Hays Distinguisher Between Employing “jews” and “avowed Zionists” in State Department

Drawing a distinction between “a Jew” and “an Avowed Zionist” in matters closely concerning Palestine in this country, Arthur Garfield Hays, special counsel for the American Civil Liberties Union, today clarified, in a communication to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, his recent statement to the press in which he said that if he were in the State Department he would not employ a Jew in an office which dealt with matters concerning Palestine.

“What I meant to say, and what I should have said, was that I would not employ an avowed Zionist in any matter that “closely concerned Palestine,” Mr. Hays wrote to the J.T.A. “I do not believe that a person who is emotionally involved in a problem can approach it with the necessary detachment,” he added.

Mr. Hays explained that he had stated at a press conference that if he were connected with the State Department, he would not employ a Communist, not because the man was a Communist but because he would not trust him in any matters concerning Soviet Russia. It was in this connection, he added, that as an illustration he said that he would not employ a Jew in the State Department on matters which involve the Palestine issue.

“I used this illustration because, since I am a Jew, I thought it would make my position perfectly clear,” Mr. Hays emphasized. “Nothing was farther from my mind than the suggestion that there should be any racial or religious test for employment in the State Department or any other governmental department. My activities of a lifetime should be sufficient to negate any such absurd idea. I did not think that my statement was subject to misinterpretation. I was probably wrong, and should not have made a statement like that without a full explanation of the point at issue.”