Jessner, German Jewish Producer, is Honored by Statesmen and Artists

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Leopold Jessner, well known German Jewish theatre manager and superintendent of the State theatre, against whom the main committee of the Prussian Diet last week voted a resolution of lack of confidence, was honored last night by Germany’s most prominent statesmen, writers and artists on the occasion of his fiftieth birthday.

In honor of the occasion a gala performance of Hauptmann’s play, “Die Weber” was given at the State theatre. Herr Loebe, president of the Reichstag, was among the prominent statesmen present. The speakers, who included writers and theatrical producers, paid tribute to Jessner’s genius. A message of felicitation was read from the Prussian Prime Minister Braun. A banquet in honor of Herr Jessner was given at the Stage club.

The resolution expressing lack of confidence in Jessner was adopted on February 29 by the main committee of the Diet following charges that his views on the theatre “endanger the moral standard.” The move of the Diet committee was the climax of agitation carried on for many years by reactionary and nationalist elements against Jessner.

PYTHIANS TO ESTABLISH HEBREW UNIVERSITY FUND

Establishment of an endowment for the Hebrew University in Jerusalem has been undertaken by the Knights of Pythias of the 47th District, Brooklyn. A campaign is now being conducted among the 2,500 members of the district in the interest of the United Palestine Appeal. An entertainment will be given at the Brooklyn Academy of Music on Sunday evening, March 25th.

The affair at the Academy of Music is being sponsored by the Past Chancellors Association of the 47th District under the chairmanship of its president, Deputy Grand Chancellor Daniel Gutman. The seven lodges of the district and their Chancellor Commanders cooperating in the campaign are Warren G. Harding Lodge, Julius R. Lippman; Pax Lodge, Harry Snyder; Conqueror Lodge, Lippman Eisenberg; Landes Lodge, Morris Slepian; Armistice Lodge, Nathan Friedman; Kings County Lodge, Irving Mendelsohn and King Solomon Lodge, Al C. Maller.

MAKE MORE COMPLAINTS OF ANTI-JEWISH DISCRIMINATION IN MASONIC CLUB

The discrimination shown by the Metropolitan Masons’ Country Club of Briarcliff was not against all Jews stated Daniel N. Mosessohn, editor of the “Jewish Tribune,” which revealed the discrimination in the club. Moses Altman, a lieutenant commander of the Scottish Rite bodies in New York, who is high in Masonic circles, was offered a membership, said Mr. Mosessohn, as were Arthur Kuhn and William Klingenstein. “But they refused flatly to join,” he said, “when they were told that other Jews were being excluded.”

Mr. Mosessohn staed he possesses affidavits made out by Jewish Masons who say they were barred from the club because of their faith.

Mr. Mosessohn said that Sol P. Fink and Herbert L. Solomon, two of the Jews who signed affidavits alleging discrimination, had made specific applications for membership in the Metropolitan Masons’ Club. They were told, they said, that the roster of the club was full, and were notified that they had been made members of the Briarcliff Lodge Sports Club instead.

Jerome J. Brandt, a Mason of Centennial Lodge 763, declared before a notary public on Oct. 31 that his application to join was refused “because I am a Hebrew.”

OTTINGER SEEKS REPUBLICAN NOMINATION FOR GOVERNOR

A campaign to nominate Attorney General Albert Ottinger on the Republican ticket will be started soon, it was tated in party circles.

A. T. Fancher of Salamanca, Cattaraugus Country, will head Mr. Ottinger’s campaign committee, it was said. The Ottinger campaign is expected to start as soon as Mr. Fancher, now in Cuba, returns.

Mr. Ottinger is believed by many to be the best candidate that the Republicans could name to hold down the Democratic vote in New York City, particularly if Governor Smith should be the Democratic nominee for President.