St. Paul recorder. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1934-2000, 1958-11-28
A Little Fair Play Needed.


Underlying the entire campaign in Minneapolis to invest
gate the ownership Of several Of the most successful retail liquor
outlets inspired largely by the political campaign charges made
by badly defeated George MacKnnon Republican candidate for
governorhas been dsqueng note that this paper thinks
ought to be aired.
The "No 1 whipping boy in Minneapolis newspapers for
many Isadore Blumened known in the
papers as Kd Cam figure legendary the Prohibition days
Whenever has been necessary create few headlines the
name kid Cam invaluable prop for stories
ing from street company investigations to multiplicity OF
other aegedy devious propositions against the public welfare
During all Of these newspaper headlines with the exception
1885 when Bumened charged with felony and found
not guilty all Of the talk and ink spread about him has
been just thaahough has been limited without proof that
he the sinister individual behind hundred different illegal
enterprises have been able ascertain all Of his
business ventures for the decades have been legitimate
For the first time since 1885 the public has been getting
full rehearsal Of just what about Bumenheld
namely that he and his family brothers. sisters cousins nlaw
friends ETC. such good business people that they have owner
ship or interests number Of profitable liquor stores in
Minneapolis
The question naturally arises Isl what's wrong about
hati This newspaper dozen families in Minneapolis
who in dozens of enterprises and nobody has
challenged their right have multiple business interests
This selection of family in city persecute because
In other days member Of the family alleged have dealt
la prohibition period booteggng, and other activities, is
little variance with American Of fair play which
says from devious ways he is to be for
given and given chance TO square himself with society This
reasoning been literally thrown out Of the window in the
Isdadore Bmenfeld We have idea the extent of
Bumenfeds business interests but do know he is under
criminal Indictment that there any indication that he is
involved any other pursuit except that Of the legitimate chase
the dollar which the preOecupaon of most American bus
mess Nobody has presented evidence that he has been
engaged in any illegal operations for 20 years.
Let no one assume that plea for Blumened personally
Apparently he is well prepared to take Of hmsef-bu
this plea fair play for both he and his family Disturbing
as anything about the liquor investigation admittedly
aimed the Bumenfed family the underones of religious
and racial bgoy implied IL spoken admitted in
the controversy conversations heard about the
the fact that the Bumenfield family Jewish, plays dis
proportionate part in discussions Of the case.
We wonder for example il the family of white Pro
estant was as occupied the ownership and management of
retail liquor outlets the Bumenfeld family II there could
be such a hue and cry in the city
We yet any enterprsng thoughtful business
man. black or white Protestant Catholic who did try
place his relatives in strategic places in business in
which he was involved Apparently this alright in in
stances and not proper others the Blumened
be considered a criterion.
We can see difference between man group of
men obtaining large control Of the liquor market and
or group gaining control should say monopoly in
the flour milling business,
If the courts decide that there something wrong
the presence family of relatives in the liquor business in
Minneapolis which don't think they will, will then be
time TO pass judgement the present municipal ordinance
against multiple ownership Until that time that making
the Bumened family the avorite whipping boy of headline
seekers is neither fair decent II the family doing
thing illegal that another thing but until that IL established
we think Bumened family has just much right 70 be in
the business of their choice anybody else in Minneapolis