Roget’s Thesaurus to Drop Use of “jew” As Synonym for “lender”

A one-man crusade against Roget’s Thesaurus’ use of “Jew” as a synonym for “lender” and “parsimony” was crowned with victory today when the publisher and the editor agreed to delete the offending definition from the next printing.

Harold J. Reiter, who had launched the drive with a broadcast letter of protest, had today letters from G.P. Putnam’s Sons of New York and G. O. Sylvester Mawson of Wellesley, Mass., agreeing that his objection was well-taken.

Mr. Reiter, a Chicago sales executive, had sought aid from B’nai B’rith’s Anti-Defamation League in his campaign. He received the support of a congressman, a university professor and others. Through his father, a delegate, he was prepared to take the matter to the World Jewish Congress in Geneva.