Jewish War Veterans Condemn Injection of Religious Issues into Election Campaign

Opposition to divisive forces who are attempting to inject racial or religious issues into the election campaign was voiced here today in resolution adopted by the 49th annual encampment of the Jewish War Veterans of the United States at the Hotel Commodore. The resolution stressed the “desperate need for National unity” in carrying out war and post-war tasks.

New York State Secretary of State Thomas J. Curran told the delegates that intolerance and prejudice have no place in America as we know it today – and in the America we hope we will have in the future.” He paid tribute to the heroic resistance if the Jews in occupied Europe, particularly Warsaw, and to the many Jews in the armed forces who have distinguished themselves on the various fighting fronts. Mr. Curran pointed out that although only three percent of the population of the United States are Jews, eight percent of those who have been awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor in this war are of the Jewish faith.

Mayor Fiorello La Guardia, addressing the encampment, emphasized that “we still have a long way to go to translate into reality the great American principle of equality for all people. When we do it at home,” he continued, “then we can preach to the world. We must, by example, show that the people of all great racial and religious groups can live together in peace and harmony.”

In another resolution adopted today, the veterans went on record favoring the establishment of a permanent Fair Employment Practice Commission and urging full and equal employment opportunities for persons of all races, religions and colors.