Officials of Two Yiddish Dailies Say Their Papers Have Adapted to Changing Times

Arthur Jacobs, publisher of the Day-Morning Journal, reacted sharply today to the intention of Youth for Yiddish to picket (as well as the Jewish Daily Forward’s) his editorial offices over allegedly “antiquated” content, style and orientation. “I would like them to come in and publish the paper and pay the bills,” he told the Jewish Telegraphic Agency. If they were willing to accept the “responsibilities” of a publisher, he would sell the paper to them “in a minute,” he said. And “if they want to close the paper down that’ll suit me fine.” Mr. Jacobs, a lawyer who said he has published the Journal for years at a loss said he had “enough problems” without having to involve himself in costly spelling variations. He said he could not give an age breakdown of his readers. The publisher added that Youth for Yiddish–Yugntruf–had made no effort to discuss their grievances with him, and that their written demands listed individual names but no identifications, addresses or phone numbers.

The flyer sent to JTA announcing the picketing planned for today, Friday and Sunday listed a Bronx address but no phone. According to the telephone company, the only name at that address is a Mordkhe Schaechter. He could not be reached for comment. His flyer identified Yugntruf as “an organization of Yiddish-speaking high school and college students who are interested in the survival” of the two papers. Moshe M. Crystal, editor-in-chief of the Forward, said he is not opposed to peaceful demonstrations “for a good cause.” The fact is, he noted, “that the Forward, through its history has modernized its spelling. We would change it further but our readers don’t want further change.” In an article in today’s issue of the Forward, Joseph Mlotek, director of the education department of Workmen’s Circle, declared that love for Yiddish should be combined with “love for Jewish life.” He said Yugntruf did not have this approach and called on them to engage in more productive and more practical work in the Jewish community.