Ica Issues Report on Its Russian Colonization Work

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency Mail Service)

A detailed report on the Jewish colonization work in the districts of Mariupol and Zaparoje, where land was recently granted for the purpose by the Soviet Government to the Ica (Jewish Colonization Association) has just been received here by the Ica Head Office. The new colonists began to arrive towards the end of March and fresh settlers are still arriving. Forty-one colonists were settled by the 15th of June. They came from all the provinces of the Ukraine, but the majority of them from Kamenetz Podolsk.

By the 6th July, 19 groups of colonists, comprising 129 families, were settled on their allotments. This first group consisted of 22 families of farmers, 16 families of tobacco planters, 4 families of carmen, 8 families of traders, etc. Altogether there are 260 persons capable of work. The group has at its disposal 111 horses.

The new farmers have been settled on three of the four estates granted to the Association. Having arrived late, they were not able to sow a large area. There was abundant rainfall in June and a satisfactory harvest is consequently expected.

The management of the Ica has introduced tractors for field work. Six conductors under the supervision of a special tractor mechanic have been engaged by the Association for this work. Two hundred desiatins have already been ploughed and much more could have been accomplished but for the unceasong rainfall from the end of May till the 18th of June, which compelled the work to be suspended.

The Ica has advanced to the colonists the sums necessary for the purpose of providing sowings, provender, cattle and building materials. The agricultural experts of the Ica have arranged the settlement of these new colonists according to the usual procedure and according to the conditions outlined in the estimates.

Gothic Lodge, No. 934, Free and Accepted Masons, established two Scholarships in memory of two of its members, to be known as the Harry Jay Friedman Memorial Scholarship Fund and the William Alperstein Memorial Scholarship Fund.

These Scholarships will bring to the students receiving them $200.00 a year each, and will be based upon scholastic standing, general fitness, and financial condition.

Marcus Loew, head of the Loew theatrical enterprises, was decorated with the medal of the Legion of Honor by Maxime Mongendre, Consul General of France.