(By Our Moscow Correspondent)
The peninsula, Changar, and the island, Kauk Tup, off the Crimean coast were allotted by the Ukrainian Comzet for Jewish colonization. The peninsula, adjacent to Crimea, consists of 18,000 desiatin land, of which 4,000 are not arable. It lies to the south of the Genitchesk region in the district of Melitopol and is divided by the Charkoff-Crimea railway line.
To the north, the peninsula curves into a narrow neck of land connecting it with the mainland. From all sides it is washed by the Sivash Bay. Along a distance of 23 versts (161 miles) the railway line cuts through Changar with its main stations at Changar and Sivash, so that the reserve for Jewish colonization is mainly within three to four versts of a railway station. The remotest points are seven or eight versts from a railway station.
The reserve is 20 versts from the terminal at Genitchesk and 90 versts from the district town Meletopol.
The peninsula is connected with the north Ukraine by a small strip of land at the station Solokove, through which the Crimean railway passes. To the south, it is connected with the Crimean peninsula by the well known Dombe bridge and further to the east by a wooden bridge across the Sivash Bay. These reserves are 40 to 60 versts from the Crimean Jewish colonies and will be easily served by the Agrojoint.
J. Kantor, writing on the subject in the Communist daily “Emes” states:
“In the district of Melitopol, which is the richest corn belt of the Ukraine, the Changar region is considered of an inferior class. This is the reason why this penirisula is as yet sparsely populated. In truth, however, in years of good harvest Changar produces the best crops, which often reach 250 pud per desiatin. It is true, the local population often suffers from bad crops, but this is explained by the fact that it still employs ancient methods of cultivating the land. The greater part of the inhabitants consider it more profitable to engage in the raising of cattle and they have therefore neglected the land. According to the opinion of expert agonomists Changar can easily feed its inhabitants with plenty, provided the land is well cultivated and if proper methods of cultivation are introduced. Some part of the land is good for truck farming because it is washed by the Sivash Bay.
“When one considers the short distance to the railway stations and the nearness to such a consumer as the Crimean peninsula, it is obvious that truck farming would be very profitable.
“The entire peninsula can accommodate 729 families. The old inhabitants consist of 273 families. With the exception of a few villages, the old inhabitants are scattered on individual small farms throughout the peninsula. Four hundred and fifty plots are available for Jewish settlers and it is expected that 350 Jewish families may be settled there.
“The land is watered. It has ### wells, some of which are fountains. More wells will be dug.
“A land survey will be completed on August 1, when it is expected the first Jewish settlers will be able to go on the land. It is planned to start this year with 250 families.
“The island Kauk Tup is near Changar and can easily be connected by a bridge. Up to now it has been used exclusively for pasture, which is considered of the best. No population is resident there. When a water plan will be successfully introduced, it will no doubt be one of the best pieces of land.
“The immigration to Changar has great advantages: first, a Jewish majority can be created on the peninsula because of the fact that it is almost separated from the other regions. This has great significance. At any rate, there is no compact non-Jewish long settled population. Secondly, additional significance is given by the nearness of the railway centers of Crimea and the connection with the outside world. It is also near the larger Jewish reserve in the district of Djankay.”
Ten more manufacturers not members of the employers’ association agreed to union terms, increasing the number of settlements in the garment strike to twenty, Louis Hyman, strike leader and chairman of the joint board, announced.
Terms embraced in the settlements include a wage scale raise, limitation of sub-manufacturers, a guarantee of 36 weeks of employment and the 44-hour week. Cutters will receive from $44 to $52: piece tailors from $32 to $40; operators $50 to $55; bushelers and examiners $25 to $42, and pressers $42 to $53.
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