New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-02-23
RABBI SEES COUP
HID IN BIBLE PLAN
Encroachment of Relig-
ious Liberty in Schools,
Says DR.. Silverman.
MAKES REPLY TO
WORDS OF PASTORS
Why Not Ingersolrs Lectures
for Public Pupils? Asks
Jewish Preacher.

Statements by DR.. Alexander Girls
void Cummins, rector Of Christ
Church, Poughkeepsie, and BY Dr.
Jowett, Of the Fifth Avenue Presby-
terrain Church. in favor Of the bill re-
curing the daily reading Of ten verses
Of the Bible in the public schools OF
this state were vigorously challenged
yesterday by Dr. Joseph Siivermsn'
rabbi Of Temple Emanu-El
DR.. Cummins had said the objection
TO the Greiner- Tallett bill was narrow
seetsrianism and recommended that IN
order no; TO offend any sect the parts
Of the Bible 20 be read should be
chosen by a commission representing
all denominations. DR.. Silverman sald
.here could be no such compromise IN
the question Of Bible reading, and so
many Catholics and Jews had protested
against the bill, not because Of mario"
sectsrinnism. but because they were
TOO wi6eawake 10 permit such an en-
croAchment on their religious liberty
In answer 10 Dr. Jowetts claim that
the Bible was the best kind OF htera-
ture, and that therefore young peoPIe
should be made familiar with u, u
Silverman said that It was imPosslole
70 read the Bible without comment,
"The very intonstion Of the voice ana
the emphasis on particular WORDS
said Or. Silverman, the omission OF
certain words ard phrases and the
grouping Of particular verses together
for reading. all these tricks OF read
ing the Bible are in themselves com
ment on what is read.
Dr Silvermar said that he loved the
Bible just as much as dld Dr' JoWeIV'
ri that he did not believe that Eng
Gsb nreeedents should be followed in
his country. "Our government is
based on the principle Of religious lib
ertv and the separation Of tn Church
from the State he said. The state
ma no right, .ccording T. the Consti-
tuition. 20 make ny law in favor OF or
AGAINST any religion. Any attempt at
compromise, So h as DR. Cummins sug-
gests. is merely q subterfuge. Inc
bible should be read in the churches,
Sunday SCHOOL, ard the home, but IT
has absolutely no place in public non
seetarian schools. II the Protestant
version Of the Bible IS read IN the
schools there is no reason why niger,
soils lectures denouncing the Bible and
religion should not also be read
DR.. Silvermsn announced that the
Eastern Council Of Reform Rabbis, OF
witch he Is vice-president and Of which
DR.. N. II. Harris is head, would meet
m afternoon to take definite action
against the Greiner-Tallett bill The
council will then unite with the protest
committee appointed by the New YORK
BOARD OF Jewisl Ministers last week 70
feht the measure in Albany when II
comes up for passage within the next
few days.
Senator Charles c. Lockwood, Of the
Fourth District, has sent a letter to the
Rev, DIR. Max Raisin, rabbi of the Put
nam Avenue Temple, Brooklyn, IN
which he foreshadows the defeat OF
the Bible bill. "My opinion is that II
will surely not be reported out OF com,
mittee In its present form and wal
have hard shedding in the Senate: II
nav not even pass the Assembly, tor
was told yesterday that II would be
reeommitted 70 the Assembly commit
tee for amendment"
According to information received
from Albany, Assemblyman Tallett IL
ready TO amend the bill so as TO over
come present objections.