Watertown leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1909-1911, 1911-06-09
ARMY MAN LASHED
FOR SLUR on JEW
President RebukeS Col. Joseph
Garrard for Action.
STING IN LETTER BY TAFT
Con1mander-in-Chie Denies Statement
of Officer That Jewish Men Are
Not Socially Equal to
Gentle.

hington.-President Taft re-
buked Colonel Joseph Garrard, COM
handing the cavalry post at Fort
Frank Blooms effort for promotion be-
cause of Blooms Jewish parentage.
Colonel Garrard's report characterized
Jews as not desirable social associ-
ates" and President Taft Immediately
directed the secretary OF war to in
vestigate the matter The president
stamped the expressions as those OF
narrow race prejudice. The war de-
partment pointed out that there have
been many Jews among the army Of
f1cers.
The presidents action has caused
much comment not only in army
circles, but throughout Washington
Several years ago Bloom was urged
for appointment to West Point Presi-
dent Roosevelt, not being in a posi-
uon at the time to make the appoint
ment, suggested to Bloom that he en-
list and, like true American" fight
his way up from the ranks.
The young man took the advice, en-
tered the army, where he is said to
have made 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
Carrard's Endorsement, the soldier will
be ordered up for final examination
again In September
On this point President Taft, in
letter to Simon Wolf of this city, said:
II shall take steps to see that the
examination to which Private Bloom
Is subjected is one in which he will
be given 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
brought to his attention, was as fol-
lows:
1.-THE applicant is a son of Joseph
A Bloom of Jewish persuasion, who
is now, and has been for a number
of years, tailor at this post. His as
sociates, as far as I 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 probably deserving, but for
the reasons stated | would not desire
him in my command as an officer and
a social and personal associate.
1.-The presence of the applicants
family at a military post would be
subversive of discipline and their
probable treatment a source of morti-
fication to them and frequent cause of
trouble to commanding officers From
an experience Of many years I 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 matter, President
Taft wrote in part:
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 of Mr.. Wolf, and, if he
has not sbeen misinformed-and his
letters set forth the facts-direct that
this young mar be admitted to ex-
animation for a lieutenancy in the
army.
"The statements made by Colonel
Garrard are not true with reference
to the standing that Jews have in this
country; and I resent, as commanders
ln-chief Of the army and the navy. that
any officer Of either should permit
himself in an official document to give
evidence Of such unfounded and mar
row race prejudice as that contained
in this Endorsement. After you have
made an examination of the record
please advise me of your action"