Jews of Eastern Europe Now Worse off Than Ever Before, Says Dr. Bramson

That the economic situation of the Jews of Eastern Europe is now worse than ever, was the statement made Wednesday by Dr. L. Bramson, president of the World “Ort” Organization, to a representative of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency, on his arrival in New York.

“The Jews of Poland are now going through a terrible time,” said Dr. Bramson. “Every day thousands of Jews there lose their occupations, and up to now about 800,000 Jews have been deprived of their means of support. In Soviet Russia the Jewish economic situation is getting worse; according to our latest reports, one-third of the Jews there are declassed and pauperized. In the other smaller countries, especially in Bessarabia, the situation of the Jews is sad indeed. Great renewed efforts are necessary to strengthen the reconstruction work being carried on now by Jewish organization.

“The purpose of my present visit to America, which is the third since 1922,” said Br. Bramson, “is to acquaint Jewish public opinion in this country with the achievements of the Ort during the past year in Russia, Poland and Lithuania. In connection with the new problems which have arisen, we shall consider here, together with the American Ort leaders, many questions dealing with the future continuation of (a) the People’s Tool Campaign; (b) activities among the Landsmanschaften; (c) our attitude towards the proposed new campaign of the Joint for Eastern Europe, and various other matters.”

Dr. Bramson then described the activities of the Ort as consisting of (1) To help youths and adults to learn trades; (2) To help Jews become farmers; (3) Provide machinery and help Jews in other ways to enter industry.

Dr. Bramson will be the guest at a reception this Sunday at 4 P. M., at the Hotel Astor, arranged in his honor by the American Ort leaders.