Change Settlement Plan in Bureya; Difficulties Greater Than Expected

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The difficulties in making Bureya a place for settling Jews on the land are greater than was expected, according to an exhaustive report submitted to the presidium of the Ozet, Society for Settling Jews on the Land. The report is the result of an investigation conducted during the past two months by a special Ozet delegation and by the Jewish Communist leader Merezhin.

“The complications are worse than Prof. Bruck’s expedition reported. We found most of the land required ameloiration. Most of the area is mountainous, making farming and road construction difficult. The arable and dry land is sufficient only for settling 25,000 families. This land is partly occupied by the local population. Houses for the settlers must be built now and not within four years, as the Comzet originally planned. The preparatory work alone will require an investment of one million roubles. It will cost forty roubles to clear one acre. The best American machinery is needed to make the enterprise successful. The comzet finds itself compelled therefore to change its original financial plan and to settle only 10,000 families in the next five years. These 10,000 families are to include 2,000 artisan families who are greatly needed and who can earn there a good livelihood,” the report states.

Mr. Merezhin takes occasion to declare that the Ozet does not expect the participation of the Agrojoint, the agency of the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, in the Bureya

project in view of the fact that “Mr. Marshall and Mr. Warburg have entered the Zionist carriage.”

It appeared probable that the Comzet, the Government Commission for Jewish Colonization Work, will be asked to decrease its credits for Jewish colonization work in other parts of Russia and the Ozet will give up its other work and devote its funds entirely to the Bureya project.

Mr. Merezhin’s report also states that the rice plantations could be made a success only if the best American technique is applied there. He recommends that the Comzet send a commission to the United States to study American rice plantation methods. If the rice plantations are successful the Comzet may attempt to float a loan on the crops to expand the work. It was also stated in the report that in addition to artisans, unskilled Jewish laborers may find work in Bureya in the lumber camps where they may earn five roubles daily in the season from November to March.

Dr. Joseph A. Rosen and Dr. Ezekiel Grower of the Agrojoint, as well as A. Bragin. participated in the discussion of the Merezhin report. All emphasized that the disclosure of the facts minimized the belief in the successful consummation of the Bureya plan.

Dr. Grower emphasized that the minimum cost of settling one family in Bureya would amount to 4,000 roubles.

Efrem Zimbalist’s fiddle, stolen more than a year ago, from his dressing-room in Los Angeles, was returned to the famous violinist at his summer home near New Hartford. It was traced through its being offered for sale by a musician in Chicago.

The violin is a Guadagnini, one of the rarest of the 18th century Cremones Similar one have been bought for $25,000 by collectors.

National leaders of the B’nai B’rith have been invited by the Portland. Oregon Lodge to the dedication of the B’nai B’rith Summer Camp, at Neotsu. Oregon, on July 22, 1928. Six years ago the B’nai B’rith of Portland, Oregon, with the cooperation of the rest of the community started the summer camp as an experiment.

Harry M. Kenin, Camp Director, stated that close cooperation between the camp and the Y. M. C. A. has been effected Professors of Carlyle University will lecture at the camp.