Wah v. Rudikoff

Many a squeamish U. S. citizen believes that a Chinese can live on what an Occidental throws away, suspects that Chinese business establishments -- notably chop suey restaurants and laundries--are unsanitary. Caucasian aversion to Chinese hygiene entered a business quarrel which reached New York City's courts fortnight ago.

To Magistrate Overton Harris in Harlem Court appealed one Sam Wah, three witnesses--Messrs. Lee Sam. Wing and Soo Lee--a Lawyer and Henry Chang. Chinese Consul. They complained that Irving Moskowitz and Max Rudikoff. respective proprietors of the Algonquin and Columbia Laundries, had displayed posters in their windows which Mr. Wah considered an affront to all Chinese, particularly those who wash clothes.

Magistrate Harris was given one of the colored placards--about the size of the pasteboards found in clean shirts--to inspect. He read something harmless about "Help Bring Back Prosperity" and "Don't Let The Money Pile Up." Then he peered at the illustration, one half of which showed an obviously God-fearing white citizen, neatly dressed and ironing something. Then he looked at the other side.

"As I see and interpret this poster," he observed, "one side caricatures Chinese figures. One of them is smoking a pipe, evidently opium, and is lying upon a shelf in the same room with other figures who are employing various insanitary methods of washing clothes. Mice are running around. It seems to me that the printing and pictured effigies on this sign constitute criminal libel . . . and it seems to me that the picture attempts to ridicule all Chinese laundrymen including the complaining witnesses in this case."

Defendants Moskowitz and Rudikoff were charged with criminal libel. Denied was a motion to bring similar charges against the Manhattan & Bronx Laundry Owners' Association as distributors of the poster.

Last week the case was heard before Magistrate Edward Weil. Magistrate Weil eyed the witnesses idly, then suddenly leaned down from the bench and spoke to Defendant Rudikoff.

"Aren't you my laundryman?"

Defendant Rudikoff nodded.

"For how many years?"

"Twenty years."

"I prefer not to hear evidence in a case involving my own laundryman," said the magistrate. "Case postponed until Feb. 4."

This file is automatically generated by a robot program, so reader's discretion is required.