Pamphlet Views Extremism, Link Between Right and Anti-semitism

A pamphlet in question and answer form, entitled “What Is Extremism, ” was issued here today by the American Jewish Committee, charging in a foreword that “under the banner of breaking a conspiracy, the extremists of the right have licensed themselves to break the law. ” The foreword explained that there is “one important difference” between extremism of the right and that of the left. “In contrast to the Communists who openly oppose us, ” it declared, “the extremists of the right pose as patriots. They intimidate by slander, terrorize by rumor, disturb the peace and incite to violence.”

Noting that “virtually all of the groups that are violently segregationist or anti-Semitic are extremist, ” the pamphlet stated that “more often than not, the anti-Semites upbraid the rest for not equating Judaism with communism and publicly blaming the Jews for all evil. ” Extremist groups, the pamphlet said, sometimes incite anti-Negro violence and foment anti-Semitism at the same time.

Answers to questions in the pamphlet included statements about the tactics of extremists, whether extremists and conservatives are alike, the size of the extremist camp, a brief analysis of the John Birch Society, and a listing of a number of other extremist groups. The pamphlet also asked whether there is a coalition of extremist groups, stating: “There have been no formal mergers so far; but the civil-rights revolution, as it touches more and more communities, appears to be bringing the racists and other extremists under one umbrella. “

At the same time today, Morris B. Abram, president of the American Jewish Committee, announced the publication by the AJC’s Institute of Human Relations of a monograph on “Crime and Race: Conceptions and Misconceptions” by Dr. Marvin E. Wolfgang, a prominent sociologist and specialist on crime.