Sir:
Never before has the need of our co-religionists been greater than now. The Joint Distribution Committee has done its duty faithfully in presenting to American Jewry the true conditions abroad. At a time when every effort must be bent, every resource utilized, the better to assure success to a cause whose worth is indisputable, it is proper to seek aid.
Baron Maurice de Hirsch dedicated his fortune to humanity. The greatest benefactor of his age, no man’s has ever equalled his devotion to his race.
The International Colonization Association received more than fifty million dollars ostensibly to aid the suffering Jews of all nations.
When the help that is sought is so great, one naturally wonders, what of this fund, what is Ica doing to improve conditions?
It is amazingly difficult to find out anything about Ica. Save for the Encyclopaedic articles there are but its reports, published annually.
An examination of the latest report [1] which appears to be available was very disappointing. It fails completely to tell what Ica is capable of doing and is wanting in the following data, all of which is most important if any understanding is to be had of the operations of Ica:
1.The total amount expended for relief work.
2.The funds available for relief work.
3.The conditions under which this gigantic charitable trust fund is administered.
4.The names of those who administer it.
5.The method by which they acceded to office.
6.To whom the directors are responsible.
7.The cost of administration.
The question naturally suggests itself–is Ica doing all it can? American Jewry has a right to know.
DAVID COHEN, New York, Apr. 21, 1926.
[1] Jewish Colonization Association, Rapport de la Direction Generale au Conseil d’ Administration, et., Paris, 1925.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
