Digest of Public Opinion on Jewish Matters

[The purpose of the Digest is informative: Preference is given to papers not generally accessible to our readers. Quotation does indicate approval–Editor.]

An anti-Semitic attack on the ground that among the concessionaires at the Philadelphia Sesqui-Centennial Exhibition are a number of Jews, is made by the “Dearborn Independent” in an article entitled “Jews Grab Sesqui-Centennial Plums.”

Referring to some unpleasant developments in connection with the arrangements for the Sesqui-Centennial the paper dwells on the recent reorganization of the committee in charge of the concessions and observes:

“The committee remained in office only a short time, but its members performed one great public service. They made public the following list of concessions granted by Abrahams.”

Which statement is followed by the names of 62 firms and individuals, 22 of whom are apparently Jews.

Further the “Dearborn Independent” writes:

“The Sesqui idea was launched by John Wanamaker many years before his death, and initial steps were taken early in 1920. Since then administrations have been changed as a whole at least three times, and virtually all the original promoters are out.

“All are out except Albert M. Green field, the largest real estate speculator in Philadelphia, who is chairman of the Finance Committee, the Mastbaums and the Gimbels and other patriotic Americans.”

SIR JOYNSON-HICKS’ APOLOGIA

While it was not necessary, writes the London “Jewish Chronicle” (April 2), for Sir Joynson-Hicks, British Home Secretary, to repudiate, in the recent interview given to Mr. Meer Grossman, the notion that he is influenced by anti-Semitic bias in dealing with aliens, “he has notoriously failed to recognize in any practical form how the Aliens legislation in England affects Jews with especial hardship, because of their world position.”

“No other people, certainly none to the same extent,” the “Chronicle” points out, “migrate from their native lands, compelled by the persecution there meted out to them, over and above other reasons that impel them in common with their fellow-nationals, to seek the hospitality of some other country. Sir William assures us that he orders the deportation of aliens only in the case of those guilty of some crime. But as a lawyer he must realize how unsatisfactory is such a statement.”

As regards the matter of naturalization, the paper remarks:

“It is gratifying to learn from the Home Secretary that Naturalization has of late been far less restricted than it was a little while ago. It is not surprising, having regard to his evident desire to be just and fair to those desirous of becoming British citizens, that he has seen right to modify somewhat the erstwhile rigid and unamenable attitude of his department on the subject.”