Norwich bulletin. [volume] (Norwich, Conn.) 1895-2011, 1911-06-06
OBJECTED TO A JEW
AS AN ASSOCIATE.
President Vigorously Rsbukes Snoo-
berry of an Army Officer.

Washington, June 5.-Col Jos. Gar
rard, U. 8. A, commanding the cavalry
post at Fort Myer. Va. today was rep
rimanded by the secretary of war, un-
der orders from President Taft, for
reporting adversely on application of
a soldier for the right to take exam
inations for promotion to commits
stoned grade on the ground of jewish
parentage. The president said it was
hard to deal with the matter with
patience and without condemnatory
words that had better not be writ
ten
The presidents action has created
something of q sensation not only in
army circles but throughout Wash
ington.
controversy is Frank Bloom, a private
in Battery F of the Third field artil-
lery, and is now on duty on the Mex
ican border. Several years ago Bloom
was urged for appointment to West
Point. President Roosevelt, not being
in a position at the time to make the
appointment, suggested to Bloom that
ne enlist and like a true American"
fight his way I'D from the ranks The
young man took the advice, entered
the army, where he is said to have
made q good record and recently took
his first examination for prom otion.
1t is said that Bloom failed in this
examination, but in view of the pre-
judices brought about by Colonel Gar
rard's endorsement, Bloom will be or
dered up for final examination again
in September.
On this point, President Taft, in a
letter to Simon Wolf of this city, said:
Il shall take steps TO see that the
examination to which Private Bloom
is subjected is one in which he will
be given a fair chance and not be ex-
posed to any unjust prejudice
TATD al a,-J.
Blooms papers TO which President
Taft so strongly objected, when
brought to his attention, was as fol-
lows:
"The applicant is a son of Mr. Jo-
seph A. Bloom, of Jewish persuasion,
who is now. and has been for a num-
Der of years. a tailor at this post. His
associates, as far as l know, and that
of his family have been with enlisted
men and their families and have been
respectable. The young man is un-
doubtedly honest and upright, ambi-
tious and roodbly deserving but for
the reasons stated l would not desire
him in my command as an officer and
a social and personal associate. The
presence of the applicants family at
a military post would be subversive
of discipline and their probable treat
ment source of modification to them
and frequent cause of trouble TO COM
manding officers. From an experience
Of many years l have found, except
in few cases, few communities where
Jews are received as desirable social
associates"
In directing the secretary of war to
inquire into the matter, President Taft
wrote:
my Dear Mr.. Secretary: I enclose
herewith a letter from Simon Wolf, a
lawyer and very prominent and re-
spected citizen of Washington. This
gives to the statement he makes every
presumption of accuracy and truth 1t
Is difficult for me to read the endorse
ment of Colonel Garrard set forth in
this letter, with patience and without
condemnatory words that had better
not be written / wish you would ex-
anime the record and verify the state
ments Of Mr.. Wolf and, il ne has not
been misinformed-aud his letter sets
forth the facts-direet that this youn Z,
man he admitted to examination for
a Heutenarcy in the army. The state
ments made by Colonel Garrard are
not true with reference to the standing
that Jews have in this country, and I
resent, as commander in chief of the
army and the navy. that any officer of
either should permit himself in an
unofficial document to give evidence
of such unfounded and narrow race
prejudice as that contained in this
endorsement
After you have made an examina-
tion of the record, please advise me
of your action.
Sincerely yours,
"W. H. TAFT"
Word of the reprimand issued from
the White house today was as follows
THE president directs the secretary
of war TO inform Colonel Garrard that
his attitude in this matter is strongly
disapproved as contrary to the ideals
and principles of this country.
Colonel Garrard has been told that
he had not the moral right to exert
influence in his official position to bar
the advancement OF courageous and
efficient young man simply because
that man was of Jewish race; that
such procedure indicates not only pre-
iudice that should not be found in an
officer of his position and experience,
but amounts to failure to Justly
and fairly consider the merits and
claims of the applicant as shown by
his efficient service and excellent
standing in the mental examinations
s"Colonel Garrard has been admon-
ished to avoid a repetition of the ac-
| tion taken in this case"