Direct charges of anti-Semitism against Dr. Frederick J. Hauptmann head of the German department of the Women’s College of Rutgers University, were made today at the first hearing of the special committee of five members of the Board of Trustees of the University.
The charges were made by Dr. Leinard Bergel, a member of the staff of the German department who charges he was dismissed for opposing pro-Nazi activities among the students conducted by members of the German department.
Appearing as the first witness to testify today before the inquiry committee of university trustees, Dr. Bergel read a prepared statement charging Dr. Hauptmann with Nazism and anti-Semitism.
“The benefits of the anti-Semitic measures taken by the Hitler government were praised by Dr. Hauptmann before his classes,” Dr. Bergel testified. He added that Dr. Hauptmann went out of his way to declare to the students that the anti-Nazi reports in the American press are nothing but lies, and that Hitler is the outstanding figure in Germany.
More than fifty witnesses, most of them students in the Women’s College, were called by the inquiry committee to testify. Dr. Robert C. Clothier, president of the university, issued an invitation to all members of the faculty and to students of the Women’s College to appear before the inquiry committee with evidence in the case.
A proposed legislative investiga-
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
