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Court in Philadelphia Gives Ruling on Contested Palestine Pledge

August 22, 1927
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(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

An interesting decision affecting campaigns for Palestine and for other communal activities, was rendered yesterday by President Judge Lamorelle of the Orphans Court of Philadelphia, in a matter in which Louis E. Levinthal, former Chairman of the Central Zionist Committee of Philadelphia, argued the case for the Jewish National Fund.

The Executors in the Estate of Abraham Waxman refused to pay the claim of the Jewish National Fund in the sum of $100, on the ground that the decedent did not sign a subscription card and that the subscription card was not legally binding in view of the fact that it did not contain the phraseology usual in such matters, viz. “in consideration of the pledges made by others, etc.”

Judge Lamorelle held that the fact that one of the bookkeepers of the decedent signed the card at his direction, it must be considered his act. With reference to the second contention, the Judge determined that the legal phraseology was not necessary because it was obvious that the testator must have known that the rebuilding of Palestine could not be carried into effect merely with his contribution of $100, without the aid of other subscriptions. “It is not unreasonable to hold,” declared Judge Lamorelle. “that he must have known the expenditures that would be incurred would be on the faith of his and other subscriptions.”

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