Z. O. Executive Gives Lipsky Administration Unanimous Vote of Confidence

A vote of confidence in the Lipsky administration of the Zionist Organization of America was unanimously adopted after an all day session of the Executive Committee held Sunday at the Hotel Waldorf-Astoria.

The session was called to consider the present situation in American Zionism. The Jewish Agency and the recent resignations from the Zionist Administrative Committee, as well as the various statements and assertions made in connection with the controversy, were the subject of discussion.

A resolution introduced by Herman G. Robbins, New York attorney, asked the Executive Committee to express its confidence in the Lipsky administration and to approve of the action of the Administrative Committee in accepting the resignations of Lawrence Berenson and Samuel J. Rosenson and Dr. Stephen S. Wise. The latter’s resignation was to be accepted “with great regret.” The resolution also included approval of the action of the Administrative Committee in sending out telegrams to the Hadassah chapters, warning Hadassah members against becoming involved in the controversy.

Mrs. Irma L. Lindheim, national president of Hadassah, and Mrs. Robert Szold, were not present at the meeting. Mrs. Israel Goldstein, president of New York Chapter of Hadassah, who participated in the discussion, declared after the vote that the Hadassah members were in agreement with the first part of the resolution approving the acceptance of the resignations but did not approve the Administrative Committee’s action with regard to the Hadassah chapters. She ascribed the failure of the Hadassah members present to vote against the second part of the resolution to their timidity. She herself did not participate in the vote because she is a member of the Administrative Committee.

In a statement issued at the close of the meeting the proceedings were summarized as follows:

“At a meeting of the National Executive Committee of the Zionist Organization of America, held all day yesterday at the Waldorf-Astoria, the resignation of Dr. Stephen S. Wise from the Administrative Committee of the organization was accepted with great regret, and the entire action taken by the Administrative Committee in the controversy that has developed in the Zionist organization was approved.

“This resolution of confidence in the Zionist Organization of America, and the World Zionist Organization was adopted unanimously. The Executive Committee of the American organization consists of 140 men and women from all parts of the country, and is the governing body of the Zionist organization between conventions. The resolution of confidence was presented by Herman G. Robbins. New York attorney and prominent in Zionist affairs.

“Those who took part in discussion of this resolution included Louis Lipsky, President of the Zionist Organization of America; Morris. Rothenberg, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the United Palestine Appeal; Elihu. D. Stone, Assistant United States Attorney of Boston; Mrs. Israel Goldstein, President of New York Chapter of Hadassah; Harry T. Kellman, President of the Seaboard Region of the United Palestine Appeal; Rabbi Louis L Newman of San Francico, Jacob Fishman, managing editor of The Jewish Morning Journal; Dr. A. Coralnik, associate editor of “The Day”: Abraham Goldberg, prominent publisher, and Abram Liebovitz, National Treasurer of the United Palestine Appeal.