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 not indicate approval.–Editor.]

Objection to the “charges” levelled against Charles A. Levine by Postmaster General New is voiced by the Washington (D. C.) “Post” of June 8. Says the paper:

“In the light of Mr. Levine’s performance, it is a matter of regret that he should be subjected to criticism. A Wealthy man, he cast aside ease and comfort to take part in a pioneering expedition which required the highest degree of courage. In his adventure he followed faithfully the glorious tradition of his race.

“Since the tribes of Israel were split the Jew has wandered over the earth, always in the forefront of adventure and achievement, always pioneering paths for others to follow.

“This is the tradition which Charles A. Levine carried through. Without thought of danger, without prior publicity, he offered himself as the first trans-Atlantic air passenger. He has earned better reward than the criticism which has been directed against him.”

That Lindbergh, Chamberlin and Levine are all either of foreign origin or have foreign blood in them, is the point emphasized by the N. Y. “American” of Saturday, which writes, in an editorial on the American melting pot:

“Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh, son of a Swedish immigrant who later became a Congressman from Minnesota, flew across the Atlantic to France in a monoplane built by an Irishman, B. F. Mahoney, of the Ryan Air Lines, Inc., of San Diego.

“Again the melting pot stirs, and this time Clarence D. Chamberlin, with an old Yankee name, but an English-born mother, takes the air with Charles A. Levine, a Jew, whose father was born in Poland.”

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS FOR FOREIGNERS IN NEW RULES FOR LAW STUDENTS

The recent charges of inadequate preparation and unfitness of character in the law profession, directed by Herbert Fordham especially against Jewish lawyers, which at the time called forth considerable discussion, has resulted in the promulgation last week of new rules by the Court of Appeals at Albany requiring higher educational preparation by law students. When Mr. Fordham made his charges the Jewish press took him to task, not for urging higher educational requirements but for singling out the Jewish lawyers as objects for his criticism. The rules just issued contain a special clause with reference to foreigners. As quoted by the N. Y. “Sun” of June 9, the new rule reads:

“In no case shall such applicant from a foreign country (unless English be the language of the country) be allowed full credit unless and until he has satisfactorily completed a course of study in English in a secondary school or college approved by the State Department of Education, or in lieu thereof has passed with a minimum standing of 75 per cent. an examination in English held and conducted under the authority of the State Department of Education.”

The “Sun” expresses satisfaction with the new provision, observing editorially :

“Thanks to the action of the Court of Appeals in ordering a year of college study or its equivalent, after October 15, 1928, and two years after 1929, for candidates for the bar, a step has been taken in the direction of saving the community from the blustering ignorance and incompetence of those whose fitness begins and ends with a certificate.”

A similar opinion is voiced by the “Times” of June 9, which remarks:

“The new requirements should help to relieve the profession of the reproach which it has suffered by reason of the ignorance of some who have sought to enter is merely as a gainful occupation. Some day it may be possible to require even a higher preparation–a college degree. But the present order of the Court is a long step, as it is, toward the better state of the profession.”

The “Evening Post” says (June 10) :

“The higher educational requirements will certainly improve conditions. In the practice of law something more is needed than a mere knowledge of procedure. That something more is a thorough training in the ethics of the profession and an appreciation of our fundamental principles of law. Educated lawyers are as essential as educated doctors.”

Seven Jewish students were among the 58 graduates of the Cornell University Medical College who received their degrees as Doctors of Medicine Thursday. Two Jewish students received prizes.