Governor Smith Promises State Investigation of Massena Incident

A thorough investigation of the incident at Massena was promised by Governor Alfred E. Smith in a letter to Dr. Stephen S. Wise, president of the American Jewish Congress. Governor Smith’s letter read:

“Albany, Oct. 3, 1928. “Dr. Stephen S. Wise, “President of the American Jewish Congress. “Dear Dr. Wise:

“I have not heard before this hour when your message reached me of the rumor of ritual murder which developed on Jewish Atonement Day at Massena, St. Lawrence County.

“As Governor of the State I cannot believe that this libelous myth has been resurrected and credited even for a moment by any one connected with the service of the state or any other civil service division. I can hardly believe that either the Mayor of Massena or a state trooper summoned a Rabbi to a police station on a religious holiday in connection with an absurd ritual murder charge to account for the disappearance of a child, which, I learn, was found against within a few hours of its disappearance.

“I wish to assure you that I will see to it as the Governor of the State of New York that this matter be investigated in the most thorough manner as to the connection of the state trooper. I have, however, no control over the Mayors of villages. The Public Officers Law provides means of making charges against them.

Sincerely yours, Alfred E. Smith.”

The American Jewish Congress made public yesterday a letter received from Mayor W. Gilbert Hawes of Massena. The letter read in part:

“I regret exceedingly that this misunderstanding has arisen. I hold no ill feeling against the Jewish people of this community and I know that there is no local prejudice or hostility. Our community has been co-operating in a common civic and industrial endeavor here and I hope that the exceedingly pleasant relations which have prevailed here in the past may continue without interruption.

“If I am chargeable with any act or word in this matter which has been offensive to the Jewish people I certainly regret it.”

Under date of September 29, Dr. Wse addressed the following letter to Mayor Hawes. the text of which was made public by the American Jewish Congress.

“September 29, 1928 “His Honor, the Mayor, “Massena, New York.

“My dear Mr. Mayor:

There has come to me a most shocking story from your community, to the effect that as a result of the temporary loss of a child, a charge was brought against a Jewish resident of your city, with the implication that the child had disappeared as the result of a Jewish ‘ritual murder.’

“I am informed that the state trooper who originally made the charge stated that you had been consulted before calling the rabbi of the community to the police headquarters.

“I trust that for your sake that story is not true and that you will find it possible to deny it. In any event, I need hardly point out to you what a hideous thing it is that this ancient and unspeakable libel should be resurrected in our country, with all the incalculable damage that it might do as a result of misunderstanding.

“Taking it for granted, as I do, that you desire as far as possible to repair the hurt that has been done, I most earnestly suggest to you that you do whatever may be necessary not merely to contradict the base rumor of ritual murder, but point out in addition that no intelligent, decent person has ever again any credence to this charge which has been exposed whenever made, and laid to rest time and again by the heads of the Christian churches.

“I should be very glad indeed to have a full statement from you covering the entire affair and also word with respect to the course that you intend to pursue.

“I am Sincerely yours, (Signed) Stephen S. Wise President of the American Jewish Congress.”

The letter of the mayor was not considered adequate apology by the American Jewish Congress.