The Birmingham age-herald., 1911-06-06
MIR. TAFT REDUKES COL. GARRARD FOR
 RACE PREJUDICE Sensation Created By Off, ficer's Conduct Toward
 Jewish Private
DOES NOT DESIRE JEW AS OFFICER
Garrard Says Young Man Is Honest and Respectable But Not Desira-
 ble as Social and Per-
 sonal Assistant

l Washington, June 5.-Presfdent Tatls1 today rebuked Col Joseph carrardl commanding the cavalry post at Fort l Myers, Va, for disappearing Private Frank Blooms effort for promotion be- cause of Blooms Jewish parentage. Col onel Garrard's indorsement character izea Jews as not desirable social as- soeiates," and President Taft imme- diately directed the Secretary of War to investigate the matter. The Presi- dent stamped the expressions as those Of narrow race prejudice The war de- ra1tment pointed out that there have
 been many jews among the army offi-
 cers
 Notwithstanding the Presidents irt-
 quiry directed to the Secretary of War
 as to what should be done to discipline Colonel Garrard. the incident has been practically closed with the rebuke. The jdepartment decided there was no ground
 for courtmartlal, an officer being ar liberty to express his actual belief as to the availability of any candidate from the ranks. It was concluded that the Presidents object would be best served by the publication of the corr | respondence and with the delivery of q copy to Colonel Garrard with a letter from the Secretary of War duly ad- 1nonishng him not to repeat the in l dorsement.
 l Private Blooms next examination win take place in September, but just where will depend upon his company's station at the time, the usual plan be- I ing to hold the examination at several of the large army posts.
 The Presidents action has created a sensation throughout Washington. l Entered the Ranks
 Several years ago Bloom was urged , for appointment to West Point. Presi- dent Roosevelt not being in a position at the time to make the appointment , suggested 10 Bloom that he enlist and. . tfftce true tnloricans hght hts wav i.Ss B from the raDks.'f The young man took l the advice, entered the army where he | is said to have made good record and recently took his first examination for promotion. It Is said Bloom failed in
 this examination but In view of the InreJud brought about by Colonel Gar | rard's fndorsement, Bloom will be orr l dered up for final examination in Sep tember.
 On this point, President Taft, in d letter to simon Wolf of this city said; T shall take steps to see the examin- alton to which Private Bloom is sub | iected Is one in which he will be given 1 a fair chance and not exposed to any unjust prejudice"
 Colonel Garrards indorsement on Blooms papers, to which President Taft so strongly objected when brought to bis attention was as follows. ''The applicant Is son of MT. Joseph | A. Bloom of Jewish persuasion, who is now and has been for number Of years a tailor at this post His asso- citations. as far as I know and those of his family have with enlisted men and their families have been respecta- ble
 ",rhe young man is undoubtedly hon. est and upright. ambitions and proba- bly, deserving, but for the reasons
 stated I would not desire him in my
 command as an officer and a social , and personal assistant The presence or the applicants family at a military
 post would be subversive of discipline
 and their probable treatment a source of modification to them and frequent , cause of trouble to commanding off, oers From an experience of many years | have found except in few cases few
 communities where Jews are receiveo as desira ble social assistants.
 In directing the Secretary or War to inquire into the matter Presidet Taft l wrote;
 Wolf's Letter
 MY Dear MT. Secretary-I enclose herewith a letter from Simon Wolf. l lawyer and very prominent and re- l spected citizen of Washington. This | +ba ctot Q makes every l presumption of accuracy and truth It 1 is difficult for me to read the indorse-s ment of Colonel Garrard set forth Tn | this letter with patience and without condemnatory words that had better not | be written.
 .I wish you would examine the rec ords and every statement of MT. Wolf | and If he has not been misinformed anu his letter sets forth the facts. direct that this young man be admitted 10 eN- | animation for a lieutenant in the army. l .The statements made by Colonel car | rsrd are not true with reference to the . | standing that Jews have in this country and I resent as commander in chief ol the army and navy that any ofncer or | either should permit himself in an or | fical document to give evidences or sucn unfounded and narrow race preJudices as that contained in this endorsement.
 After you have an examination of the record, please advise me Of your acton. Sincerely yours,
 1 (Signed w. H. TAT r.
 Word of the reprmand issued from tho
 White House today was as follows:
 "The President directs the secretary of
 war to inform Colonel Garrards that
 his attitude in this matter is strongly dis-
 approved as contrary to the ideals and
 principles of this country.
 "Coione Garrard has been told that he
 had not the moral right to exert influ-
 ence in his official position to bar the
 advancement of a courageous and eff
 cient young man simply because that man
 was ot Jewish race. that such procedure
 indicates not only prejudice that should not be found in an o4 cer of his posi- tion and experience bA amounts to a failure to justly and fa\ consider the merits and claims of tie applicant aA'
 shown by his efficient service and ex- cellent standing. in the mental examina- tions
 "Colonel Garrard has been adnonished
 to avoid repetition If the action tAksA in this case