The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-06-08
ARMY MAN LASHEO
FOR SLUR ON JEW
President Rebukes Col. Joseph
Garrard for Action.
STING IN LETTER BY TAFT
commandments Denies Statement
OF Officer That Jewish Men Are
Not Socially Equal to
Gentle,

Washington, June 6.-Colonel Joseph
Garrard. U. s. A., commanding the
cavalry post at Fort Myer, Va, was
severely reprimanded by the secretary
OF war, under orders from President
Taft. Tor reporting adversely an APP
plication of Frank Bloom, private
in the Third field artillery. now on
duty on the Mexican border. for the
right to take examinations for promo
ton to commissioned grade on the
ground of Jewish parentage.
The presidents action has caused
much comment, not only in army
cirC,es, but throughout Washington.
Failed Via West Point.
Several years ago Bloom was urged
for appointment to West Point. Presi-
dent Roosevelt, not being in a posi-
tioh at the time to make the appoint
ment, suggested to Bloom that he en-
list and, like 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 made good record, and recently
took his first examination for promo
ton. 1t is said that Bloom failed in
this examination, but in view of the
prejudice brought about by Colonel
Carrard's Endorsement, the soldier will
be ordered up for final examination
again in September.
On this point President Taft, in
letter to Simon Wolf of this city. said:
Il 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 eX
posed to any unjust prejudice"
"Not Desired as Associate"
Colonel Garrard's Endorsement on
Blooms papers to which President
Taft so strongly objected. when
brought to his attention, was as fol-
lows:
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 as
sociates, as far as | know and that
of his family have been with enlisted
men and their families and have been
respectable. The young man is UNI
doubtedly honest and upright, ambi-
tious and probably 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 applicants
family at military post would be
subversive of discipline and their
probable treatment source of morti-
fication to them and frequent cause of
trouble to commanding officers. From
an experience of many years l have
found, except in few cases, few CON-
munities where Jews are received as
desirable social associates
President Moved to Wrath.
In directing the secretary of war
to inquire into the matter, President
Taft wrote in part:
1T is difficult for me to read the
Endorsement of Colonel Garrard, 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 misinformed-and his
letters set forth the facts-direct that
this young mar be admitted to ex-
animation for lieutenancy in the
army.
THE statements made by Colonel
Garrard are not true with reference
to the standing that Jews have in this
country; and | resent, as commander
in-chief of the army and the navy, that
any officer Of either should permit
himself in an official document to give
evidence of such unfourded and mar
row race prejudice is that contained
in this Endorsement. After you have
made an examination Of the record
please advise me of your action"