Mrs. Myerson at Bond Dinner Opposed by Local Leaders

Israel Minister of Labor Golda Myerson was the principal speaker here last night at a dinner held by the Israel bond drive over the opposition of the local Jewish community which had instated that active sale of bonds cease for a six-week period during which the Indianapolis Jewish Federation would hold its annual campaign for funds for local, national and overseas need including the United Jewish Appeal.

Bond drive officials reported that more than 650 people attended the dinner and that Israel bonds to the value of $155,000 were sold at the function. Federation officials, who placed the attendance at 500, said that almost all local Jewish leaders refused to attend the function. They said that the situation brought into the open the national conflict between the national bond office and the National United Jewish Appeal over failure to achieve national coordination of the two efforts. They said that Edward M.M. Warburg, general chairman of the U.J.A., and Dr. Joseph J. Schwartz, its executive vice-chairman, had telegraphed Julian Freeman, president of the Jewish Welfare Federation, supporting the community stand. Leaders of the federation addressed a community religious service on Friday, preceding the bond dinner, at which the federation’s position was reaffirmed.

PLAN FOR JOINT SPONSORSHIP REJECTED BY FEDERATION

The federation disclosed that it had rejected a proposal that Mrs. Myerson appear in Indianapolis under the joint auspices of the Bond drive and the U.J.A. “The federation,” it was stated, “could not accept co-sponsorship of its opening Federation-U.J.A. campaign with an organization that was not a beneficiary and was not a philanthropic program.” They also reported that 39 of the largest bond purchasers in Indianapolis had signed a statement condemning the holding of the bond dinner.

Mrs. Myerson told the dinner that “as we stand on the threshold of the fourth anniversary of our independence, the development of our economy is the most decisive factor in our future.” She stressed the need for “investment dollars to give us the machinery, electric power, raw materials for our factories, steel for new railroads–the resources that can make us self-sustaining in a matter of the next six or seven years.”

The Israeli Labor Minister also urged support of the Indianapolis Jewish Welfare Federation campaign in order to aid in reception and care of new immigrants to Israel.

Governor Henry F. Schricker lauded the State of Israel’s efforts to achieve economic security and draw a parallel between its struggle and the struggle of the early American pioneers of 1786. In addition, he paid tribute to Mrs. Myerson as a symbol of the democratic spirit of Israel.

Eddie Cantor, speaking by telephone from Hollywood, paid tribute to Mrs. Myerson as the personification of Israel. City Comptroller John R. Barney, presented her with the key to the city. Other speakers were Henry Montor, vice-president, and Samuel Rothberg, member of the executive committee of the Israel Bond Issue.