CHARITIES - CORPORATION ORGANIZED FOR POLITICAL PURPOSES AS A CHARITABLE ORGANIZATION

A statute provided, in substance, that bequests in a will to charitable organizations may not collectively exceed one-third of the estate of a testator leaving heirs. Plaintiff, a legatee under a will, appealed from a decree which found the American Jewish Congress was not a charitable organization and therefore was entitled to the full sum bequeathed to it. Among the corporate purposes stated in the articles of incorporation were: (a) to further the development of the Jewish National Home in Palestine, and (b) to secure and maintain equality of opportunity for Jews everywhere. Held, decree reversed; although incorporated for political purposes, the corporation is a charitable organization, and its bequest must be reduced accordingly. ln re Murphey's Estate, 7 Cal.

(2d) 712, 62 P. (2d) 374 (1936).