The Montgomery advertiser., 1909-01-21
OPPOSED TO CHRIsTrANTTY IN PUB-
 LIC AFFAIRS.
yslsrns Debate Is Precipitated Ia Con. ventfen of Ameraean Hebrew
 Csns-resations---Cemm IT tee Te Spread Lftera-


 Philadelphia, Pa, Jan. 2e--After spirited debate on the question or means to prevent sect&rian teachings and practices in the public schools. the delegates to the Twenty-first Council of the Union of American Hebrew Con- gregations today passed a resolution appointing committee to spread literature which shall take the posi- tion that from a constitutional stani- point this is not a Christian country.
 The presentation of the committee report provoked a lively argument among the Rabbis and laymen over . section which stated that the question of sectarisn teachings in schools might properly go through the courts, but that high judicial authorities have pro- nounced obiter dicta on the subject, sIs this Christian country"
 Several delegates led by Dr. Max Heller of New Orleans objected to the section. on the ground that 1t might be construed as 6 reflection on the Su- prelne Court of the United States.
 While speaking on an amendment to the section, Rabbi Schulman. of New York was directed by Chairman Klein to conclude his remarks. and be seat ed. The Rabbi declined. whereupon Chairman Klein directed Rabbi schul- man to leave the council chamber. MT Sehulnan protested against being checked in his speech and sat down.
 The section was finally amended, so that all reference to the courts was eliminated and the resolution was passed.
 The Zionist issue developed when resolution was offered. requiring the department of immigration to strike the word Hebrew from questions put to immigrants regarding their nationality.
 pr. Heller of New Orleans. said that the resolution was auti-sectionaI in character inasmuch as the Jews were a race. His views were upheld by Rabbi J. L. Magnes of Temple Elm manuel in New York, who declared that the attitude of several of the delegates was intolerable.
 Judge Kraus, of Chicago. declared Rabbi Masnes should apologize for his remarks. or withdraw. Rabbi Magnes said he would apologize for speaking on & point of order. but would not withdraw his observations.
 The resolution reads:
 That the union of American Hebrew congregations. in council assembled, protests emphatically against all such religious teachings and practices in the public schools.
 That 1t urges it's constituent mem- bers, and appeals to all who are in sympathy with the movement to jeal- ously guard in their several communi- ties the secular integrity of our school system, and that it submits that Suc- cess here as in all movements of this character is effected only by presenting q united front.
 That it suggests to It's members for the purpose of educational cam paign on this sbject the pamphlet of the Central Conference of American rabbiS Why the Bible Should Not Be Read in the Public Schools.
 That inasmuch as men high in po- sition have declared it to be a Chris tlan country. and being convinced that this subject is the root subject and should be first elucidated. if raises that this council appoint a committee to act in conjunction with the commit tee on church and State of the Central Conference of American Rabbis toward the publication and wide distribution of literature which shall take the stand. and effectively hold by cogent and con- vincing arguments. that. from con- stitutional standpoint, this Is not Q Christian country"
 Men of national prominence in Jew Ash organizations were speakers to- night, on "Israels work in America" Jacob H Schiff. of New York. was the principal speaker of the evening.