Jewish Official Dismissed from Soviet Institute

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

A Jew named Levin, who was an official under the Central Committee for Mutual Aid Among the Peasants, has been dismissed from his post because he is a Jew, states the “Isvestia” in an article in its issue today by the well known journalist, Agronovsky.

The document, giving the reason for the dismissal, the article says, declares that he was dismissed because he is not a Russian. Levin appealed against the dismissal, but the court decided that the Institute in which Levin was employed had the right to dismiss him, because his post was one which required a man thoroughly acquainted with the life and needs of the peasantry, and Levin was not a peasant but the son of a merchant in Simferopul.

Levin, who is a non-partisan, then made an appeal to the Supreme Court, the Communist Central Control Committee. The Secretary of the Institute in which Levin had worked and two Communists who had signed the document of dismissal were called as witnesses. All three contended that there was no anti-Semitism involved and that Levin had been dismissed only because he was not fitted for his work.

The court in its decision declared that it may be that Levin deserved to be dismissed for the reasons given in the evidence, but that the document of dismissal and the reason given there for his dismissal showed an attitude which was a disgrace to a Soviet institution and to citizens of the Soviet.

Judge Jacob Panken of the Second District of the Municipal Court, indicated that he would be a candidate to succeed himself in the election next fall. In an effort to persuade him to announce his candidacy. Socialists and trade unionists have arranged a testimonial dinner for May 20th.

Morris Hillquit is Chairman, and Morris Berman, Treasurer of the Honorary Committee.

Adolph Stern was appointed Magistrate for the full term of ten years by Mayor Walker.

The salary of a magistrate is $10,000 a year.

Magistrate Stern was appointed to fill one of the vacancies caused by the retirement of Magistrate Cuarles A. Oberwager, who had served for five years, and Magistrate Charles Tolleris, who was a thirty-day appointee.

Magistrate Stern was born in New York City in 1882 and is a graduate of the New York University Law School. He was a member of the State Assembly from 1907 to 1909. He is a former Assistant Corporation Counsel, a Past Grand Master of the Independent Order B’rith Abraham, a member of the Administrative Committee of the American Jewish Congress, of the Jefferson Club of the Sixth Assembly District and of the Democratic County Committee.

Rabbi Stephen S. Wise was sued in the Supreme Court Monday by the Hanle Newspaper Syndicate. Inc., for $60,000 damages for breach of contract. The complaint alleges that Rabbi Wise contracted on Jan. 21 to write editorials to be syndicated by the plaintiff and refused to fulfill his contract when he learned that the plaintiff had contracted for the service with the “Daily Mirror” for $200 a week.

Morris L. Steinig, President of the Fur Trimming Manufacturers’ Association, in a letter to Samuel N. Samuels, President of the Associated Fur Manufacturers, Inc., advised the latter association that it would act independently with regard to the employment of furriers and would no follow the example of the Associated Manufacturers and employ none but those affiliated with the American Federation of Labor.