Dr. William A. Wexler, international president of B’nai B’rith, has sent a special communication to B’nai B’rith officials and leaders throughout the country deploring Senate efforts to block the nomination of Abe Fortas as Chief Justice of the United States, it was learned today. Dr. Wexler said the B’nai B’rith could not remain indifferent to an anti-democratic filibuster now threatening to deny an eminently qualified jurist the honor of becoming the first Jew to serve as Chief Justice of the United States.
The Wexler statement was issued in response to requests for guidance from all sections of the nation. Mr. Wexler deplored the use of the Fortas appointment as a ‘political football.” He said he expects that members of B’nai B’rith, as individuals, will want to inform their Senators immediately of their confidence in Mr. Fortas and their resentment of the tactics used against him.
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