Washington Zionists Vote Down Brandeis-mack Memorandum

Rejection of the Brandeis proposals was voted unanimously in a resolution adopted by the Washington, D. C. Zionist district at a general meeting held here, at which delegates to the Cleveland Convention were elected.

“The Washington Zionist District,” states the resolution, “emphatically rejects the memorandum of the Brandeis group setting forth the conditions for this group in resumption of activity in the Z. O. A., since: (1) These proposals are contrary to the fundamentally democratic character of the Zionist Organization, requiring, as they do, the granting of dictatorial powers not comprehended by the constitution to a certain group, without even the guarantee of responsibility; (2) The plan is undesirable and unsound from a practical viewpoint, since it is unduly complex, and instead of uniting Zionist forces at this critical juncture, will only tend to substitute a new breach in place of the old, and create uncertainty and confusion.

“The Washington Zionist District feels that the memorandum fails to disclose sufficient courage, qualities of leadership, or power of understanding to justify the blind and unequivocal acceptance which it demands; quite to the contrary.

“The present administration of the Z. O. A. is hereby commended for its initiative in endeavoring to secure a united front, and it is hoped that Justice Brandeis and certain of his associates will, after further consideration, find it possible to participate in the work of the Z. O. A. through normal democratic procedure, and without infringing upon the dignity of the movement.”

Isidore Hershfield, Max Rhoade, Mrs. John M. Safer, Rabbi Louis J. Schwefel, and Louis E. Spiegler were elected delegates to the Cleveland convention.