Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-06-10
PRESIDENT TAFT
DEFENDS HEBREW
Jews Right to Rank in Army Is Up
held in Order Reprimanding Colonel
Gerard at Fort Meyer.

seph Garrard, o. S. A., commanding
ahe cavalry post at Fort Meyer. Va.
was reprimanded by the secretary OF
war, under orders from President TAFT.
The reprimand was administered
because Colonel Garrard, upon the
ground Of Hebrew parentage, reported
adversely an application of a soldier
for the right to take examinations Tor
promotion to commissioned grade.
The president said it was hard to
deal with the case with patience and
without condemnatory words that had
better not be writer"
Sensation In Army.
The presidents action has created
something OF a sensation, not only In
army circles, but throughout Wash
ington.
The young soldier involved in the
controversy is Frank Bloom, private
in Battery F. Of the Third Field Ar
tillery. He is now on duty on the Mex
lean border
Several years ago Bloom was urged
for appointment To West Point. Presl'
dent Roosevelt, not being in posi-
ton at the time to make the appoint
ment, suggested to Bloom that he en-
list and. like true American" light
his 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
ton. 1t is said that Bloom failed in
this examination but in view of the
prejudice brought about by Colonel
Garrard's endorsement, Bloom will be
ordered up for final examination again
in September.
On this point the president, in a
letter 10 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
given d fair chance and not be ex-
posed to any unjust prejudice"
Colonel Garrards endorsement on
Blooms papers, to which President
Taft so strongly objected when 1t was
brought to his attention, was at fol-
lows:
1.-THE applicant Is a son of Joseph
A. Bloom, OF Jewish persuasion, who
is now, and has been for number OF
years, tailor 1T this post His asso-
citation, 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 undoubtedly
honest and upright, ambitious and
probably deserving. but for the reason
stated | would not desire him in my
command as an officer and a social
and personal associate.
1.-THE presence of the applicants
sanity at military post would be sub
versiye of disciplane and their prob
pbls treatment a source of mortifica-
don to them and frequent cause of
trouble to commanding officers. From
an experience of many years l have
found, except In few cases, few COM
DEnitjes where Jews, are received as
desirable social associates"
Taft Orders Inquiry.
In directing the secretary of war
20 inquire into the case President Taft
wrote
Il enclose herewith letter from
Simon Wolf, 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
Gsrrard, set forth in this letter, with
patience and without condemnatory
words that had better not be written.
I wish you would examine the record
and verify the statements of Mr..
Wolf. and. il 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.
''rhe statements made by Colonel
Csrrard are not true with reference
to the standing that Jews have in this
country, and | resent as commander
in-cb!ef of the army and the navy,
that any officer of either should per-
NIT himself in an official document to
give evidence of such unfounded and
narrow race pre1udlce as that con-
tanned in this endorsement.
n "After you have made an examina-
ton of the record please advise me
of your action"
The reprimand as issued from the
White House says that Colonel Gar
rard's attitude in this matter Is strong
ly disapproved as contr~-y to the
ideals and principles of Z ountry.