The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-06-06

ident Roosevelt, not being in position
suggested to Bloom that he enlist and
"like true American" fight his way
up from the ranks. The young man
took the advice, entered the army,
where he is said to have made good
record and recently took his first ex-
animation for promotion. 1t is said that
Bloom failed on this examination, but
in view Of the prejudice brought about
by the Colonel Garrard Endorsement,
Bloom will be ordered up for final ex-
animation again in September.
letter to Simon Wolf OF this city said.
''I 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 exposed
to any unjust prejudice"
Garrard's offense.
Colonel Garrard's Endorsement on
Bloom s papers to which President Taft
so strongly objected, when brought to
his attention, was as follows:
'.Tbe applicant is a son of Mr.. Jo-
seph A. Bloom. of Jewish persuasion
who is now and has been for num-
ber of years a tailor at this post. His
associations, as far as | know, and
that of his family have been with en-
listed men and their families and have
been respectable. The young man is
undoubtedly honest and upright, am.
bitlo2s and deserving, but for the rea-
sons stated ! would rot desire him IN
my, command as an officer and a social
and personal associate The presence
of the applicant s family at a military
post would be subversive of discipline
and their probable treatment source
OF modification to them and frequent
cause of trouble to commanding off
GERS From an experience Of many
years ] have found, except in few cases.
few communities where Jews are re.
celved as desirable social associates -
Taft's Letter to Secretary.
In directing the secretary of war to
inquire into the matter, President Taft
wrote:
ssMy Dear Secretary: l enclose here.
with letter from Simon Wolf, law
yer and very prominent and respected
citizen of Washington. This gives TO
the statement he makes every presump
tion of accuracy and truth. It is diff
hcult for me TO read the Endorsement
of Colonel Garrard, set forth in this
letter. with patience and without CON
demnatory words that had better not
be written. / wish you would ex
anime the record and verify the state.
meGts of Mr.. Wolf, and if he has been
correctly informe med-and his letter sets
forth the facts-olrect that this young
man be admitted TO examination for a
lieuIepancy in the army. The state.
ments made by Colonel Garrard are
NOT true with reference TO the stand.
ing that Jews have in this country
and | resent. as commander of
the army and the navy, that any off
Ger of either should permit himself,
IN an official document, to give evil
dence of such unfounded and narrow
race prejudice as that contained in this
Endorsement
"After you have made an examina-
tion Of the record please advise me of
Your action. Sincerely yours,
(SjgnedD "WILLIAM H. TAFT
The Reprimand
Word of the reprimand issued from
the White House today was as follows,
1.-The president directs the secretary
of war to inform Colonel Garrard that
his attitude IN this matter is strongly
disapproved as contrary TO the ideals
and principles of this country
''Colonel Garrard has been told that
IIc had not the moral right to exert
Influence in his official position to bar
the advancement Of a courageous and
efficient young man simply because that
man was of Jewish race: that such
procedure indicates not only prejudice
that should not be found in an officer
Of his position and Importance, but
amounts TO failure to justly and fair.
~ consider the merits and claims of
the applicant as shown by his eff
cent service and excellent standing
n the mental examinations,
Colonel Garrard has been admou-
ished to avoid a repetition of the ac.
INN II Enn fhis ,,