Peter Smidowitch, vice-president of the U.S.S.R. and chairman of the Comzet, the government office to settle Jews on land, died here today at the age of 61.
Mr. Smidowitch’s death came suddenly. He had been active in his duties to the last and was especially interested in the development of Biro-Bidjan as an autonomous Jewish district in the Far East.
Mr. Smidowitch was a member of the praesidium of the Wzik, the All-Soviet Central Executive, which is equivalent to the American Congress. He was also chairman of the government committee to support the national minorities in Northern Russia. Another post he filled was that of chairman of the government committee for cultural problems.
PARTIAL TO COMZET
Despite the numerous important offices he held, Mr. Smidowitch devoted most of his time to the Comzet. The organization of five autonomous Jewish districts in different parts of Soviet Russia is due chiefly to his initiative and activity.
Mr. Smidowitch, who was not a Jew, was especially interested in helping the American Joint Distribution Committee in its colonization activities in Soviet Russia. His chief ambition was to adapt the Jews to farming and to artisanship. He also cooperated in the work of the ORT, the organization to promote artisanship among Jews throughout the world.
The sudden death of Mr. Smidovitch has deeply stirred Jewish circles here. Mr. Smidovitch, although vice-president of Commu-
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.
