B’nai B’rith Convention Closes with Resolutions on Bias; Goldman Reelected President

Frank Goldman was reelected today national president of the B’nai B’rith at the concluding session of the triennial convention of the organization which adopted a number of resolutions dealing with the fight against racial and religions discrimination in this country.

One of the resolutions approved by the delegates urged the enactment of fair education practices laws and the abolition of the racial and religious quota systems in admission requirements of certain colleges. Another resolution reaffirmed B’nai B’rith support for President Truman’s full civil rights program. The B’nai B’rith membership was urged to exert its efforts to secure the enactment of federal civil rights legislation as well as state laws prohibiting disorimination in employment and in education.

Other resolutions recommended the enactment of legislation declaring null and void any restrictive covenant based on race, color, creed or national origin. They also advocated a public housing program to provide all Americans with decent housing, but free of racial and religious discrimination.

The convention adopted a resolution deploring the enactment of the “watereddown F.E.P.C. bill” by the House. The resolution urged the Senate to restore the provisions of the original bill. The convention decided to withdraw the B’nai B’rith Bowling Association from the American Bowling Congress, unless the latter takes steps to assure the discontinuance of its discriminatory racial policy with regard to membership admissions.

Plans were made at the convention for the opening of a Hillel Foundation at the Hebrew University in Israel. The convention also adopted a resolution urging home rule for the District of Columbia, condemning segregation here, and asking that it be removed as soon as practicable. Another resolution was approved which urged the Senate to ratify the United Nations Convention on Genocide.

Vice-President Alben W. Barkley, in a speech last night at the convention, praised the B’nai B’rith for not only “unifying” the Jews, but for helping to break down the barriers of “misunderstanding, bigotry and hatred” throughout the country. Mr. Barkley said the B’nai B’rith harbors little bigotry and fights to bring about the brotherhood of man.