Wagner Asks Ban on Religious Prejudice in Political Campaigns; Hit “america First”

Even the semblance of intolerance in our political activities must be avoided. Senator Robert F. Wagner of New York said today, addressing an inter-faith rally at Randall’s Island stadium here.

“America is a nation of minorities,” Senator Wagner stated, “but on occasion there have arisen groups and individuals who have sought to play one minority against another for political and partisan gains. Sometimes, this has taken the obvious form of the American Firsters. Against these American fascists we are amply warned and can be on our guard. But there is a more subtle practice, harder to detect and harder to resist. “This practice arises when men, sometimes innocently, allow their supporters to make any argument which carries any implication of prejudice based on race, name or land of origin in hope of obtaining votes.”

Addressing the Conference on Science, Philosophy and Religion being held at Columbia University, Dr. Edward Blakeman, speaking as a Protestant clergyman, yesterday advocated “an exchange of religious leadership” among Protestants, Catholics and Jews. Other speakers also urged greater tolerance among the peoples of all religions in the United States.