The New York herald., 1921-04-06
EINSTEIN NOBODY
ALDERMAN WHO
BARS SCITY HOMAGE
Falconer. Harvard Gradu-
ate. Never Heard of Visit
ing Scientists
STARTS REGULAR FIGHT
Fists Fly and Lie Passes as
He Blocks Grant of City's
Freedom.
SCORED AS JEW HATER
Wife of EaIaous Theorist Loses
Gold Heirloom at City Hall
Reception.
STARTS REGULAR FIGHT
SCORED AS JEW HATER

For two hours yesterday afternoon
Alderman Bruce NJ. Falconer blocked
every effort of the Board Of Aldermen
TO confer the freedom of the city on
DIR. Albert EiEstein. promulgator OF
the theory Of relativity; DR.. Chain
Wiezmann, inventor of INT and in
Sensational head of the Zionist move
ment and other members OF the Zion
ist party who arrived this week to
arouse American interest in the Pales-
tine project.
Falconer, who is a graduate. of Har-
ward and representative Of the SO
called silk Stocking District" in the
board declared he never had heard of
DR.. Einsten or DIR. Weizmann until
their names were read in the resolu-
ton OF Aldermen Louis Zeltner and
Moritz Graubard of the lower East
Side, and Samuel r. Norris OF Harlem
and added: .I am firmly convinced
that only distinguished and we'll known
persons should be granted the free
dom of the city"
The entire board was unable to con-
vince him that the visitors were quail
fed in that respect, and Falconer forced
he resolution over until the next meet
;Ig. Upon the request or President IT,
n. la Guardia Mayor Hylan Immediately
called special meeting OF the board
for Friday
The session was a constant uproar.
which was continued after adjournment
when spectators swarmed on the floor
and took Falconer to task. An argument
catween two spectators. who fled when a
policeman was called, resulted in a fist
.ight A similar encounter between Fal-
coner and Justice Gustave Hartman OF
the City Court, member of the Mayors
committee to welcome the Zionist visi-
tors, was averted only by the interven-
ton OF friends.
FaIconer Passes Lie.
Justice Hartman shook his fist in Fal-
coners face and accused him OF block
iKg the resolution because he hated the
Jews. Falconer denied II and called
tire Justice liar. Apologies were called
for by both, but were not forthcoming
Meanwhile Alderman Thomas NJ. Far
ley was shouting that F'alconer not only
was anti-Semitic, but also anti-Catholic,
and for that reason had opposed the
freedom of the city TO Archbishop Man.
nix of Australia several months ago.
The argument and disturbance In the
chamber lasted for half an hour after
adjournment and was Joined in by sew
eral women who had come down from
the spectators gallery.
Both Falconer and Justice Hartman
are Republicans. Justice Hartman de-
clared political war on the Alderman, as
did several others in the room. Alder
nan August Ferrand Republican floor
leader told Falconer that he was after
publicity. but went too far this time
Falconer was able to hold up action OF
the board because under the rules unani-
nous consent is required for considera-
ton OF a resolution upon the day Of its
introduction. The rules committee held
hurried session in an anteroom while
Falconer was speaking and brought in a
report recommending suspension of the
rules Falconer accused the committee
OF unfairness and promptly killed the re-
port. which also required unanimous
consent Falconer also accused Vice
Chairman William p. Kenneally. who
presided when the. session opened, of un-
fairness in enforcing the debate limit
rule.
Replies Arc Bitter.
Numerous members tried to make IL
clear to Falconer that every one except
him knew VINO Dr. Einstein and DR..
weizmann were and their histories were
outlined repeatedly. Replies TO Falconer
were marked by extreme bitterness. Al
derman Jacob w. Friedman, fellow
Republican, said:
II ask that this resolution be with
drawn and laid upon the table. because
It can mean nothing after such farce
as this. The honor now would be too
cheaply bought This situation is the
result of one mans pighcadedness
against the Jewry OF New York. Az a
Jew I resent this and ] shall not for
get IT,"
The stormy session OF the Aldermen
began only an hour or two after DR..
weizmann, DR.. Einstein and their party
had loft the Mayors reception room IN
City Hall, where during the morning they
had been the guests OF the city nj a
public reception. Dr.. weizmann and Dr.
Einstein were greeted there by George
W. Wickersham. formerly United states
Attorney General. as two OF the most
conspicuous men of science In the world. :
During the course of the reception Mrs
Einstein lost a gold lorgnette and chain,
an heirloom.