New-York tribune., 1907-11-21
JEW VICTORY In COURT.
RACE Has EQUAL RIGHTS.
Cannot Be Excluded from Hotel
Because of Greed or Antecedents.

case involving the right of a hotel proprie-
tor TO exclude person because Of his race came
up pefore Justice Wauhope Lynn, OF the Mu-
nicipal Court, yesterday. and was decided against
the contention that Jew may be excluded from
hotel because Of his race. The action was
brought by the proprietor of the Hotel Renais-
sance, through his manager, William Watson.
against George II. Abbott for the amount of rent
que Tor an apartment in the Hotel Renaissance.
Mr.. Abbott, lawyer. rented an apartment but
Changed his plans before taking possession and
asked TO be allowed to subet it. He received per-
mission TO do so from Mr.. Watson provided he
could secure tenant of equal financial RESPONSE
ohty. Walter J. Salomon, real estate operator,
o. No. 800 Fifth avenue, was ready to take the
lease off the hands of Mr.. Abbott, when he was
informed that the transfer could not be made be-
cause the owner of the hotel. D. H. King jr,
would not take Jews as tenants.
Mr.. Abbott Contended that this refusal bv the
motel to accept respectable and responsible ten
ant deprived him Of the only opportunity he had
10 sublet. The apartment was vacant after that
u!he' and Mr. Abbott was sued for the rental
which he refused to pay
Justice Lynn in his opinion said that the landlord
had no right 10 reject prospective tenant because
OF ms race or creed. Upon this point he said:
r,1t Under the circumstances did he have the legal
IEhI 10 be dissatisfied because. forsooth he did
size Of his feet or the fashion of his cothng? or 'f IF
ne ne had such legal right then equally did he have
race or creed ~
AS TO the contention by the hotel people that
prejudice exists against Jews. Justice Lynn says:
The counsel for the plaintiff IN surport of his
EIIehL attitude. formally and deliberately states
or the fact that among the Christian element in
~ I've cIty oUI,Iumty there is prejudice against living
uon @ OF this prejudice of hotels and apart
stances oISeS IhToughout the country in many in
persons a OF this race In answer TO this feel CON
- I'm Ieu 70 say that this contention is obnoxious
may may exist among ignorant, illiterate and irrelig-
exists generally among the genuine Christian ele-
enL it, IN the mind Of any selfrespecting American
considering this question Of pTet6dicSit IS not and
never could he matter whereof any court in our
and is required to take judicial notice of the his
ernment and as to these two On matters If R sboplg ba
~ az suIHclent 70 quote from the first President and
dent Roosevelt recently summarized the history of
b DhG Heebrew race in connection with our country
II is of more than merely national significance.
upbuiIdng Of this country ana acogired and u tool,
an active part in the development of foreign and
period they aided the cause of liberty bT serrin
IN me Continental army and by substantial con-
public: during the civil War thousands served in
6 f6g pa sFms ,5 and mrstea their blood with the soil
And as u the policy OF our government. even be-
Of the Republic Initiated it in an address to the He
brew congregation at Newport and said The citi-
2ens OF the United States of America have a right
70 pride themselves for having given 10 mankind
examples Of an enlarged aud liberal policy-a policy
worthy Of imitation. all possess alike liberty OF
conscience and immunites Of citizenship
II may not be amiss for the enlightenment OF
counsel and those who share the view OF which
he claims the court should take judicial notice "a
quote stN further the language of the immortal
Washington in that address: May the children Of
the stock Of Abraham who dwell in this land con-
tinuc % merit ana enjoy good Will OF other
Inhabitants. while every one shall sit in safety
under his own vine and hg tree. and there shall be
none TO make him afraid. Nav the Father Of all
meTCies scatter light and not darkness in paths
and make all in several vOcations useful
here. and in His own due time and way everlast
inEly happy"
| will dwell the record OF the distinguished
turists and statesmen OF the Hebrew and
faith who in own day and in own time
adorn the bench and aid and guide the state. but
the plaintiff and his counsel and his other tenants
must be strangely ignorant of men and affairs
when they the claim above made. / ac-
cordingy hold the PLAINTIFF in law should have been
satisfied with the Defendants prospective tenant
Salomon. and I direct judgment for the defendant
accordingly.