Brown Refutes Merezhin’s Attack on J.d.c.; Budgets for Work in Russia Were Met

(Jewish Daily Bulletin)

David A. Brown, national chairman of the United Jewish Campaign when interviewed here by the representative of the Jewish Daily Bulletin commented on the attack of Merezhin in the Moscow Communist daily “Emes,” which asserted that Russia received too little from the proceeds of the United Jewish Campaign and demanded an accounting.

“I cannot see what right Mr. Merezhin has to demand of the J. D. C. an accounting as to our activities,” Mr. Brown declared.

“To answer the statements made by Mr. Merezhin in his editorial,” Mr. Brown continued, “I would like to point out–first, we have sent broadcast throughout America from time to time the total amount of our collections. The latest one showed that we had collected approximately eleven million dollars out of total subscriptions amounting to $21,500,000.

“Second, we have repeatedly published audits and statements showing how the funds of the J.D.C. have been expended during the past 14 years, giving itemized details of these expenditures in the many countries in which we have been active.

“Third, Merezhin’s statement that our campaign has been conducted only under the slogan of colonization in Crimea is wrong, for all of our publicity has dealt with our work both palliative and constructive in Europe, Palestine and with Russian colonization.

“Fourth, Russia has received all of the moneys allocated to it from time to time, and the budget of Dr. Joseph Rosen for colonization has been completely met, and in addition, we have given considerable sums for trade schools, hospitals, loan cassas and other forms of relief in that country.

“The funds from our present campaign have no relationship with any further negotiations with Russia, for it is my understanding that our agreements with the Comzet are such as to carry out fully our present plans.

“I do not quite understand Mr. Merezhin’s assertion that ‘an answer was important also because the J. D. C. has now practically entered an ideological block with the Zionist Executive.’ As a member of the J.D.C. I know of no negotiations with the Zionist Executive and the J.D.C. that would carry the term Ideological Block,” Mr. Brown declared.