Attack on Jews Regrettable, Not Evidence of General Sentiment at Harvard

The recent incident at Harvard University, when a sophomore, George Clark, insulted Jewish students and a Chinese student during an initiation of the Hasty Pudding Club, is not evidence of the general sentiment of the student body, declared a representative of the club and the dean of the sophomore class, to the Jewish Daily Bulletin correspondent.

George Grenville Benedict, the dean in charge of the sophomore class, said he was anxious to correct an erroneous impression. Dean Benedict stated that the university authorities deeply deplored the occurrence of such a boyish prank. The true Harvard spirit, he said, was indicated by the general gentlemanly reaction against the incident, the attitude of revulsion shown by the students present at the scene and by the condemnation of the student body.

“It should be known that Clark, the very next morning after the incident, appeared at my office and most genuinely apologized for his folly, expressing deep regret in person to the students whom he insulted,” the Dean declared. “It should be remembered that Clark was really a victim of the system of initiations but, of course, this certainly does not excuse him for the very ungentlemanly conduct that he demonstrated. It is my understanding that the reports of the incident appearing in the metropolitan daily papers, were in certain respects exaggerated,” the Dean continued.

Similarly zealous about the honor of the university and equally condemnatory of the disrespectful conduct of the one performing his initiation, was George D. Braden, graduate treasurer of the Hasty Pudding Club. Although he spoke informally and unofficially, he stated with firmness, “It is altogether against the policy of the club in any way to further or encourage any such ungentlemanly conduct. It was a disgrace to the honor of our club, which we hold very dear, and shamefully disrespectful to the university.”

“The Hasty Pudding Club is the oldest club at the university,” Mr. Braden continued. “It is a social and dramatic society. It has a long history, to be sure, of fun making and joviality, but it has also an excellent record as to honor and character. I wish to indicate that we certainly do not harbor any malice or ill-will toward anyone. We gladly admit Jews to our membership. We have members of the Straus family, Al and Vic Miller. Izzy Zarakov and others, of whose achievements for the university we are duly proud. We don’t differentiate among prospective members. Men who have done things for Harvard, who have attained distinction and won

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the applause of the student body, are eligible for membership, regardless of race or creed.”

In regard to the initiation, Mr. Braden stated: “Those being initiated are distinctly told not to disturb anybody, except the undergraduate members of the club, who are recognized by the tie. There is no such thing as general interference with any students they may encounter. Because of the unfair and deplorable exaggeration of the recent incident, our club has dropped all public intiations for the rest of the year, to show the club’s protest against what happened. It should be known that this course was adopted by the undergraduate members of the Hasty Pudding Clud immediately after the incident and before any such order could have been possibly given by the university authorities.”