Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1911-06-05
TAFT REBUKES
SNObB|SHNESS
Will Not Permit Discrimina-
ton in Army Against
Jewish Officers
scATH|NG REBuKE IS GIVEN
Colonel Joseph Garrard at Fort
Myer, Virginia, Severely
Reprimanded.

! (By Special Leased Wire to New Mexican
Washington, d. c., June 5.-Colone
| Joseph Garrard, L. S. A, commanding
the cavalry post at Fort Myer, Va, to
day was reprimanded by the Secretary
OF war, under orders from President
Taft for reporting adversely on an ap
plication OF soldier to take examin
ations for promot.on to the commits
stoned grade because applicant was a
Jew.
The presidents action has now Gre
ated something of a sensation, not
only in army circles, but throughout
Washington. The young soldier in
Volved in the controversy is Frank
Bloom, private in battery F, of the
third field artillery, and is now on
duty on the Mexican border. Several
years ago Bloom was urged for ap-
pointment to West Point. President
Roosevelt, not being in a position at
the time to make the appointment,
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 a good
record, and recently took his first ex-
amlnation for promotion. 1t is said
that Bloom failed on this examination
but in view of the prejudice brought
about by Colonel Garrard's endorse
ment, Bloom will be ordered up for
final examination again in Septem-
ber.
Colonel Garrards's endorsement on
Blooms paper to which President Taft
so strongly objected, when brought to
his attention, was as follows:
The applicant is son of Joseph A
Bloom, OF Jewish persuasion, who is
now and has been for a number of
years tailor at this post His asso-
ciates as far as | know, and that of his
family have been with enlisted men
and their families, and have been re-
spectacle. The young man is undoubt-
edly honest and upright, ambitious
and deserving, but for the reasons
stated, l would not desire him in my
command as an officer and social
and personal associate.
The presence of the applicant S
family at military post. would be
subversive OF discipline and their
probable treatment source of morti-
ficatlon to them and frequent cause OF
trouble to commanding officers. From
an experience of many years, have
found, except in few cases, and in
few communities where Jews are re-
celved as desirable social associates. )"
In directing the secretary to inquire
into the matter, President Taft wrote:
My Dear Secretary i enclose
herewith letter from Simon Wolf,
a lawyer and very prominent and re-
spected citizen of Washington. This
gives to the statement he makes every
OF accuracy and truth. 1t
Is difficult for me to read the endorse
ment of Colonel Garrard, set forth in
this letter, with patience and without
condemnatory words, that had better
not be written. / wish you would ex-
anime the records, and verify the
statements of Mr.. Wolf, and if he has
not been mis-informed and his letter
sets forth the facts-direct that this
young man be admitted to examination
fof lleutenancy in the army. The
statements made by Colonel Garrard
are not quite true with references to
the standing of Jews in this country;
resent, as commander-in-chief of the
army and navy, that any officer of
either, should permit himself in an of.
ficlal document to give evidence of
such unfounded and narrow race pre1-
ndice as that contained in this en-.
dorsement.
After you have made an examina.
ton OF this record, please. advise me
Of your action.
Sincerely yours, -.
WILLIAM H. Taft"