Ica Will Embark on Large Colonization Program in Russia with the J. D. C.

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

The Jewish Colonization Association will work in close cooperation with the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee in the land settling plan in Russia, James N, Rosenberg, vice-chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee stated when interviewed here by the correspondent of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency before his departure for Russia.

“My conversations in Berlin with the leaders of the European Jewry and a study of the carefully compiled statistics of the Joint Distribution Committee’s Berlin office give me two pictures with regard to present day Jewish life in Poland and Russia,” he stated.

“The picture of Jewish life in Poland is one of gloom and despair. Over 75 per cent of the Jewish workingmen in the Republic of Poland are unemployed. Business is at a standstill. Not less than 100,000 Jewish children are in dire need. I am not an alarmist. By habit acquired in the course of many years, I demand adequate evidence. With this state of mind, I am obliged to admit that at least one-fourth of the three million Jews in Poland are in urgent want. The situation beggars words,” Mr. Rosenberg stated.

“A different picture is represented by the Jewish life in Russia. I am making this statement at the Berlin office of the Joint Distribution Committee, where I see on the walls oil paintings in brilliant and beautiful colors by the Russian Jewish artist, Rybak, whom Dr. Joseph A. Rosen invited to the Ukraine to paint what he saw there. Here are the pictures. On sunlit, glowing fields, Jewish youths are driving a tractor; Jewish girls are ploughing the fields; old Jews driving wagons loaded with hay; flags flying over little huts; a seven year old Jewish girl is riding on a horse; old bearded Jews are mending a harrow.

“In 1917, 53,000 Jews were tilling the soil in Russia. Today 120,000 Jews are dwellers in these fertile fields.

“Among the leaders with whom I have conferred in Berlin was Louis Ounger, director of the Jewish Colonization Association. As a result of my long talks with him I am overjoyed at the report that the Ica has, within the last month, completed its own, independent technical research work, concerning the Russian agricultural work. As a result of this research, the Jewish Colonization Association is about to embark on a large agricultural land settling program in close cooperation with the Joint Distribution Committee. Definite tracts have already been allotted to the Ica for agricultural development. The work has already been started. Thus, we have renewed proof, through independent sources, of the great value of the work in Russia.” Mr. Rosenberg stated.

When asked about Palestine. Mr. Rosenberg said that the Joint Distribution Committee in the past ten years has spent $60,000,000 of which $7,000,000 went to Palestine. “No further proof of the Joint Distribution Committee’s interest in Palestine is needed. All the directors of the Joint Distribution Committee have a deep interest in that great inspiring movement toward helping the upbuilding of Palestine, but we cannot shut our eyes to the needs of the Jews in other countries.” he stated.

Mrs. Florence P. Kahn. Republican Representative from California, who succeeded to the seat of her husband. Julius Kahn, when be died, made her first speech on the floor in Congress on Thursday, addressing herself to a ball for the reapportionment of House membership based on the census of 1930. She was applauded as she took her place at the rostrum and had the close attention of the House and galleries.

Mrs. Kahn is one of three women member of Congress.

Two hundred lawyers, judges and their guests gathered at the Brooklyn Unity Club at the first annual dinner of the Lawyers Club of the Brooklyn Federation of Jewish Charities. Judge Mitchell May was the principal speaker.

Meyer Strinbrink was postmaster. Judge William S. Carswell and Sir Frederick MrGill were among the speakers.

Mr. Myre Glass. Palestine Hebrew baritone same pres the radio from Station WGBS at ### on Saturday evening May 1. He sang the ### Christian Palestine songs including “Halaloyeh” “Arah in Haroden “Shir Hashabarian” and “Macharhrab”.

Mrs. Aaron Levy of Chicago was elected ### three year term as ### of the ### State council of ###-Teachers Associations now in session at Champaign IR.