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Johnson Lauds Jews in Nra in Reply to Critics

January 23, 1935
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In discussing his much publicized quarrel with Donald Richberg in an article in this week’s Saturday Evening Post, General Hugh S. Johnson, former NRA head, not only ridicules the charge that he had appointed too many Jews to office, but takes occasion to praise his Jewish subordinates in highest terms for their ability and loyalty.

After telling how Mr. Richberg was appointed and the criticism levelled at him for his choice, General Johnson says: “It was also asserted that I had appointed too many Jews to important posts, and Mr. Richberg was cited against me on that score too.

“Just for the sake of record, Mr. Richberg is not a Jew. If he had been, it would have made no difference to me. I tried to get the best staff I could persuade to serve, and I did not stop to inquire about whether they were Jews or Gentiles. I had several able Jews, but they were a very scant minority and every single one of them did an outstanding job. Not one was either disloyal or self-seeking.”

The Castilian city of Escalona is said to have been named after Askalon in Palestine.

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