Criticises Federation of Polish Hebrews

While expressing his belief in Haym Salomon’s services to the American Republic, Henry Lewis, writing in the “Jewish Daily For ward,” criticizes the methods which have been employed by the Federation of Polish Hebrews in this matter, Mr. Lewis writes: “Instead of having recourse to Jewish scholars and research workers–New York is full of them–those in charge of the matter entrusted it to professional ballyhoos and barkers; with the result that when these windbags were called upon to make good their tall talk about Haym Salomon, they naturally could not, thereby placing the Jews of America in a ridiculous light. Thus it is ever with us in these days of pitiless publicity and noisy vulgarity.”

In the same vein, the “Jewish Civic Leader” of Worcester, Mass., treats the subject. Speaking of the fund to erect the monument, the paper writes:

“$75,000–enough to rebuild a good part of broken Palestine; enough to erect a large milk station; enough to save hnudreds of starving east-European Jews; enough to educate scores of Jewish youth today growing into manhood completely de-Ju-daised. Enough-but why go further. One could find a thousand needs–infinitely more urgent than a bronze statue to Haym Salomon–to put such a sum to advantage.

“That Jews contributed in every way to the American struggle for independence is a fact not to be denied. The Jews have been an integral part in the slow, hard processing of America. But, and here is a point the Jew forgets too easily, so have the representatives of all races that came to America and called America their home. One does not hear noisy shoutings for recognition from those elements. They sacrificed, forgot that sacrifice, and are again ready to give for their adopted land.

“Would the Polish Federation of Jews honor one of their own, then quietly and with the minimum publicty should they raise a large sum and dedicate that sum to a worthy cause in the name of their patriot-hero.”