News Brief

Senator Reed, continuing his cross-examination of Aaron Sapiro yesterday, took up an organization speech Mr. Sapiro had made in Alabama in 1920 and read it to the jury, changing no word, but effecting a complete parody by his sarcastic rendering, waving his hand as if he held a mock flag when he came to an ardent passage, until Mr. Sapiro’s counsel protested in indignation.

Sapiro identified an account of one of his speeches made in 1921 printed in the Texas Farm Bureau paper. Reed read the article which quoted Sapiro as saying he was not interested primarily in money, but wished to take the children of Texas out of the cotton fields and put them in schools and to take the women from the fields and put them in their homes.

Sapiro, said the article, told of the success of cooperative organizations in California, where they had been in existence for twenty-six years. He told of the great change at Fresno among the raisin growers, prosperity following organization of the cooperatives.

Sapiro followed Reed closely in the reading and although he had no copy before him, stopped the Senator two or three times to correct him from memory. The Senator left a “not” out in one sentence, which changed the meaning. Corrected by the witness, himself an attorney, Reed said the word was almost obliterated and he had not seen it.

In reference to the California cooperatives and their success, the Senator read “we” found, “we” did, and so forth. He was halted again by Sapiro, who insisted “they” had been used instead of “we”.

Fees for work performed in Texas from 1921 until 1926 totalled approximately $37,380, Sapiro testified. Approximately $20,000 was paid Sapiro for obtaining loans at Washington for cooperative farmers’ organizations, he testified.

The successful conclusion of the United Palestine Appeal in Atlanta, Ga., was celebrated at a banquet held Wednesday night. Dr. Leo Frachtenberg was the principal speaker.

Over $25,000 was announced as having been raised during the drive. The sum represents an increase of 150 per cent over the largest sum raised in a previous effort. I. J. Paradies was chairman of the campaign.

Plans for the new synagogue which will be erected by the congregation of Temple Beth-El of Ithaca, N. Y., were approved.

William A. Boyd, treasurer of the campaign fund, announced that a total of $23,000 had already been raised.

The construction of the new temple is expected to be started within a few weeks.

Petersburg, Va., launched its campaign for the United Palestine Appeal at a meeting on Tuesday night. A. Tannenbaum is chairman of the campaign for $1,000, Petersburg’s quota. Danville, Va. launched its drive for $2,000 last week.

The West Philadelphia Jewish Community Center will dedicate the building, which is now nearing completion, on June 12, 1927. Maurice E. Levick is chairman of the Dedication Committee.

The Community Center will be one of the most beautiful in Philadelphia. The approximate cost of the building is $500,000. There will be a synagogue with a seating capacity of 1,500; a Beth-ha-Midrash for daily use; fourteen class rooms will be available for about 1,000 enildren; a library containing several thousand volumes will serve the needs of the Community Center as well as the West Philadelphia Jewish community. The auditorium has a seating capacity of 600. There is a gymnasium and swimming pool.

Rabbi S. Joshua Kohn is rabbi of the West Philadelphia Jewish Community Center. Aaron ##man is President of the Congregation.