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Proskauer Gives Four-point Program to Combat Racial Disunity; Archbishop Backs It

January 13, 1944
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The American Jewish Committee’s four-point program to combat racial disunity in America, read over the radio last night by Judge Joseph. Proskauer, president, today won the indorsement of Archbishop Francis J. Spellman.

“I trust your noble efforts to be helpful in overcoming religious and racial animosities will bear fruit and will promote mutual respect, understanding and tolerance among all groups of Americans,” the Archbishop said in a message to Mr. Proskauer

The four points, which Judge Proskauer urged be accepted by every American to achieve that accord which is the basis and the vindication of American democracy, are

“1. I will spread no rumor and no slander against any sect.

“2. I will never try to indict a whole people by reason of the delinquency of any member.

“3. I will daily deal with every man in business, in social and in political relations, only on the basis of his true individual worth.

“4. In my daily conduct I will consecrate myself, hour by hour, to the achievement of the highest ideal of the dignity of mankind, human equality, human fellowship and human brotherhood.”

After “Hitler will be gone,” Judge Proskauer said in his radio talk, “rabble rousers who have learned a trick or two from him will remain and may be expected to continue their attempts to stir up hatred between groups.”

In a letter to Mayor LaGuardia, Mr. Proskauer asked that there be no delay in adopting a program to fight anti-Semitism, as disclosed in Commissioner of Investigation Herlands’ report. He advocated the appointment of an inter-racial and interfaith committee as suggested by the commissioner. “The incidents disclosed in Herlands report” he said, “bear every evidence of having been inspired by the type of propaganda originated in Germany and which the Nazis have used consistently to ‘divide and conquer every democratic nation.”

The Anti-Defamation League of the B’nai B’rith also commented on Commissioner Herland’s report. “We have studied the Herlands report, as approved by the Mayor, and we believe it to be a constructive and intelligent analysis of prevailing conditions in New York City,” the league said. “It coincides with our own findings.” Carl Sherman, chairman of the Commission to Combat anti-Semitism of the American Jewish Congress, said the report revealed “a complete lack of awareness by the Police Department of the basic factors involved in the series of anti-Semitic outbreaks in the city.’

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