Intermountain Jewish news., 1926-01-28
Encyclopedia Britannica Denies Prejudice
Editor Explains Why joys Were Omitted from
Article on s'Poetry'

There appears tp be another side to the britannica.
lAnti-semitism controversy
The INTERMOUNTAfN JEWISH NEWS had oc.
lcasion several months ago print extracts from letter
by John Gould Fletcher. English poet critic who
attributed the chapter Poetry in These Eventful
Years published by the Encyclopedia Britannica That
letter torginaliy addressed to the Menoral Journal
strengthened the impression 10y Encyclopedias
article on Immigration that ansemitcaly biased
For Mr.. Fleclcr's in part
I'm my original article | mentioned the names of at
least dozen Jews who had written poetry Of Importance
in France. Germany, England and Amerca" Mr. Fletcher
wrote to the "Mcnorah journal" After my article was
ncccptcd and paid for with surprise that was
to bc shortened. and had parted with copyright
could not protest Practically every jew of
the article.
Perhaps this gives light the question why the
publication little about the Jews As publication
in question has been extensively advertised in
not edited censored and so forth should be
very glad II could give publicity state
ment"
Now Mr. Herbert Brande advertising manager. writes
the Jewish Tcegraphic Agency categoricay denying the
implications Of Mr. FIetcher's comments, saying:
There is absolutely basis for any inference OF
anJewsh prejudice in connection with Ency cyeopaetla
Britannica. As the American Editor states many
stockholders are Jews. large number of employees
also Jews and the number OF Jews contribute
publications far In Of you might expect
fletclcrs letter was apparently written in effort
escape responsibility which is clearly his vigorously
rcpudiate fe false and Injurious Inference which his letter
conveys
Mr.. Brande forwarded to the Jewish Daily Bulletin"
copy Of letter written by Mr.. f. II. Hooper
lean Editcr of thc Encyclopedias britannica, the
Aiencrnh Journal In his letter. Mr.. Hooper stated
1T is difficult for TO understand how Mr.. Fletcher
could have written such letter statements
completely at variance with the facts. The implication
that the Editor aetuated by prejudice absurd
III is false.
The facts simply these when the manuscripts of
the different chapters Of These Evcnfu Years reached
me. found that they the limits of volumes
and was therefore compelled 10 do certain amount OF
infringement In each and every case the proofs
of the articles abridged sent the author
The records show that Mr. Fletcher received proof.
made certain changes and additions it with
letter authorizing its publication in that form.
change made after he OKed the proof.
"The truth is therefore. that the responsibility for
the article printed with Mr. Fletcher If he had
desired change his proof include matter which
he regarded important he perfectly liberty
do As have already stated. he did make certain
changes and additions. Why then did he not add the
names the omission of which he regrets?
Mr.. Fletchers original draft included several long
lists of what he evidently regarded minor poets since
their hardly than mentioned In
densing the article approximately seventy names
struck and Of these perhaps six
Jewish.
1T cannot he strongly stated that racial
scrnons not allowed 10 influence the policies Of the
britannica. The very book in IucstionTheSc Eycntful
learcoutans contributions from six, and perhaps eight.
distinguished Jews, number far in Of the