The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1911-06-05
TAFT CONDEMNS
ANTAGONISM TO
JEWS IN ARMY
Scathingly RebHkes Com
mander of Fort Myer
Cavalry Post.
CONTINUED from First Page)

cial document to give evidence of such
untounded and narrow race prejudice
as that contained in this Endorsement. "
Evidenced Race Prejudice.
In reply TO this letter, Secretary
Dickinson told the President that such
an Endorsement had been made by
Colonel Garrard, and that ne did not
| In any measure concur in II. He fur
ther stated that the Endorsement gave
evidence of narrow race prejudice not
TO be expected from an officer of the
army
He told the President, however, that
the disqualification of Private Bloom
was in no wise Influenced by Colonel
Garrards Endorsement, but that the SOL
der had failed to obtain the percentage
! required by the War Department in two
| separate subjects of his written exam
ination and that his general average on
the entire mental examination was below
requirements. He states, however, that
in view Of the circumstances, he will
see to 1t that the young man is given
another chance and will be permitted to
take the final examination in Septem-
her. 1t is in sending this letter to Mr..
Wolf that the President says he will
make sure the test is fair one.
The matter was brought to the atten-
ton of Mr.. Wolf by Elizabeth Bloom,
mother Of the private, who says she and
her husband worked hard to give the
son an education, so that he might have
chance in the world. She asked that
If there was no possibility of his ad-
vancement in the service, he be honor
ably discharged and permitted to get
into some line where he could advance.
Presidents Reply.
In reply to Mr. VOLTS first letter,
directing the Presidents attention to
the Garrard Endorsement. President
Taft replied as follows:
White House, May 8. 1911.
My Dear Mr.. Wolf:
Il have your letter. and without COM
the Secretary of War. I shall advise
you Of further steps in the matter.
wv. H. TAFT"
Letter to Dickinson.
White House. May s, 1911.
Ny Dear Mr.. Secretary:
I inclose herewith letter from 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 Colonel Gerrard, set
forth in this letter, with patience and
better not be written. I wish you would
examine the record and verify the state
ments of Mr.. Wolf, and II he has not
been misinformed-and his letter sets
forth the facts-direct that this young
man be admitted to examination for
lieutenant in the army. The statement
made by Colonel Garrard are not true
with reference to the standing that Jews
have in this country; and / resent, as
OF the Army and
the Navy. that any officer of either
should permit himself in an official
document to give evidence of such I'M
founded and narrow race prejudice as
that contained in this Endorsement.
After you have made an examination
of the record pleases advise me of your
action. Sincerely yours.
Second Letter to Wolf.
After receiving Secretary Dickin
sons reply asserting that such an
had been made and say
ing he would give the soldier another
chance the President wrote Mr.. Wolf.
inclosing a copy of a second letter
he had directed to the Secretary of
War. as follows:
The White House,
Washington, May IL.
Ny Dear Mr.. Wolf:
/ inClose to you a copy of a letter
I have just received from the Secre-
tary of War, which explains itself
shall take steps to see that the ex-
to which Private Bloom is
subjected is one in which he will be
given a fair chance and not be eX-
posed to any unjust prejudice.