Schwartzbard Confronted with Ukrainian Witnesses

(Jewish Telegraphic Agency)

Sholom Schwartz-bard was confronted with three witnesses of the accusation in the court of Magistrate Peyre yesterday. M. Torres, Schwartzbard’s counsel, was present.

The witnesses were Schapoval, Dubkowski and Wolodin. Schapoval asserted that one day before Petlura was killed, Schwartzbard went with Wolodin, to the restaurant where Petlura and his family dined. He claims that Schwartzbard’s visit to the restaurant was for the observations in preparation of his plan.

Schapoval also claimed that Wolodin wrote to Petlura asking him for an appointment, probably because he was an accomplice of Schwartzbard. Schapoval stated that Wolodin was formerly a captain of a regiment in the Soviet army. Wolodin denied the charges.

Dubkowski, who is a Jew, affirmed Schapoval’s testimony. Schwartzbard denied the allegations.

In a press interview M. Torres stated today that the Petlura counsel is apparently calling new witnesses for the purpose of prolonging the examination and delaying the trial. The trial, however, will begin not later than June, otherwise he will proceed against these tactics, he declared.

JEWISH COMMUNAL ACTIVITIES

Budgetary grants for 1927 totaling $4,384,525 were announced by the Federation for the Support of Jewish Philanthropic Societies at a meeting of the business men’s council at the Hotel Pennsylvania Tuesday. Ninety-one constituent agencies will participate in the grants.

The budget received the final approval by Sol M. Stroock, president of the federation, and the trustees on Monday night. Prepared by the distribution committee, whose chairman is Dr. Harry G. Friedman, the budget places the gross requirements of the ninety-one institutions for the current year at $8,550,517. The federation allowance represents more than 50 per cent of this gross, the balance coming from state grants, legacies, trust funds and other sources.

The largest budgetary award, $667,309, went to the Jewish Social Service Association, formerly known as the United Hebrew Charities.

BREVITIES

Plans for establishing a $5,000,000 national cancer centre, the largest in the world, at West End Avenue and 72nd Street, were announced by the New York Cancer Association through Sanders A. Wertheim, President.

The association has acquired the twenty-seven-story hospital-hotel building, known as Hudson Towers, from Henry Lanzner and Isaac Baer at actual cost of construction, $3,500,000, Mr. Wertheim said. From the 100 or more men interested in its work, the association expects to raise $2,000,000. Later there will be a public campaign for additional funds needed.

The building is now practically completed, making it possible for the Cancer Centre to begin operation within a short time. It will include a hospital of 400 beds, a clinic capable of caring for 500 patients daily, research laboratories and a department devoted to public education in cancer prevention and treatment.