The Bulletin’s Day Book

We have recently been talking with Edgar H. Burman, past Commander in Chief of the Jewish War Veterans, who is at present marshalling Jewish and non-Jewish youth into a militant band for the protection of practically everybody’s rights under the Constitution.

The organization being created, “Minute Men of the United States,” is unique among Jewish groups inasmuch as it advocates fighting Fascism with its own weapons. Burman intends pitting unity against unity, numbers against numbers, force against force, “always a little more of each,” he said, “than the other side can offer.”

Burman emphasizes the fact that his group will be purely a defensive organization. They will carry no chips on their shoulders, remain aloof from all foreign disputes, and concentrate their attention purely on maintaining the status quo of American Jewry and other groups which might come into the persecutional category, should an American Pelley, Christians, or Gulden ever offer a serious threat toward scrapping the constitution.

The Minute Men will, be organized on a purely military basis, with commanders, vice-commanders, captains, lieutenants, etc., taking the place of civilian presidents, secretaries, etc. The Fascist movement, catering mainly to youth, will be met by youth, for Burman has set severe age limitations on candidates. They will be drilled and organized, however, by former World War Veterans who have been trained to handle emergencies with more persuasive measures than orations, demonstrations, and futile abstractions of fear, faith, and mental, rather than intestinal, fortitude.

The Minute Men, who will be as well or better drilled in military tactics than the Fascist groups springing up throughout the country, will carry as “armament” short canes similar to those employed by British troops. Their distinctive apparel will consist of oversea caps with the legend, “Minute Men” across the front.

Burman said that since the original formation of the group–in New York, he has received queries and applications for membership from Hollywood to Maine. ## than 3.000 persons have signified their intention of enlisting in the movement, he said, and groups have already been formed in may of the Eastern States.

The commander said that a unit may apply for membership upon the enlistment of twenty or more Jewish youths in any community, To be assured that the principles of the group, which is essentially to defend those who might be considered by Fascists as a racial minority, will be upheld leaders of the organization are insistent that the nuclear body be Jewish. Gentles may be voted into the organization without restriction, and they may hold any office including that of commander in chief.

Burman said that thus far he has personally financed the mailing and other financial requirements of the group. “We are neither a profit-making nor a profit-sharing outfit,” he said, “and we won’t accept funds which put us under obligation to any man or organization. We do, however, need dough to carry on.”

At present the Minute Men are maintaining offices at headquarters of the Jewish War Veterans, 276 Fifth avenue. Plans for organizational and recreational facilities remain but plans as yet.

“Within the next few months,” Burman said, “we intend setting up meeting places throughout the country. We’ll have athletic rooms for the use of members and build wholesome, strong, and patriotic American citizens out of fellows who might otherwise spend their time decaying on street corners.

“If trouble never comes,” he observed,”–and pray God it never will–the Minute Men will have accomplished a good purpose. We shall have built men that Unite Sam will be proud of.”