Protest Calling of Meeting to Reorganize Queens County Democracy on Yom Kippur Eve

Protests against the designation of the evening of October 1, the eve of Yom Kippur, as the day for the revamping of the Queens Democratic County Committee, are swamping Democratic headquarters in Queens County. The hulk of the protests are emanating from Jewish members of the committee who are indignant that the meeting was called for the eve of Yom Kippur when Jews will be unable to participate.

Replying to the flood of protests, which include some from non-Jewish members, John Thoefel, county Democratic leader, issued a statement saying that it was impossible to change the day of the meeting because of the election laws, and blaming county chairman Butler for the delay in calling the reorganization meeting.

Mr. Thoefel in his statement declared that, “The election law compels the reorganization meeting of the county committee to be held within fifteen days of the primary. To hold the meeting after that date would be illegal. The election law also compels the organization to notify the county committee of such a meeting five days before it is held.” Democratic headquarters had expected to call the meeting for yesterday or today but the necessary permission had not been forthcoming from chairman Butler until Wednesday, Mr. Thoefel said.

The need for giving five days notice would have brought the meeting on Sunday which, under the election law, is illegal, Mr. Thoefel pointed out. Since the delegates to the Democratic state convention leave Sunday and will not return until Wednesday morning, Wednesday evening is the only time possible for the meeting within the law, Mr. Thoefel declared.

As a way out it is expected that few matters of importance will be taken up October 1, these being left for another meeting at a later date.