Oscar Schlitter, member of the German consulate, and Enrique D. Ruiz, Mexican consul general, yesterday were prominent by their absence from a meeting of forty or more foreign representatives called by Aldermanic President Bernard S. Deutsch at City Hall.
Both Schmitter, who was to have represented Hans Borchers, consul had previously accepted invitations to the meeting. They changed their minds when it was reported that certain members of the Board of Aldermen had the temerity to denounce religious persecution in the two countries.
PROBLEMS OF FOREIGNERS
The purpose of the meeting, said to be the first of its kind in municipal history, was advertised by Mr. Deutsch as being as general discussion of foreign elements in the city, and of means of assisting them in obtaining an education, employment and other advantages. The question of religious persecution was to be soft-pedaled but discussed, nevertheless, together with means of sounding America’s feelings on the matter.
Mr. Deutsch told the meeting that it was not his intention to “invoke political controversy or to involve political considerations.” He said that the purpose in calling the meeting was to aid intending the “estrangement, aloofness and clannishness” in which foreign-born residents of the city and foreign-born citizens have found themselves here. He told his hearers that radio station WNYC, municipal-owned, has opened its facilities to foreigners and foreign circles in the city.
“Henceforth they may be able to present expositions of their aims and cultures and their ambitions as Americans,” said Mr. Deutsch.]
Mayor LaGuardia dropped in at the meeting for a few minutes to say that this meeting “is a tribute to Mr. Deutsch, and is only another example of the new and adventurous course the present city administration has embarked upon.”
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
