The sun., 1919-10-13
RABBI WISE STANDS
PAT ON LABOR VIEW
Tells Congregation He Will
Quit Pulpit Rather Than
Retract Words.
HE ASSAILS GARY AGAIN
Calls Some Members Of His
Own Flock Creators Of
Bolshevism.

pofb OIL In6 FTee oyHdEoSuo VI
DR.. Stephen s. Wise Is Rabbi thinks that
Dr.. wise's espousal of the cause Of union
labor and his denunciations from MS
Pulpit of Ebert H. Gary renders his re-
tention as head Of the Free synagogue
undesirable, the outspoken rabbi wants
to know 1t at once.
Thus assured, he told his congregation
yesterday, he win resign. Furthermore
If Ii is proved to him that his attacks
upon Judge Gary and his championings
of the right of labor to bargain collec-
lively have brought Jews into dsrepute
or II he is to be subjected to any sort
OF a gag-mild or otherwise-he Will re-
sign from the ministry altogether ana
take himself off to TUNE place and some
other field of endeavor. where he may
and will talk along lines dictated by MS
conscience.
These statements DIR. Wise set forth
in his sermon yesterday to his congre-
cation in Carnegie Hall. He talked
oven palmer than usual. He left moth
ing to the imagination. He disavowed
and excoriated Bolshevism. He declared
that in his congregation of 1.l0e Jews.
all Of whom were not present. there were
some who blushed for his economic the
cries. He said that already he had re-
ceived seven letters more or less out
spoken in their demand that he quiz his
pulpit. Then he declared that there
were those listening to him who were
opposed to his economic creed because
they we're afraid of trade unionism and
looked for Judge Gary to fight their
fight for them.
Big Audience Hears Him.
Seldom has DR.. Wise spoken to
larger audience. Some of the most In
f!uential Jews In New York we're pres
ert. Likewise full hundred employ
ers Of clothing makers and other, needle-
work trades listened. Several labor
leaders were in the congregation.
Ii there were any present who thought
that Or. Wise was going to depart from
his anti-Gary position, either by WORD
or absence of word. they were mistaken.
The rabbi not only repeated his state
ment of last Sunday that Judge Gary
and his associates in the United States
Steel Corporation were among the most
prolific breeders Of bolshevism In the
United States" but added that there
We're those listening to him who were
quite as dangerous.
Just what Dr. Wise will do IL ne re-
signs remains to be seen. He was
asked whether, in such an event, he
would actively associate himself with
the American Federation of Labor.
Likewise he was asked whether. resign
or not, he would now go to the steel
fields and make speeches to the strikers.
I'D rather not discuss that at pres
ent," he replied.
i-9It is evident from the tone of DR..
wise's sermon that the letters of pro-
test he has received charge him with
injuring the character of the Jewish
leople, for he said:
a-swere I persuaded that, right or
wrong, true or false, my word would
permanently and irremediably hurt my
people, would not be silent. but would
49, Of 4ha Taxxrt al
pulpit. I am ready to-day to make the
test I offer my congregation the priv
ilege of passing upon the question
Whether 1 ought TO remain as their
leader and continue to be free TO speak
as. have spoken. I shall not be Of
tended by any action which my people
may choose to take.
AFT 1t seem best in their sight that
7 withdraw from their ministry, as God
is my witness and as / believe that
God will judge between me and them
tat assail me- ! will withdraw with
nothing but friendship and good will
and affection for every member of my
congregation, whether I continue to
serve II or whether the hour has come
for my withdrawal.
49,
9nH VIII Not he Fettered.
ssI make no contract with the congre-
cation. serve 1t at Its pleasure. IL
the congregation or any considerable
number of the members deem q better
in the interest of the Jewish people that
withdraw from It's pulpit shall dc
so without a moments hesitation. The
decision rests with you. But be It un'
derstood that within or without the pull
pit shall speak the truth as I see It.
\ shall be governed by my conscience.
shall be hin6ered by no fears, shall
consult no motives OF selfshness. God
help me and you alike to see and to d.
what Is right in His eyes
at f. easy enough to stand for some
taSne when no one Is hurt. As some Of
fcers or the Synagogue said TO me a few
flights ago. this matter Is a very prac'
tical one for us II your views prevail
Il means great loss and hurt to u.s.
There are two charges which hav'
been made with respect to the word Of
This pulpit last Sunday. One is that
have spoken disrespectfully of Judg'
Gary.
"Why are some of you SO disturbed
about an attack on Judge Gary?., Why
so sensitive in respect to my references
to him2 I know the reason perhaps a.
well as some of you. Because he is Il
many Of you become a symbol, becaus'
he is fighting your battle, the battle
which you would fight on the morrow 4
you dared, the battle which you believ,
he will win for you without your he'll
because you imagine that II Garyisn car
win unionism will be doomed and al
Forkingmens organizations be smoth
cred.
The other charge which l will no
tice for a moment and then allude TO /
10 more is that 1 an undermining tn
fewish name, that ! have hurt the Jew
tsh position by what l have said anC
done in the steel and iron Industrial sit
nation. II that be true, If could brlnI
myself 10 believe that TO be true, when
over the moment comes that feel Their
Is any truth In that claim, that momen
VIII I leave the Jewish pulpit and for
swear it forever"
Reason for His Attitude.
DIR. Wise explained his reason 70,
setting forth his opinions OF all thos,
opposed to the organization of workers
He said that the Free Synagogue planned
10 erect a million dollar home and tina
be did not wish TO appeal for and re
eeive funds from persons who nigh
later say that had they known DIR
Nise's economic theories they woult
have withheld their subscriptions
y Furthermore. he said he had decide,
H>to keep silent about the steel strike afte
President Wilson had called the con
Ference Of capital and labor. which /
now under way In Washington. But Judg
Gary's refusal to arbltyte with IN
strikers Embossed his tongue he said
speaking Of the hearings held by IN