Stephen E. Smith, brother-in-law of Senator Robert F. Kennedy, New York Democrat, was criticized this weekend by one of the Senator’s own backers during the election campaign last fall, for staying at an upstate resort that has been accused of discriminating against Jews.
The Kennedy backer, R. Peter Straus, president of Radio Station WMCA, of New York, said that it was “incredible” that Mr. Smith, who is married to Sen. Kennedy’s sister, Jean, and who acted as an unofficial campaign manager for the Senator, stay at the Lake Placid Club.
Although the club is not a place of public accommodation and may legally bar Jews, the issue of anti-Semitism has repeatedly been raised in connection with various conventions held at the resort. In 1958, the New York State Conference of Mayors was moved away from the club after New York’s Mayor Robert F. Wagner had said he could not attend.
Reached by telephone at the club, Mr. Smith said he had never heard that the club barred Jews, and indicated that he would attempt to arrange other accommodations.
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