Position of Declassed Jews in Russia Very Pitiful Says Report Submitted to Federation of Jewish Reli

Although a considerable number of the Jewish youth have been enlisted into the heavy industries now being established on a large scale, the situation of the declassed Jews, 1.e., the former merchants and professional men, who have been deprived of all rights, as well as the children and those physically unfit for work, is very pitiful, Mr. S. Koldofsky, who recently returned to London after staying in Russia for several months as the representative of the Federation of Jewish Relief Organisations of Great Britain, states in speaking of the economic position of the Jews in Russia, in the course of his report submitted to the Executive Committee of the Federation.

Owing to the fact that they are not possessed of bread cards, he explains, they are obliged to seek such food as they can obtain in the open markets, at exorbitant prices. While the official price of bread is only 7½ kopecks per pound, the declassed have to pay anything from 40 kopecks per pound in Moscow to 350 kopecks per pound in the Crimea.

The position has now been greatly aggravated, he proceeds, by a recent decree depriving the individual koustars of their bread cards. These koustars comprise a large number of artisans, such as tailors, bookmakers, barbers, etc., who have been working on their own initiative. All these koustars are now obliged to obtain their bread supplies in the open market, and prices are rising steadily in consequence of this influx of the newly-declassed. The Jewish population in the towns and town lets, as well as in the new Jewish colonies, are suffering greatly from the food shortage.

The object of Mr. Koldofsky’s visit to Russia was to investigate the position of the Jewish population in connection with the relief work and to make the necessary arrangements for carrying out the terms of the recent agreement entered into between the Federation and the Soviet authorities, under which the Federation is to send £20,000 annually for the relief of the declassed Jews in the Ukraine and White Russia. Of the total amount, 75 per cent. was to be disbursed in reconstructive and industrial relief, such as opening and supporting training workshops, promoting industrial enterprises, providing raw materials, and also leans free of interest, and giving of monetary grants. The balance of 25 per cent. was to be spent in immediate relief, i.e. opening and supporting food kitchens, medical institutions, children homes, playgrounds, etc., where food is supplied.

On Mr. Koldofsky’s arrival in Russia, he was informed by the authorities that the need for reconstructive and industrial relief was not now so imperative as the provision of immediate relief in the way of food and clothing for the children. This change is the result of the general shortage of foodstuffs now being experienced in the southern provinces of Russia.

The Executive Committee of the Federation, after considering the report submitted by Mr. Koldofsky, has resolved that the 25 per cent., i.e., £5,000, set aside under the agreement for immediate relief, be utilised solely for the benefit of the children, and allocated in the following proportions – £3,000 to be spent for food supplies, and £2,000 for boots and clothing, to be despatched from this country. The Federation is to have full control, through its representative in Russia, over the disbursement of these amounts, and the working of the children’s institutions.