That the Jews Poland have gained little from the “moral revolution” brought about in Poland by the events in May, under the leadership of Marshal Pilsudski, was the opinion expressed by Deputy Isaac Gruenbaum, at today’s session of the budget commission of the Polish Sejm.
Deputy Gruenbaum pointed out during the discussion of the state budget for the needs of religious communities that the present policy of the Ministry of Education and Religions does not give expression to the ideals of the May revolution. The needs of the Jewish religious communities remain unfulfilled, he said. The needs of the Jewish schools are not met, the number of Jewish pupils in state schools in Congress Poland amounts to only 5 per cent, while under the Czarist regime the number of Jewish pupils in he state schools amounted to 10 per cent. The numerus clausus is still in operation, Deputy Gruenbaum charged.
The motion of Deputy Gruenbaum to increase the state allotment for the needs of the Jewish religious communities from 165,000 Zlotys to 600,000 Zlotys was rejected by the Commission.
A heated debate was aroused in the Commission when Deputy Gruenbaum asked why Jews are not being admitted to the police department. Mr. Maliszewski, commander in chief of the police, replied that “Jews are unfit for police service.”
Deputy Gruenbaum pointed to the fact that a small number of Jewish policemen are in service and that no Jewish policeman was ever dismissed from his post because of unfitness. The contrary is true. Jewish policemen find recognition on the part of their superior officers for their distinguished service, he stated.
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