dr. Marcus, whom we quote from a stenographic report"of his
address, assumed a bit too much in his conclusion that the Jews
in 1877 were able to accomplish more with a firm boycott because
most of them were Central Europeans and members of the Reform
synagogues. We doubt whether he could prove the claimed mem-
bership and we challenge anyone to prove that the Orthodox were
not in the majority at that time; and is our contention that the
Russian Jews, upon coming here, hating Russian despotism as
much as the Central Europeans may have loved German culture,
acquired as much courage as fighters for liberty as was evidenced
by their predecessors who came from Central Europe. Only the
changing times are responsible for changing approaches and di-
verse results in the battle for human dignity.
Justified Criticisms: A Note to JDA
We have picked up Dr. Marcus' comments to indicate that
there are dissatisfactions with some of the methods purs sued by
the currently-functioning civic-defense groups and with the Joint
Defense Appeal, the fund-raising medium that represents the Bnai
Brith Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Commit-
tee. Since our community's dollars go to the latter through the
JDA, we feel justified in expressing protest against the utilization
of a fund that approaches the $200,000 mark for support of this
committee's magazine whose ideology frequently runs counter to
fair play; whose editors are so facetious in their Jewish attitudes
that they often—too often—offend Jewish sensibilities.
Not so long ago, the late Dr. Milton Steinberg delivered a ser-
mon excoriating the mocking of Jewish customs by Commentary's
writers. The magazine's editor was forced to apologize for one
piece of writing which humiliated the entire Jewish community.
But the tactics of mocking and mimicking Jews continue and an
otherwise great magazine becomes a mockery in itself.
A typical example of this lack of responsibility was a recent
review of Israel Cohen's "Travels in Jewry." The reviewer is en-
titled to his opinion, but not without knowledge of Jewish condi-
tions and history—and he certainly displayed much ignorance on
that score. A Ph.D. degree did not give that reviewer the right
to distort an eminent historian's reports on his experiences in
many countries by speaking of Bialistok as rivaling a bagel. When
Israel Cohen, who is a distinguished Anglo-Jewish leader, wrote a
dignified letter of protest against the distortions in the review of
his book, Commentary's editors permitted the reviewer to continue
the ridiculing act with a response that neither touched on the
issues nor respected the dignity of a veteran leader in Jewish
ranks. We make reference to this incident in order to call atten-
tion to the high price our communities pay for mockery.
If the arbitrary manner in which the Jewish Committee's
magazine functions as a criterion, then the reader will be able
properly to judge the validity of a statement its editor made in
Newark, N. J., recently, about our press, that "community subsidy is
necessary because you can't get a free paper without it." He pro-
ceeded to commend the no-better-than-average Newark Commu-
nity-Council-owned periodical as "either the best or one of the
best" Jewish papers in the country—thus displaying ignorance in
another area: his own field of journalism. What he is trying to
do is to encourage a system of community control under a false
flag of freedom—as evidenced in his own suppression of it—and,.

that our communities will pever . 0 - 1(10s6

As Americans Seek Justice for Israel

By DAVID HOROWITZ

Jewish News Special

UN

Correspondent

pointedly. "I cannot *go along
with Hopkins on that."
As the "Friends" continue to
meet, at Hotel Delmonico, here
at the UN Ambassador Abba
Eban presented a formal com-
plaint to the President of the
Security Council against Egypt
concerning (a) enforcement by
Egypt of restrictions on the pas-
sage of ships trading with Israel
through the Suez Canal, and (b)
interference by Egypt with ship-
ping proceeding to the Israeli
port of Elath on the Gulf of
Aqaba. The Israeli note further
stressed that "these acts con-
stitute violations of the Security..
Council resolution of Sept.
1, 1951, and of the Egyptian-
Israel General Armistice Agree-
ment of Feb. 24, 1949. During
a press conference this after-
noon, Mr. Eban told us: "I do
not remember any moment since
the Arab invasion of Israel in
1948 at which the hostility and
lawlessness of Arab governments
were at so high a pitch over so
wide a front."
And so, possibly within a week,
the issue of the Suez Canal will
come before the Security Coun-
cil.
(In Washington, Eric Johnston
called on Israel Ambassador
Abba S. Eban here this week to
inform him of his plans for re-
sumption of his mission to ex-
plore prospects of a regional
water plan for the Middle East.
Mr. Johnston has submitted to
Israel and the Arab States a
plan for development of the
water resources of the Jordan
River prepared by experts of the
Tennessee Valley Authority. Mr.
Eban also conferred with Harold
Stassen, head of the Foreign
Operations Administration, on
future phases of the United
States grant-in-aid program and
other related economic ques-
I tions.)

UNITED NATIONS. N.Y.—Dor- ' and Jordan, now economically
othy Thompson's "Friends of the dependent on others, would be-
Middle East," gathered at their come self-sufficient. The audi-
second annual convention here, ence did not like this reference
are not faring so well. Attend- to refugees settling down east
ance, less than 200, was poor. of the Jordan.
However, all the known faces
Mr. Eric Johnston had replaced
were there: the Freedmans, the Assistant Secretary of State
Rabbi Bergers along with the Henry A. Byroade, who was ori-
typical McCarthy - Coughlin ginally scheduled to appear at
brand of Americans, such as the the convention. For reasons best
Millar Burrows, the Cornelius known to the State Department,
Van H. Engerts, etc., including, a last-minute change was made.
of course, the usual host of Arab Chairman of the evening ses-
diplomats.
sion, Mr. Engert, gave as one
Irked by the recent an- reason the arrival in this coun-
nouncement of the creation of try of the Turkish President and
the new America-Israel Soci- John Foster Dulles' absence.
ety headed by Maryland's Whatever the reasons 'were, the
Governor Theodore R. McKel- State Department couldn't have
din, the "Friends" got off to picked a better man. Eric John-
a bad start. Everything seem- ston appeared perfect for this
ed to go wrong. The opening specific mission.
day brought two surprises up-
Garland Evans Hopkins, ex-
setting Dorothy Thompson's
ecutive vice-president of -the
applecart. The first came dur-
"Friends," who spoke before
ing the Thursday luncheon
Mr. Johnston, called upon
session when the main speak-
Christendom and Islam to
er, John Cogley, editor of the
unite in the common cause
Roman Catholic lay-publica-
(against Israel, of course).
tion, Commonweal, openly de-
"This was the last call for
nounced King Saud of Saudi
Christians and Moslems to
Arabia for his recent threat - unite," he declared. In an ob-
that he would be willing to
vious tone of blackmail; he
sacrifice 10 out of his 50 mil-
made threats to the West that
lion subjects to destroy Israel.
unless Arab demands are met,
This statement and another
the whole Middle East, already
calling upon Arabs and Jews
turning to Russia, would go
"to bury the past and begin
Communist and enter the So-
anew with the present situa- - 'viet bloc. It was at this point
tion as it stands," created a
that Mr. Johnson arrived and
stir almost breaking up the
he appeared somewhat peeved
meeting.
at what he heard.
The second surprise came dur-
Following the meeting, this
ing the evening session when writer approached Rabbi El-
President Eisenhower's personal mer Berger of the American
ambassador to the Middle East, Council for Judaism and asked
Eric Johnston, admonished and him how he felt about . Hop-
reprimanded the "Friends" on a kins' reference to the Chris-
number of questions. He re- tian-Moslem crusade. "I cer-
minded them, for example, that tainly did not like it," he re-
they were first and foremost plied rather sadly and disap-
American citizens and that they
should therefore consider • and
seek the general welfare of all
concerned in the Middle East.
"The crying need," he:told them
"was- • friendship, understanding
By BORIS SMOLAR
(Copy;ight, 7954, Jewish Telegraphic Agency)
and confidence in people." His
inference was clear, namely, un- Information Please
In connection with the launching of the United Jewish Appeal
derstanding of and confidence
in Israel. Outlining his special drive for 1954 in Miami Beach next month, I received a number
mission in the Middle East as of letters asking for details of the UJA structure . . . The answer
linked with the Jordan Valley is that the UJA is registered as a corporation in New. York,
Project, he made it clear that consisting of 14 members, divided equally between representatives
the scheme when fully 'devel- of the Joint Distribution Committee and the United Israel Appeal
oped would benefit millions of . . . Each year, representatives of the JDC and UIA designate
people_ in all the countries con- campaign officers and a campaign cabinet to lead the Appeal ...
They also elect an executive of 54 members and an administrative
cerned.
Realizing fully the type of committee of 18 members, one-third of whom are nominated by
group he was addressing, Mr. local communities . . . All decisions about the distribution of funds
.Johnston took special pains are reached through annual negotiations between JDC and UIA
not to offend anyone. But his Income received by JDC or constituent agencies of the UIA from
statement was definitive. It other sources—such as foreign countries, intergovernmental agen-
revealed, moreover, the true cies, etc.—is not applicable toward UJA income . . The JDC
Eisenhower position regarding grants more than $1,000,000 each year to the World ORT Union
this whole Middle Eastern for its vocational training program in Western Europe and North
problem: a fair deal for all. Africa . . . UIA makes allocations from its income—on instructions
Mr. Johnston scoffed at the of the Jewish Agency—to various Zionist groups, on condition that
oft-heard charges of Ameri- none of these groups conduct separate campaigns for funds in the
can imperialism as connected United States . . . Last year, UIA allocated $750,000 to the World
with the J o r d a n Project. Confederation of General Zionists, $750,000 to the Mizrachi Pales-
to the
'What's so sinister about im- tine Fund, $181,875 to the Agudah Labor Party, $166,000
United Zionist-Revisionist Party
proving the lot of man?" he Agudath Israel and $90,000 to the
. . . In 1953, the Jewish National Fund, although not a beneficiary_
declared. "You certainly don't
in
the UIA structure, continued to be a beneficiary of the United
want water to go to waste.
Appeal, since it received an allocation from the Jewish
Let's get the maximum out of Jewish
Agency in Israel . . . Each UJA agreement since 1944 has included
the Jordan." Stating that the
a provision setting a ceiling on the traditional collections of the
project has nothing to do with
in the United States ... Last year's agreement provided that
JNF
politics of any kind, the hand- any income received by the JNF from Jewish welfare funds in the
some Eisenhower ambassador U. S. is to be considered income for UJA . . . In the event that the
revealed that he had asked the JNF, through traditional collections, raises more than $1,800,000
heads of the Middle Eastern net, after deduction of expenses not to exceed $300,000, the amount
states he visited whether they equivalent to such access shall be turned over to the UJA by the
could offer a better solution MA, the 1953 agreement slipulated . . . It is, of course, too early
to the problem than the one to give figures on the exact amount raised by the JNF in the U. S.
President Eisenhower had pro- through its traditional collection during 1953.
posed. All agreed, he said, UN Views
"that- there was no better solu-
The United Nations will soon issue a report on Israel's welfare
tion." In reply to a question activities . . . The report, the result of a long study, will contain a
by this writer, he made it number of recommendations for the consideration of the Israel
plain that the present canal government ... Among other suggestions, the report will urge the
work in Israel would in no integration of functions of various groups within and outside the
way infringe upon the general Israel Ministry of Social Welfare dealing with international assis-
scheme of the plan he is pre- tance . . . It will also recommend that the work of the Welfare
senting. On the contrary, he Ministry among the Arab population be encouraged and strength-
said, it would fit in.
ened . . . It will especially urge the Israel government to under-
The Jordan Valley Project, take a unified program of licensing and regular inspection to help
Mr. Johnston told the "Friends," private and public institutions meet accepted standards for care
when developed, would provide
. At the same time, the report will suggest that the Israel Wel-
settlements in the vast areas of fare Ministry reduce personnel at its headquarters by assigning
Jordan for the majority of Arab members of the present operating staff to well-defined but flexible
refugees. Irrigation, he said, units, pending the creation of a complete system of local authori-
would provide three crops yearly ties . . . The Ministry of Welfare will also be urged to reconsider
its present policy of payment of lump sums as _subsidies to volun-
2 — DETROIT. JEWISH NEWS tary agencies and arrange for -a gradual withdrawal of direct
grants.
Fri44i,..fvbruary. 5,1954

,

Between You and Me

