New-York tribune., 1921-04-09
Aldermen Vote
Prof. Einstein
City's Freedom
Falconer Only Member of
Board Who Is Opposed to
Honor to Scientist and
DR.. Weizmann, Zionist
Calls Visitor Alien Enemy
Offers Proof of German
Citizenship; Debate Is
Marked b. Bitterness

granted the freedom Of the city to
Professor Albert Einstein, scientist and
propounder of the theory Of relativity
and DR.. Chain Weizmann, president of
the World Zionist Organization, who
are visiting this country in the inter-
est of the Zionist movement.
The vote on the resolution was Sc to
1, Alderman Bruce M. Falconer who
precipitated a near-riot at the regular
meeting of the board Tuesday by
blocking unanimous consideration, be-
ing the only member to vote in the
negative.
The proceedings at the special meet
denunciation OF the lone Republican
alderman by his colleagues, as we'll as
by his political opponents. Excitement
was more intense than at Tuesday 8
meeting, and the short and ugly word
was hurled at Falconer b. several of
his associates. The publicity given
to the incident on Tuesday drew a
crowded gallery of spectators, most of
whom expressed open hostility toward
the .objecting alderman. Aldermanic
President La Guardia had much diff
ficulty in maintaining even a semblance
OF order at certain points of the debate.
Alderman William T. Collins, leader
Of the Democratic majority; August
Ferrend, Republican minority leader,
and 3. c. Vladeck, Socialist leader, ali
joined in attacking Alderman Falconer
in speaking in favor Of the resolution.
They plainly told the objector what
they thought of him and his objec-
tions. They styled him as a bigot.
ignorant and un-American, attempting
to stir up class hatred. Alderman
Falconer read long prepared state
ment of his position in regard to the
resolution, declaring that his chief OBJ
lection to granting the freedom of the
city to Professor Einstcin was that
the latter was German subject. This
was heatedly denied by several of the
speakers for the resolution, who said
they had undisputable information
that DR.. Einstein was a subject Of
Switzerland.
Calls Einstein Alien Enemy
After the storm of abuse had sub
sided around the head of the lone
Alderman, Mr.. Falconer arose to ex-
plain that he had obtained his in
formation in regard to the history of
Or. Einstein in q letter from George
w. Wickers nam, who, he believed,
would not OBJECT to his name being
1nnde public in connection with the
matter in visw of the excited con-
troversy it had stirred up. He said
that Mr.. Wickersham felt rather
strongly on the subject. Mr.. Wicker
sham delivered the speech of welcome
to the Zionist Representatives at the
recent reception rendered to them at
the City Hall.
said Alderman Falconer in his pre-
pared statement, 81 have been assured
in writing by the most reliable au-
thority that he was born in Germany
went as a youth to Switzerland; that
IN 1911 he was professor at the Univer-
sity of Prague, Bohemia, in Austria,
and then prior to the beginning of the
war returned to his native country
Germany, and became professor at the
University of Berlin. He is conse-
quently citizen of an enemy country
with which this country has not yet
made treaty Of peace, and conse-
garded as an alien enemy"
Alderman Falconer declared that he
entertained no prejudice against Jews
and had no intention of stirring up
race hatred. Some of his best friends
had been Jews, he said. He had no
quarrel with the cause of Zionism,
which the two men represented. He
explained that at the time the resolu-
tion was first presented to the board
he had not known that Professor Elm
stein was the scientist who propounded
the theory of relativity of space and
time, but as that had not been wholly
believe that distinction alone war
ranted the granting of the freedom Of
the city, He declared this was the
greatest honor the city could bestow
upon any man and it should not be
granted lightly or without though tful
consideration, as he had given the case.
Then he led up to his strongest reason
for objecting, presenting his informa-
ton in regard to Professor Einstein's
German citizenship.
Einstein "S1ndent" at C.. C.. NY.
Professor Einstein became a student
at the College of the City of New York
yesterday afternoon. His period Of en-
rollment was brief, however, and he ia
now again possessed of all his profess
serial rights.
He attended a class in mathematics
and physics and listened to an explana-
tion of his discovery of the theory of
relativity by Professor Edward Kasner.
of Columbia University. Also present
were Sidney E. Mezes, president of the
college, and number of advanced stu
dents.
Professor Einstein, who understands
English, although he does not speak it..
complimented Professor Ksaner on his
lecture. Then Professor Einstein spoke
for twenty minutes in German. in
which he cautioned the students that
1T Is unw1se to keep their "noses too
close to the grindstone" if they desire
to succeed in the field of science. The
theory of relativity, he said. was formu.
lated after long and repeated expert
ments. He said he could not be sure
OF its truth until he found that he was
aoIe 10 explain and account for New
tons law of gravitation through his
own discovery of the theory Of rela.
tfvity. When he could do so. he felt
the thrill of the discovery, he said. and
once sure of his grounds he progressed
rapidly with mis- work.
More than fifty thousand ann,,cs