Anti-jewish Bias, Disorders Aired in Polish Senate

The question of economic discrimination against the Jews of Poland and the increase of anti-Semitic disturbances in recent weeks was the subject of considerable discussion on the floor of the Senate yesterday.

A vigorous demand for equality of treatment for Poland’s Jews was voiced by Senator Rabbi Schorr in the course of a plenary session. Equal distribution of State credits and especially the right of Jewish youth to work was asked by Senator Schorr.

Senator Schorr charged that the authorities were laggard in taking precautions against anti-Jewish disorders which, he said, were threatening Jewish life directly.

Describing the economic ruin of the Polish Jews, the Senator declared that they were still loyal and prepared to endure great sacrifices in the interests of building up the State. He concluded with an appeal for government intervention to see to it that “political battles are not fought on Jewish backs.”

Col. Petrazycki took issue with Senator Schorr, contending that the continuous charges by Jews of discrimination were damaging their own cause. He said the Jews are quite privileged, citing in support of this contention their numbers in the institutions of higher learning. Col. Petrazycki also cited in this connection the development of the Jewish credit associations, which were organized with the aid of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee.

Senator Trockenheim, calling attention to a projected moratorium on the debts of government officials, declared that such a plan would work considerable hardship on the already hard-pressed Jewish traders of small means. The senator made an appeal for the annulment of tax debts of long standing.