A ruling this week enjoining discrimination against Jewish artisans came under fire today when leaders in the recently-formed central organization of artisans submitted their demand to the Minister of Economics, Dr. Kurt Schmitt, that discriminations against Jews be extended to this field as it has to the government services and the free professions.
The cabinet official declined to comply with this demand and rebuked the delegation which called upon him to present it. He pointed out that expulsion of Jewish members from the new artisans’ association has been prohibited in accordance with the present policy of the government. He warned against the dismissal of jewish apprentices solely on grounds of their being Jewish and declared that Jews should not be hindered in receiving artisan training.
A communique embodying these points was sent by the ministry to all bodies of artisans warning them against discriminating against Jews. This stand, which has not the support of the majority of the Nazi leaders, was taken by Dr. Schmitt in the conviction that indiscriminate dismissal of Jews was seriously handicapping trade and industry and was complicating an already difficult situation.
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.
