New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-06-26
.UTTMAN'S COMRADES
DENY RACE FEELING
Suffers Board Hears Charges
Made by Former National
GuardSman.
COMPLAINANT ON STAND
Witness Declares Colonel Barth-
man Told Him officers Would
Refuse to Associate
with a Jew.

Samuel Lttman. Of No. I5O Dekalb
avenue. Brooklyn formerly a sergeant in
company &, 4th Regiment. of the New
York State National Guard. testified be-
fore Governor Suffers board Of inquiry
at the hearing yesterday afternoon in
the city Hall. that he was not promoted
to higher Office in the company because
Colonel Henry C.. Barthman would not
call an election when the colonel knew
that Littman was the only candidate for
the place. because he YVES a Jew.
"Afterward / met the colonel said
Lttman. "and he said the incident was
closed, that / could not he elected and
that the vacancy would be left open as
long as / was a candidate
Littman was the only witness called
yesterday afternoon. Lieutenant Colonel
Herman Bendel presided at the hearing
which was opened by Adjutant General
Henry Hamilton. Commander J.. NJ.
.Iosephthal Naval Militia. and Lieutenant
Colonel Henry S Sternberger, Commits
sary Department Of the National Guard.
were the other members of the board Of
inquiry.
In answer to questions Of Maurice Sim
mons, Littman told the history OF his
connection with the guard. First he be-
longed TO Company r. Sth Regiment. In
New York City. but because Of his re-
moval TO Brooklyn he obtained dis
charge and joined Company b, 18th Regi-
ment.
II Joined at the invitation of Captain
John n. Bloom, who told me that the
method / took was the best way TO get
around the red cape" said Mr.. Littman.
II was asked 10 Join to help work up the
company. which had declined. and at times
there were only two squads on the floor
at drills. I was advanced until l held the
position of senior sergeant when re-
signed. had a 100 per cent record, which
could not be eXceled.'
When there came a vacancy in the Of
fee Of second lieutenant the witness said
he was the only man mentioned for the
place, and that he was told by Captain
Tiffany. then captain Of the company, that
he would see Colonel Barthman in his be-
half.
Captain Tiffany was one Of the recruits
! had obtained" said the witness. THE
others had gone up TO commissioned Of
fees. but I didn't Captain Tiffany was
strong for me When he reported the
vacancy 10 Colonel Barthman the latter
asked II I was Jew. and when Captain
Tiffany said l was the colonel said he
would defer action"
The witness said Colonel Barthman told
him
You have been highly recommended
for the position. However. If I permit
you n be elected. because Of your race it
would cause dlssension in the council Of
officers l could make them salute YOU,
hut could not make them associate with
YOU Your position would be untenable to
you, so that / would have TO ask you 70
resign
AT no time did any one raise the ques-
tion Of your military record for any other
reason except that you were Jew" the
witness was asked. to which he answered
"No"
Lieutenant Colonel Bendell asked the
witness mo objections were made by the
commanding officer when you received
your certificates as corporal and sergeant,
were there?"
NO" was the witness answer.
Mr.. Bacon then submitted a document
signed by a majority Of the members Of
Humans company. stating that even had
an election taken place they would not
have voted for him and regulating the
allegation that ne had been Disseminated
against because of his religious faith
One member Of the company, Corporal
Swartz. signed another statement saying
that he would have voted for Littman had
he been nominated.