Cleveland Forms Inter-faith Committee

Cleveland is to have an inter-faith commission that will interest itself in solution of social problems and in interpretation of the social programs of Catholic, Jewish and Protestant church groups, according to the program of the local Conference of Jews and Christians made public at a meeting at the Mid-Day Club.

This program was announced by Rabbi Barnett R. Brickner of Euclid Avenue Temple, who served as chairman of the meeting and named eighteen prominent Clevelanders to the commission. Seven more will be appointed later.

Members who have so far accepted places on the commission are Alfred A. Benesch, Newton D. Baker, E. M. Baker, Louis Bing, Henry M. Busch, Thomas F. Byrne, Dudley S. Blossom, A. C. Ernst, Rabbi Harry S. Davidowitz, Max S. Hayes, Mrs. Siegmund Herzog, John F. McCarthy, F. F. Prentiss, Bishop Warren Lincoln Rogers of the Episcopal Diocese of Ohio, William J. Towell, Dr. Robert E. Vinson, Dr. William E. Wickenden and Timothy Shea.

Creation of the commission is an outgrowth of meetings of representatives of the three faiths in the last year. The group was first called together under auspices of the Adult Education Association. It later decided that Cleveland was ready for the type of social action now being planned, according to Rabbi Brickner.

A BUFFER IN STRIFE

He further said the commission was an answer to those who ask what religion has to say about the present social crisis, that it would serve as a buffer in matters of social strife, and that one of the first activities would be a seminar for study of the social programs of the three faiths.

Newton D. Baker, one of the cochairmen of the National Conference of Jews and Christians, prophesied great usefulness for the commission in a brief talk before the meeting. He said the purpose of the national conference was largely the elimination of prejudice, but that he believed Cleveland was already beyond that stage and ready for social action and cooperation.

Bishop Rogers spoke of the sag in interest in the larger things today. He believed the new group would help and stimulate new interest in social progress by giving cheer as much as averting danger.

Rabbi Brickner, Father Tracy and Dr. Philip Smead Bird, pastor of the Church of the Covenant, are to serve as co-chairmen of the conference which sponsors the commission. This conference is officially related to the naional conference, of which Mr. Baker is a co-chairman.