The sun., 1919-02-01
VICTORY CHAIRMAN
ON HEARST'S TRAIL
Jonas Resigns, Gets Vote Of
Confidence and Declares
War on Publisher.
DEFENDS BECK'S LOYALTY

Brooklyn Academy of Music
Row Starts Lawsuit and
Bitter Feud.
Nathan S. Jonas, who as executive
chairman OF the Brooklyn Victory Cele-
bration Committee angered william r.
Hearst and embarrassed Borough Presi-
dent Riegelmann by declining to elimi-
nate the oratory of James NJ. Beck from
Wednesday evenings mass meeting In
the Academy OF Music, received n vote
OF confidence from the executive COM
mittee yesterday afternoon. He read his
resignation and asked Mr.. Riegelmann,
who was present. to accept It on the spot.
Well aware that nearly the whole
committee would march out with the
chairman, the Borough President. who
Is being ground between at least two
political mills, asked for time to consider
what he should do. This was given to
him. But Mr.. Jonas gave his friends on
the committee to understand that he
might lead them over a rough trail II
tHty STUCK Dy MIN, TOT ne WAS BOiib "
devote himself to fighting Mr.. Hearst
even II he were killed for it. He said.
after reading an editorial article in the
Evening Journal. that he accepted the
challenge, and he added:
There's got to be somebody in this
country to answer demagogues and
traitors. and IL have to be the man,
and the only man, I'll do H."
Several OF his friends arose TO say they
fully comprehended the trouble that
might lie ahead and were willing to meet
1t with Mr.. Jonas.
Meeting Is Well Attended.
The meeting was held in room OF the
Brooklyn Chamber OF Commerce, 30
Court street Nineteen OF the twenty
four members OF the executive commit
tee were there. Besides Messrs. Riegei-
mann and Jonas they were -. Foster
Smith. president OF the Nassau National
Bank Victor a. Lersner, comptroller Of
the Williamsburg Savings Bank: A. {.
Bedford, chairman OF the Standard Oh
Company Frederick Il. Pratt. Gen. John
G.. Eddy. Park Commissioner John y.
Hartman. Frank J. Helrnle. Fred Gretsch,
James Sherlock Davis. president OF the
Brooklyn Chamber OF Commerce Joseph
A Guider. Commissioner OF Public
Alexander VI. White, Andrew r Sull-
van. Meier Steinbrink, Herman Neader-
land and Mrs Walter Shaw Brewster.
In his letter to Mr.. Riegelmann Mr..
Jonas. who is president of the Manufac-
turers Trust Company. said in part:
"A few weeks ago ! publicly stated
that II friction arose between us l should
resign. This I did not do before. as
would not retire under fire or in the
dee - r4, teal
so vital 10 the life nd good name of
the community were involved. ! now
tender my resignation, to take effect
Immediately. and SO that you, Mr.. Pres
hent. may have the privilege and OPP
portunity OF appointing as chairman OF
your official committee one who can
work with you more tremendously and
pleasantly than ] now find myself able
10 do"
Refused TO stuItify Himser.
Regarding the Beck incident, Mr..
Jonas told the committee that pressure
lad been brought TO bear upon him to
make him do something that I could
no do without s.ultifyng myself and
Illuminating the community"
But the question" he continued. "is
beyond individuals. There IL a menace
to this community which somebody has
got TO meet. l accept the challenge con-
tained in this paper Che held up n clip
ping from the Eremin0 JourndiD. and
Will give my answer TO II after a little
Thought"
The chipping was an editorial article
headed Throw Those Irish Out" II
said that was the cry in the Academy
of Music when Edmund O'Connor and
John Z. Sullivan were expelled by the
police and provost guardsmen.
This editorial" said Ny Jonas. AT
tenrts TO raise the race issue and is
false in every particular"
Meier Steinbrink. bes2eak!ng 4 vote o.
confidence for Mr.. Jonas SAID
The issue is whether or not Mr.
Hearst and the New York American
and Journal arc going to dictate TO the
Brooklyn celebration committee. Any
man who impugns tho patriotism of
James NJ. Beck must either be insane or
ignorant OF history. When Mr. Hearst
and his papers were defending the sink
Ing OF the Lusitania. Mr.. Beck was pre-
senting the case against the murderers
of Edith Cavell When the American
was spreading Germanlc propaganda Mr.
Beck was circulating The Evidence In
the Case Tho attempt to force Mr..
Peck out OF the Academy OF Music pro-
gramne was made because Mr.. Hearst
do not want him in"
Mr.. White Refuses to serve.
Alexander NJ. White made the motion
OF confidence and everybody voted
AYE" except Messrs Jonas and Rlegel-
mann, who asked 70 be excused from
voting. Mr.. Jonas then pressed his