American Automobile Assn. Asked to Act Against Hotels Practicing Bias

The American Automobile Association has been asked by the Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith to withdraw its “AAA seal of approval” from hotels, resorts and motels which deny accommodations to Jewish guests, it was announced today by Henry Schultz, ADL national chairman.

Charging that “many individuals of Jewish faith, relying upon AAA listings and recommendations, have been subjected to humiliation and embarrassment, “Mr. Schultz said in a letter to the American Automobile Association that the AAA, which has more than 3,000,000 motorists enrolled in its state-and-regional affiliates. “should lend an expressive and vigorous voice to the efforts being made against discrimination by hotels.

A similar ADL request was made a year ago, but the association refused to take action then. Its policy is to authorize places of public accommodation to display and advertise the AAA shield provided their general appearance, cleanliness, convenience and quality of service meet the association’s standards. Failure to include a requirement that quest policies be non-discriminatory has brought many complaints from AAA members who are Jewish, ADL declares.

Mr. Schultz cited a recent ADL survey which showed that three of every ten AAA approved places in the State of Michigan barred Jewish guests. “The juxtaposition of the AAA symbol with religious discrimination inevitably taints your great association, ” he told the AAA. He said that two AAA affiliates, the Automobile Club of New York, and the Connecticut Motor Club, support ADL’s view; both groups have gone on record condemning religious bias by hotels and resorts.