The St. Louis Republic. [volume] (St. Louis, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1903-07-04
Central Conference at Detroit
Places Itself on Record on
Much-Debated Question.
COMMISSIONS REPORT BEATEN.
1t Asserted That Transfer of Day
of Rest Presents No Danger
to Jewish Faith or Soil
darity of the Race.

Detroit Mich. July 3.-"This conference
declares itsel. in favor OF maintaining the
historical Sabbath as a fundamental insti-
tuition of Judaism. and of exertng every
effort to improve its observance. and in
structs the Executive Committee to appoint
special committee to study methods of
carrying this into effect
The Central Conference OF American Rab-
bis placed itself on record on the Sabbath
question to-day. after an eight hours ses-
sion, by the adoption Of the above amend
ment TO the report OF the Sabbath Commits
sion on the question:
What is our attitude on the Sabbath
question:"
Officers were also elected this afternoon
and all business was transacted and the
conference adjourned sine die,
The Sabbath question was taken up at
the forenoon session after several commit
tee reports had been disposed Of and a
telegram ordered sent TO President Roose-
Welt consratulatinG him on his decision 10
forward the resolutions of the society of
Il Mai Birth TO the Car. and thanking
HIM for 1t.
REPORT PRESENTED.
Rabbi Voorsanger of San Francisco, tho
chairman of the commission. Introduced the
commissions substitute report, which the
conference ordered last Wednesday, after
the first report had been declared too
lengthy. and not positive enough to its an
SwcrS TO the seven questions IL was or
gained to report upon. The report said in
part:
This conference decides It cannot find
any other ethical Interpretation of Sabbath
conduct than has hitherto prevailed
This conference decides that a transfer
of Sabbath to Sunday. however much OPP
posed by sentiment, presents to the student
of history no element of danger that the
might he affected by such a transfer or
that the solidarity of the people of Israel
might be disturbed. At the same time this
conference feels that it has no right to
make an authoritative decision as to the
facts
Doctor Deutsch. one of the members of
the committee. submitted a subreport on
the answer of the commissions question, in
which he disagreed with the rest Of the
commission, holding that historical senti-
ment was too strong to permit of changing
the Sabbath to Sunday
"BDGGING THE QUESTION"
Doctor Silverrnan Immediately turned over
the chair to the secretary. after the report
had been read, and offered as a substitute
for the commissions reply to the first ques-
ton. the statement that was adopted this
afternoon. favoring the maintenance Of the
historical Sabbath. He declared that the
commissions report was mere begging of
the question. and stated with great positive
ness that the conference must at this time
declare Itself in unmistakable terms on this
Sabbath question.
Il don't want this question evaded," he
said.
When the vote was taken. Doctor Silver
mans amendment was adopted by a vote
OF g to 9. Doctor VoOrsanger Doctor
Philipson and several others who voted NO
wished TO have it made clear that IN SO
voting they were not opposed to the his
to:ical Sabbath, but were merely upholding
the commissions attitude on the question.
Consideration Of the rest of the Sabbath
Commissions report was then postponed
until next year.
The following officers were elected:
Honorary president, Doctor K Kohlcr of
New York. president elect of the Hebrew
Union College at Cincinnati.
President. Joseph Krauskopft Of PhilndeI-
phia.
Vice presidents, Joseph Stolz of chIcn go,
Doctor j. Noorsanger Of San Francisco
Treasurer. Charles Levi of Peoria, Ill.
Corresponding secretary. W. Rosenau CT
Baltimore.
Recording secretary. Adolph Guttmaker
Of Baltimore.