Milford chronicle., 1911-06-09
TAFT BEFRIENDS
HEBREW IN ARMY
RGprimandS Colonel GarTdrd For
Opposing Advance.
ACTION CAUSES SENSATION
President Writes Sharp Letter Re-
l garding Report Of Cavalry Com.
9 mandant at Fort Meyer.

1 earding Report Of Cavalry Com.
Q mandant at Fort Meyer.
President Taft has ordered the sec.
..etary of war to administer a severe
lublic reprimand to Colonel Joseph II.
Eerrard. cavalry commanding officer
if the military post at Fort alyer, Va,
bT exhibiting prejudice against a pri-
vate in his command because Of the
soldiers Jewish extraction and the
social standing Of his family"
The president said it was hard to
deal with the case with pat ence and
without condemnatory words that had
better not be written"
The presidents action has created
something OF a sensation, not only in
army circles. but throughout Wash
fngton.
The young soldier involved in the
controversy is Frank Bloom, a private
Battery F, of the Third Field Ar
4 Mery He is now on duty on the Mex
lcAn border.
Several years ago Bloom was urged
for appointment to West Point. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, not being in a posi-
tion at the time to make the appoint
ment. suggested to Bloom that he en-
list and. like a 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'ma good record. and re emily
took his first examination for promo
fion. II is said that BloorH failed in
this examination. but in view of the
prejudice brought about by Colone.
Garrard's > endorsement, Bloom will be
ordered up Tor final examination again
in September.
on this point the president in
letter to Simon Wolf of Washington .
said:
Il shall take steps to see that the /,
examination to which Private Bloom
is subjected is one in which he will be
given a fair chance and no. be eX /
posed to any unjust prejudice.
Colonel Garrards endorsement on
Rhnru's papers. 20 which President /
'-71 strongly objected when it was
BaA to his attention. was at fol
lows
"The applicant is a son of Joseph .
A. Bloom, OF Jewish persuasion, aYho
is now. and has been Tor number OF .
wears, a tailor al tais post His asso-
citation, as far as / know. and that OF
his family. have been W enlisted
men and their families, "a have been
respectable
"The young.s n is undoubtedly
honest and upright, ambitious and
sprobably deserving, but for the reason
stated l would not desire him in my
command as an officer and social
and personal associate.
"The presence OF tRe applicants
family at a military post would be sub
-versive of disciplane and their prob
able treatment a source of mortifica-
tion to them and frequent cause Of
trouble to commanding officers. From
an experience of many years / have
found. except in few cases, few COM
munities where Jews are received as
desirable social associates.
In directing the secretary Of war
70 inquire into the case President Taft
wrote:
Il enclose herewith a letter from
simon Wolf. lawyer and very promi-
nent and respected citizen of Wash
IngtOn. IhlS gives 10 tht 9tatSiiiSH'
he makes every presumption OF accu-
racy and truth It is difficult for me
10 read the endorsement Of Colonel
fsarrard. 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 been misin-
formed-and his letter sets forth the
eaets-iirect that this young man be
admitted to examination for lieu
tenancy in the army. =
"The statements made by Colonel =
Syarrard are not true with reference 4
a. the standing that Jews have in this q
country, and / resent as commander F
sn-chisf u the army and the navy