Ica Reports Progress in Work Among Russian Jews

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

In spite of the rather difficult general economic situation in Soviet Russia, the work of the Jewish loan banks continued to develop, the Jewish Colonization Association here reports. The Ica is at present supporting in Russia 170 group banks, with a membership of 75,000. Credits have been granted ## the beginning of this year to 39 ## banks and 60 new banks: the office of the Ica in Moscow still continues to receive a large number of applications for credit aids coming from the new banks. The visits of the inspect## of the Ica to the provinces show that there is every prospect of a good number of these institutions developing rapidly, if support is given them at the beginning of their activity.

The Council of the Ica at its last session decided to vote a new credit for the benefit of these banks.

The Jewish Colonization Association reports that the new colonists established by it in the Saporejir dis## are, generally speaking, devoting themselves with enthusiasm to their work and proving themselves to be capable farmers. They work the fields themselves, and assist in the building of their houses.

The total area of the fields sown with winter wheat in these colonies arounts to 220 hectares and the spring corn covers an area of 1,700 hectares. The tractors of the Ica have worked an area of 1,500 hectares. One hundred and fifty houses are in course of construction and it is expected that by the end of the summer 350 houses will have been put up.