Capital Comment

Capitol Hill is seriously considering favorable action on a resolution introduced by Representative Edward A. Kenney of New Jersey which would grant Dr. Albert Einstein American citizenship. In various congressional circles the proposal is being discussed and it looks as if the noted scientist, who now is literally a man without a country, will be adopted by the United States.

Should citizenship be granted to Dr. Einstein by congressional action, it would be an honor never before accorded by Congress to an alien. The Jewish members of Congress are naturally pleased at the move taken by Representative Kenney. To the representative from New Jersey, the act of introducing the resolution was more than a gesture. He has a deep regard for Dr. Einstein and believes that the noted scientist should be “unconditionally admitted to the character and privileges” of American citizenship.

The Hitler government, in the opinion of many in Washington, made a grave mistake when it issued an order depriving Dr. Einstein of German citizenship. Among those who know Dr. Einstein, either personally or through his work, there is a feeling of resentment against this action. They feel that the United States should go out of its way and through congressional action correct in a measure what they feel is a grave injustice to science and society as a whole.

Those who know the game, are minimizing Representative Samuel Dickstein’s reports of threatening letters and telephone calls demanding that he call off the investigation of Nazi propaganda activities in the United States. Dickstein himself is, from all indications, not losing much sleep over these threats. He is too much of an old-timer to take them too seriously. But that does not mean that he is keeping his eyes closed.

The receipt of threatening letters by members of congress who have important legislative measures pending, or who are interested in certain types of investigations, is nothing new to Capitol Hill. Some members, however, have a good enough sense of news value to help these facts find their way into the newspapers.

The annual Easter egg-rolling event on the White House lawn almost proved to be a singular success this year if it were not for one thing. There was a shortage of Easter baskets!

And there is good reason for that, too. In previous years, most of the baskets carried by the children on Easter Monday came from Germany. This year, things were different. The effective embargo on German-made goods by the Jewish people in this country, brought about a sharp falling off of imports of German baskets. And so when the kids began to get ready for the Easter Monday event, there was a shortage of baskets. Most of the dealers in these baskets had stopped buying from Germany and American made baskets had to be substituted.

Representative Herman P. Koppleman, of Connecticut, has a resolution pending in the house Committee on Interstate Commerce which is attracting national attention. The Connecticut representative is interested in finding out what there is in the milk distributing business of the country which makes prices high to the consumer and returns low to the farmer. His resolution would have the Federal Trade Commission investigate the business operations of the big milk distributors to determine if they employ monopolistic or other practices which are detrimental to the interests of the consumer or farmer.

From present indications, milk is becoming a national issue, especially with the Agricultural Adjustment Administration’s efforts to help the dairy industry. Representative Kopplemann has a large following in the House in favor of Lis resolution for the milk investigation. The next issue of a leading national magazine will carry an important article on the milk problem and in this article Kopplemann’s resolution is supported.

Representative Adolph Sabath, of Chicago, did not know if he was coming or going last Tuesday. The Chicago representative was in the Speaker’s chair presiding over the House of Representative Tom Blanton, of Texas, requested unanimous consent for Representative Foulkes, of Michigan, to make a five-minute speech. Somebody objected, and then the fun began. Blanton asked the clerk to call the roll because there was no quorum present. This was done. Then came cries of objections, a dozen or more brief speeches, more objections, shouts, yells, and general turmoil. Representative Cullen of New York moved that the House adjourn. Representative Sabath recognized the motion, but forgot just what to do to adjourn the House. He consulted the parliamentarian. He, too, had lost track of procedure. Then came a call for the “Ayes” and “Nayes.” Another representative called for a standing vote, then a teller vote. Finaliy Representative Sabath collected himself and ruled that the House had voted 75 to 70 to adjourn. This announcement marked the end of a hectic day for the House and shattered nerves for the representative from Illinois.

CONGREGATIONAL DINNER FOR DR. AND MRS. GOLDENSON

A congregational dinner will be tendered to Rev. Dr. and Mrs. Samuel H. Goldenson this evening in the Isaac M. Wise Memorial Hall in Temple Emanu-El, 1 East Sixty-fifth street. The dinner had originally been scheduled for several weeks but was postponed because of the death of Rabbi Enelow.

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