Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1911-06-09
TAFT bEFRIENDS
hebrew IN ARMY
haDrimands Colonel Garrard For
Opposing Advance.
tGTIOA CAUSES SENSATION
President Writes Sharp Letter Pc
President Writes Sharp Letter Pc
eardng Report of Cavalry Com
nanGant at Fort Meyer.

President Taft has ordered the sec
retary OF war to administer severe
jublic reprimand to Colonel Joseph II.
,erfard, cavalry commanding officer
+ the military post at Fort Myer, Va,
or exhibiting prejudice against pri-
gate in Ia. command because Of the
soldiers Jewish extraction and the
social standing of his family
The president said it was hard to
deal with the case with patience and
without condemnatory words that had
better not be written
The presidents action has created
something OF a sensation, not only in
army circles, but throughout Wash
nstOn.
The Young soldier involved in the
controversy is Frank Bloom, private
N Battery F, Of the Third Field Ar
1illery. He is ROW on duty on the Mex
can border.
Several years ago Bloom was urged
eor appointment to West Point. Pres1-
lent Roosevelt, not being in a posi-
-.Sn at the time TO make the appoint
menj, -aggested to Bloom that he en-
list and, like a true American fight
MS way up from the ranks.
The young man took the advice, en-
tered the army, where he is said to
have made a good record, and recently
took his first examination for promo
tion. 1t is said that Bloom failed in
this examination, but in view of the
prejudice brought about by Colonel
tiarrard's endorsement, Bloom will be
ordered I'D for final examination again
in September.
On this point the president. in
letter to Simon Wolf, of Washington,
said:
Il shall take steps to see that the
examination to which Private Bloom
is subjected is one in which he will be
siven a fair chance and not be eX-
oosed to any unjust prejudice.
Colonel Garrard's endorsement on
}loonG's pc 9ers, TO which President
Fart so strongly objected when it was
cought to his attention, was at fol-
3ws:
THE applicant is a son of Joseph
:. Bloom, OF Jewish persuasion, who
: now. and has been for number OF
years, tailor at this post. His asso-
citation, as far as I know, and that OF
his family. have been with enlisted
men and their families, and have been
espectable.
The Young man is undoubtedly
lonest and upright, ambitious and
,robably deserving, but for the reason
stated | would not desire him in my
Command as an officer and social
md personal associate.
1.-The presence of the applicant
an,ily at military post woul be sub
ersive of disciplane and their prob
bic treatment source of mortihca-
ion to them and frequent cause OF
rauble to commanding officers. From
an experience of many years | have
found, except in few cases, few COM
munities where Jews are received as
desirable social associates
In directing the secretary of war
to inquire into the case President TAFT
wrote:
Il enclose herewith a letter from
Simon Wolf, a lawyer and very promi-
nent and respected citizen of Wash
! ington. This gives to the statement
he makes every presumption OF accu-
| racy and truth. 1t is difficult for me
to read the endorsement of Colonel
Garrard, set forth in this letter, with
patience and without condemnatory
words that had better not be written
| / wish you would examine the record
and verify the statements CT Mr.
Wolf, and, If he has not been misin
/! formed-and his letter sets forth The
facts--direct that this young man be
admitted to examination for a lieu
tenancy in the army.
"The statements made by Colcne
| Garrard arc not true with re erence
to the standing that Jews have in this
country, ant | resent as commander
| in-chief of the army and the navy
that any officer of either shosld Per
nit himself in an official document {
give evidence of such unfounSad anf
| narrow race preJudlce as t--at oon
tanned in this endorsement.
"After you have made an Gamma
ton If the record please aiv.se mi
If your scsiS-.'
| TIE reprimard as iesued fem thu
WLite House savs that Colonel Gar
rard's attitude in this matter strong
| II disa proved as contrary to TIL
laeals and principles Of this ccautrv-