Says Middle West Zionists Alive to Responsibilities, Are Spreading Zionism

Louis Lipsky, president of the Zionist Organization of America, returned Thursday from a two-weeks trip to the Middle West. Commenting upon the impressions made upon him during his trip, Mr. Lipsky:

“The Zionists in the cities I visited are thoroughly alive to their responsibilities. The meetings held in almost every city were more enthusiastic and larger and more fruitful in results than meetings held in a similar period the previous year. In Columbus, for example, one of the largest Jewish meetings ever held in that city was conducted at the Southern Hotel, and there were present representatives of all shades of Jewish activities in the community.

“Although economic conditions are not good, especially in Detroit and Cleveland, the Zionists feel confident that the influence of the Organization and its membership will grow during the next few months. It is felt that our general position can be aided considerably not only through the collection of money, but through spreading of a knowledge of what Zionism means in the life of American Jewry.

“The dismantling of the various offices of the United Palestine Appeal has created more local initiative than existed before. The Zionists are thinking of educational programs, of propaganda work for Palestine products, of study of Palestine questions, all of which they regard as being essential for the preparations that are to be made for the Joint Drive, which is drawing nearer and nearer every week. With an improvement of economic conditions, which is looked forward to, there is no doubt that before the end of the season the Zionist Organization will be in a much stronger position than it was during the past year.”