Lipsky Says America’s Economic Structure Cannot Absorb Jews

It is difficult and practically impossible for Jews to be absorbed within the American economic structure, according to a statement issued yesterday by Louis Lipsky, noted Jewish leader, on the occasion of the convening of the American Jewish Congress at Washington, D. C.

Mr. Lipsky, who is former president of the Zionist Organization of America, and a vice-president of the American Jewish Congress, declared also that due to economic and social discrimination the American Jews have been forced to excess into the professional classes and into speculative enterprises.

Discussing the issues that will come up for discussion at the Congress, Mr. Lipsky, in a statement issued at the Judea Life Insurance Company, of which he is president, said:

“The American Jewish Congress at its sessions should give its serious attention to the present economic conditions of the Jews in America.

“Remarkable changes have occurred during the past few years, producing almost revolutionary effects. Growing economic exclusions and discriminations—for whatever reasons—have made difficult and practically impossible the normal absorption of Jews within the American economic structure. They have forced excesses in the professional classes and in speculative enterprises. Under prevailing conditions, due to pressure, the reasonable and safe distribution of Jews in the manufacturing, agricultural and commercial fields is greatly handicapped by social discriminations.

“Merely to denounce these discriminations and the growth of anti-Semitic tendencies is unworthy of the Jews of this country, who are well able to take care of their own interests if once they are made aware of the facts.

“The American Jewish Congress should not lend itself to exaggerations and the making of empty gestures. In my opinion, the Congress should appoint a commission of expert economists to make a thorough study of the economic conditions under which American Jews are living at the present time. Upon the basis of the facts, it should make recommendations for educational propaganda and communal cooperation to alleviate the situation.”