National Affairs: Recordkeepcr

Into the Brooklyn Supreme Court last week went a lawyer named Murray M. Pomeranz with a petition for the removal of Hyman (“Hymie”) Schorenstein, Democratic boss of Brooklyn’s dense, dark Brownsville district, as the county’s $7,500 per year Commissioner of Records. Declared the petition: “Schorenstein does not meet with qualifications as a suitable person for office, since he can neither read nor write English or any other language. …” A Supreme Court justice issued an order to show cause why Commissioner Schorenstein should not be ousted as an illiterate.

A Hearst newshawk interviewed Commissioner Schorenstein as follows:

Q. Can you read or write English?

A. That’s my own personal business.

Q. Don’t you think a Commissioner of Records should be able to read and write?

A. What difference does it make?

Q. Did you ever go to school?

A. I had no time. I came here when I was 10 and led a horse around for a factory. I had to support my mother. I joined the party when I was 18 — no, change that, make it 21.

Q. How are you going to answer this matter?

A. Ach, yet! Everyone knows me and every one knows that man [Pomeranz]. Listen, when a dog bites a man that’s news. When a man attacks a dog that’s a difference.