Zionist Convention Session in Pittsburgh Torn by Bitter Controversy

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

With little or no prospects of peace, but rather indicative of bitter controversy and partisan struggle, the first session of the thirty-first annual convention of the Zionist Organization of America closely resembled a convention of an American political party. Six hundred and seventy-nine delegates and a thousand alternates and guests filled the William Penn ballroom to capacity and witnessed the first act of what promises to be one of the most dramatic fights in the Zionist movement.

The first votes taken by the Convention indicated that the administration, principally Lipsky’s supporters overriding the opposition charges and the report of the Judges Committee, has an apparent majority if the fundamental issues will be submitted to a decision by ballot. The impression prevailed, however, that administration leaders are hesitant to take advantage of their strength, fearing the reaction of a continued controversy after the convention. Various peace overtures were attempted, but shattered.

The first contested issues were the election of a presidium instead of a president and the election of Lipsky as honorary chairman of the convention. By a great majority Louis Lipsky was elected honorary chairman. The following five were elected members of the presidium: Judge William M. Lewis, Philadelphia; Elihu D. Stone, Boston, Mass; Morris Rothenberg, New York: Max Schulman, Chicago; Mrs. Archibald Silverman, Providence, R. I. Rabbi Max Heller, New Orleans, La. was chosen honorary vice chairman. The following three secretaries were elected Ephraim Kaplan, Yiddish; Ephraim Lisitzky, Hebrew; and Leo Wolfson English.

According to the report of the Credentials Committee, submitted by Leo Wolfson, and not contested by the opposition, the delegates are divided as to representation as follows: 385 representing the Z. O. A.; 261 representing Hadassah, three representing the Order Sons of Zion.

The convention hall was decorated with American and Zionist flags. Many delegations were grouped around banners bearing the names of States and regions, including one striking banner, “Texas wants Lipsky.”

The proceedings were opened by Adolph Edlis, chairman of the Pittsburgh arrangement committee and the invocation offered by Rabbi Herman Halperin, who prayed for peace and harmony, Greetings on behalf of the city government were brought by James F. Malbhe, president of the Pittsburgh City Council.

The first indication of the administration’s strength and the sentiment for Lipsky was manifested when a rousing ovation lasting about fifteen minutes filled the hall when Mr. Lipsky entered, the majority of the delegates rising to sing Hatikvah, waving the red, white and blue and the white and blue tempestuously.

Before delivering his annual message Louis Lipsky invited Dr. Stephen S. Wise, as vice president of the Actions Committee, Judge Julian W. Mach as a former president of the Z. O. A.; Rabbi Max Heller, Professor Merdecai M. Kaplan, Dr. Ben Zion Mossesson and Schmarya Levin to seats on the platform. They were given long ovations as they ascended.

The convention was thrown into a high pitch of excitement, which lasted most of the afternoon until the election of the presidium was completed, when Rabbi James Heller of Cincinnati presented the name of Louis Lipsky as nominec for the honorary chairmanship. Robert Szold for the opposition was against the nomination, arguing that an honorary office should not be conferred upon a controversial figure. He nominated Dr. Wise for the post. Dr. Wise in declining the nomination gave as his reason that he does not know what the honorary chairmanship means and stated that if a nomination is to be made, it should be for chairmanship, Mrs. Anna Moskowitz Kross moved for a reconsideration of the previous motion that a presidium instead of a president be chosen. Judge Gustave Hartmann seconded Lipsky’s nomination, declaring that he, too is a New York judge.

A protracted battle then ensured, many delegates shouting and making points of order, with the result that all motions blocking Lipsky’s nominations were lost. A sharp incident occurred when the nominations of four chairmen were taken up. A delegate nominated Dr. Wise as one of the chairmen. Dr. Wise in declining stated that he would not become a member of a presidium chosen by the administration in a partisan spirit. He had hoped that one man who, though necessarily a partisan but known for his fairness, would be elected. The statement called forth the protest of a group of delegates who showed that the proposed list was advocated not by the administration but by a caucus of two hundred delegates. Great tumult followed many interrupting the speaker who, during the argument used the expression “rowdics.” Shouts of “Apologize.” were heard. Dr. Wise then left the platform in anger declaring. “The convention does not want to hear me, I will go.” A considerable group of delegates then started a stampede, declaring “We want Wise.” which lasted a considerable time. Judge. William M. Lewis who presided during the election, finally succeeded in restoring order, enabling Dr. Wise to conclude his remarks and the completion of the election.

Mr. Lipsky in his annual presidential message did not refer to the controversies, but dwelt mainly on the new order which is arising in Palestine as a result of the consolidation process coincidental with the coming into effect of the Jewish Agency.

He emphasized the need of a return to the intellectual and spiritual tradition in Zionism. “All that is bad in money came into the movement with the budget fixed, frowning and inexorable. Our standards were affected. The humble Zionist worker slunk into the rear. The front places were reserved for wealth and position and influence. He served best who gave most. What is of the spirit in Zionism was overlooked. Zionist tradition and ideals were obscured. We were pressed to adopt a new form of nationalistic materialism for the sake of Zion and there could be no denial lest Palestine perish. We almost forgot our duty to the Jews in the Galuth.”

Mr. Lipsky also expressed satisfaction with Dr. Weizmann’s policies with regard to the Jewish Agency. With regard to Great Britain, he declared, “Friendship and goodwill of Great Britain are indispensible.

Intransigeance with regard to Great Britain at this time may be justifiable on matters of detail but as an attitude of mind it is both unjust and short sighted. Dr. Weizmann is the stabilizer of our political progress and the movement should be deeply appreciative of the difficulties of his position and of the manner in which he performs his political duties.”

Dr. Schmarya Levin in his address criticised the defeatists in American Zionism, stating this spirit endangers American Jewry’s dominant position in Zionism and that Lipsky was “the moving spirit in what is termed the machine of the Zionist movement.”

The election of Mrs. Silverman to the presidium followed when Miss Alice Seligsberg of Hadassah, withdrew her name. Before the convention went into its second session under the impression of the events, a new move for peace was initiated by Dr. Mordecal M. Kaplan in behalf of the Committee on Peace and Reconstruction. A special committee representing the administration, the opposition and Hadassah, comprising fifteen members was designated to confer last night and this morning on a combination to prevent further acrimony and restore peace.

The second session was opened at eight o’clock last night, presided over by Judge William M. Lewis. Greetings were read from Dr. Weizmann, Nathan Straus and the World Zionist Executive. Memorial services for Norvin R. Lindheim, Max Conheim, Joseph Barondess and Isaac Harris of Boston were held.

The Committee on Committees appointed by the chair, consists of the following: Harry Medinetz, Perth Amboy, N. J., Morris Augustus, Chicago, Rabbi Abr. Bengis, Fort Worth, Texas, Dr. Illie Berger, Providence, Israel Brodie, Baltimore, Benjamin Evarts, Holyoke, Mass., Harry Friedberg, Kansas City, Dr. George J. Gordon, Minneapolis, Mrs. Lewis Goldberg. Boston, Abraham Goldstein, Hartford, Mrs. D. L. Heyman, New York, Mrs. Rose Halprin, New York, Morris Kramer, New York, Israel Kurland, Baltimore, Prof. Gustave Klausner, St. Louis, Mo., Louis Levinthal, Philadelphia, Dr. M. Lichtenstein, Pittsburgh, Mrs. Esther Natkin, Chicago, Miss Rachel Natelson, Brooklyn, J. I. Rudovsky, Brooklyn, Dr. Morris Rose, New York.

Henry Rosenbaum, Plainfield, Mrs. Israel Shapiro, Baltimore, M. J. Slonim, St. Louis, Mrs. John Safer, Washington, D. C., Ezra Shapiro, Cleveland, Max J. Skaist, Reading, Pa., Mrs. S. Skwersky, Philadelphia, A. Spicehandler, Brooklyn, H. Steinberg, Chicago, Arthur Shutkin, Milwaukee, Robert Szold New York, Bernard Shelvin, New York, Louis Winer, Chattanooga, Tenn., Henry Yozell, Boston, Roth Cohen, New York.

An interesting situation arose when the opposition moved to postpone the reading and discussion of the Administrative Committee’s report and the Judges’ report until Monday afternoon. Mr. Lipsky agreed with the opposition’s view. A majority, however, overruled and decided to go on with the discussion. It is understood that the motion for postponement was intended to gain time, giving the Peace Committee an opportunity to complete its negotiations.

The concluding part of last night’s session was turned over to Mrs. Archibald Silverman who presented, Esther Davis and Ruth Helen Grueger, the winners of the Young Judaea National Oratorical contest and the delegates listened to the winning orations.

At a luncheon given by the Avukah, students’ Zionist organization, at the William Penn Hotel on Monday, Louis Lipsky acted as toastmaster. Dr. Stephen S. Wise was guest of honor.