[The purpose of the Digest is informative. Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does not indicate approval.–Editor.] Levine and Official America
It was not so much the honor of Levine as the honor of America that was involved in the action of Washington in ignoring Levine in the congrawlatory message on the successful trans-Atlantic flight of Chamberlin and Leving, declares the "Jewish Daily News" of June 10.
"We do not wish to make too much of a fuss," the paper says, "about the attitude of our country to Levine, but it is undeniable that the Jews of America feel no small disappointment at the attitude of America, especially official America, to the Jew whose feat added to the glory and honor of this country.
"It was unquestionably a bad overisght on the part of the President when he failed to mention Levine in his message of congratulation to Germany, an oversight which hurts and must hurt all Jews in America. But the chief guilt lies with those close to the President who advise him in such matters. Owing to these persons. he commined a deplorable error which has put not only himself but the whole country as well in a regrettable position.
"The impression made by this attitude to Levine cannot be crased. All the explanations do not avail in the face of the fact which speaks for itseli. That fact reveals that while the whole world was enthusiastic at the great feat of the two American fliers. America, official America, recognized only one of the fliers. ignoring the other. who is a Jew. Official America should not have waited for Hindenburg’s praises for the two fliers before admitting that there were two men in the Columbia."
Contending that Levine’s heroism was not a whit less than that of Lindbergh and Chamberlin and that, besides being the first trans-Atlantic air passenger. Levine actually helped Chamberlin pilot the plane, the paper concludes:
"This is the view of the whole world, the whole world except official America which was unable to rise to the height of the occasion as it should have and thus darkened the American spirit of jubilation by smallness and narrowmindedness. Such men as Postmaster Genral New unfortunately lack the vision and broadmindedness necessary for a person occupying his high post. He has exhibited the mental atitude of a small official rather than that of a statesman. But neither he nor any one else can belittle Levine’s feat. No attempt to minimize, ignor or criticize can lessen the greatness of the deed. The officialdom of Washington is not in a position to minimize the achievement.
"We are concerned not about Levine. We are concerned about America."
M. I. Tracy, in his daily column appearing in the New York "Evening Telegram" and in all other Scripps-Howard publications, says:
"When offered $100,000 to fly back home Charles A. Levine said he would consider the matter, but that if he accepted he would give the money to Chamberlin. Meanwhile he has sent back the 250 cancelled stamps which the Post Office Department has been fussing about, and which experts have estimated would be worth $1,000 apiece, as a gift to the Brooklyn Institute of Arts and Sciences.
"He now declares that he and Chamberlin plan to establish a trans-Atlantic aerial service and that he is ready to put $2,000,000 into the venture.
"Such things look like real sportsmanship."
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
