Omaha daily bee., 1911-06-06
RACE NOT BAR TO PROMOTION
Any Officer Who Disseminated
Against Jew is Reprimanded.
IETrER OF PRESIDENT TAFT
colonel GnrrHrd, Who Refused to
Allow soldier to Take ENamina-
tiOn Hears from Conn
mandcr-in-Chief.


WASHINGTON. June 5-Colonel James
Gatrard. U. s. A.. commanding the cav
airy post at Fort Myer. Va, today was
reprimanded by the secretary Of war un-
DER orders from President TAFT for report
ing adversely an application " soldier
Tor the right to take examinations for pro-
motion to commission grade On the ground
OF Jewish parentage. The president said
il was hard to deal with the matter with
patience and without condemnatory words
that tad better not be written"
The PRESIDENT action has created sen
satiou throughout wash nglcn. TIE young
soldier involved in the controversy Is
Frank Bloom, private in Battery + O.
the Third field artillery, and IS now on
duty on the Mexican border Several years
ago Bloom was urged for appointment. to
West Point President Roosevelt not be
ing in a position at the time TO make tho
appointment suggested to Bloom that no
enlist and like a true American fight his
way from the ranks. The young man took
the advice, entered the army, where he Is
sald to have made a good record, and rs-
Gently took his first examination for pro-
motion.
II is said that Bloom failed on this ex-
animation, but in view Of the prejudice
brought about by Colonel Garrard's en-
dorsement, Bloom will be order cd 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 ex-
animation to which Private Bloom ls sub
jected is one in which he will be given a
fair chance and not BIO exposed to any
unjust prejudice"
what Colonel Gnrrnrd Wrote.
Colonel Garrard's endorsement on Blooms
papers to which President Taft go strongly
objected was as follows: SEA
The applicant Ia a son OF Mr.. Joseph A.,
Bloom, Of Jewish persuasion, who Is now
and has been for a number Of years, a
tailor at this post His associates as far
ns know, and that OF his family have
been with enlisted men and their families
ana have been respectable. The young
man Is undoubtedly honest and upright,
ambitious and deserving but for the rea-
sons stated / would not deeire him in my
command as officer and social and
personal associate, The presence OF the ap-
be in subverslve Of discipline and mis-
probable treatment a source OF mortifica-
ien to them and frequent cause of trouble
TO commanding officers, From an exper-
fence of many years I have found, except
in few cases. few communities where
Jews are received as desirable social as
sociates.
Letter of President.
In directing the secretary of war to in
auire into the matter, President Taft wrote;
II enclose herewith q letter for Simon
Wolf, a lawyer and a very prominent and
respected citizen of Washington, This
gives to the statement he makes every
presumption OF accuracy and truth. 1t is
difficult for me to read the endorsement Of
Co I'd arfH tta hi laft
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. II
he has not be misinformed-and his letter
sets forth the facts-direct that this young
man be admitted to examination for lieeu-
tenancy In the army The statements made
by Colonel Garrard are not true with refer
ence to the standing that Jews have In
this eountryi and resent, as commander
in-chief Of the army and the navy. that
any officer of either should permit him
self In an official document TO give evil
deHee Of such unfounded and narrow race
prejudice as that contained in this en-
dorsement.
After you make an examination Of the
record please advise me of your action"
Text OF Reprtmand.
Word OF the reprinand issued from the
White house today was as follows
The president directs the secretary of
war to inform Colonel Gsrrard that his at
titude on this matter Ia strongly dlsap-
proved az contrary to the ideals and prln-
olpies OF this country.
Colonel Garrard has been told that he
had not the moral right 20 exert influence
IN his official position to bar the advance
mont OF courageous and efficient young
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