David A. Brown, of Detroit, prominently identified with national Jewish movements and director of the last $14,000,000 American Jewish Relief Campaign is cooperating unofficially as a non-Zionist in the Keren Hayesod Campaign which will open its New York drive on Wednesday next week, according to information obtained today. Mr. Brown recently returne from Palestine and was so enthusiastic over what has already been accomplished there and the possibilities for future development, being impressed the while with the relation of Palestine to the problem of World Jewry, that he has consented to serve in the Keren Hayesod Campaign, which has for its goal a fund of $5,000,000.
Mr. Brown spoke last night at a meeting in the Hotel Astor, held under the auspices of the Keren Hayesod, when he made the statement that service and not enthusiasm will rebuild Palestine.
The principal speaker of the evening was Professor Elwood Mead of the University of California, who submitted his first public report of his survey of Palestine, made at the invitation of the World Zionist Organization. The rural colonization of Palestine has passed the pioneer period, said Professor Mead, who made the prediction that Palestine is destined to become “the Southern California of Asia”.
“Science, skill and industry can make of the plain of Esdralon and the Valley of Jezrell”, he said, “as great a picture of rural charm and agricultural opulence as row gladdens one’s vision in going from Los Angeles to San Bernardino.
“The Jews are bringing to their ancient homeland the same optimism and energy which characterize my home State”.
Funds for the development and the financing of land buying on a large scale are the immediate need in the rebuilding of Palestine, according to Professor Mead.
Judge Bernard A. Rosenblatt presided over the meeting.
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