Bombings of Jewish Centers in Nashville, Miami Find Echo in Senate

Sen. Jacob K. Javits. New York Republican, today warned in remarks on the Senate floor that bombing of institutions of the Jewish faith in the South represented a danger to other groups. He offered new legislation that would strengthen Federal law protecting judges like U.S. Judge William E. Miller of Nashville, who was threatened simultaneously with the bombing of a Jewish community center.

The legal change urged by Sen. Javits would punish “whoever, alone, or in conspiracy with others, by threats, force or intimidation prevents or attempts to prevent a Federal officer including a judge, from carrying out his duties or threatens to injure him because he has already done so.”

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said today the FBI is continuing to observe the situation arising from the bombing of Jewish centers in the South and the threatening of Judge Miller. U.S. attorneys in Miami and Nashville are reporting to Washington on developments.

The Anti-Defamation League of B’nai B’rith has evidence that segregationist groups are planning a south-wide series of bombings such as those which hit Jewish centers Sunday at Miami and Nashville, district ADL director Nate Perlmutter said today. “We are in possession of highly-restricted evidence, shared by the Federal Bureau of Investigation,” he stated.

The more than 900 posts and auxiliaries of the Jewish War Veterans were asked by their national leaders today to contribute to a reward fund to compensate those who provide information leading to the arrest of the dynamiters of Jewish community centers in the South. The reward fund was suggested by the Alexander D. Goode Post of Washington, which made the first cash contribution.