to return to an active participation in the Z. O. A., a participation they relinquished in 1921 when the Brandeis administration was ousted at the Cleveland convention of that year.
The statement emphasizes that no propaganda will be put forward by the Brandeis group to secure the adoption of its proposals at the convention.
The statement, which is the first Zionist document on which Justice Brandeis’ signature appears since 1921 reads as follows:
May 22, 1930
Dr. Nathan Ratnoff, Chairman
Mr. David Freiberger
Dr. Israel Goldstein
Dr. James Heller
Dear Sirs:
We have made a careful study of the papers setting forth the present condition of the Z. O. A. transmitted by Mr. Freiberger for the Committee under date of April 22nd; have considered the present condition in the light of our knowledge of the past and the needs of the movement; and have reached definite conclusions. To preclude the possibility of any misunderstanding, we deem it appropriate, to state these conclusions in writing at our conference.
First—Your Committee has courteously suggested that our group resume in some way, and to some extent at least, the active participation in the work of the Z. O. A. which terminated in 1921, through the action of the Cleveland Convention.
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PARAMOUNT
The experience of the last ten years has confirmed the views, expressed on July 14, 1920 in the Zeeland Memorandum, that the efforts of the Zionists should be directed primarily to the economic development of Palestine. In our judgment the best guarantee which we can create for the realization of our national aspirations in Palestine is widespread cooperation in a carefully devised plan of economic development, which will make practical immediate increased settlement by Jews in Palestine.
We believe that the Z. O. A. can, through such activities, be an important instrument in strengthening the spiritual and intellectual ideals of in the movement in America, as well as in the practical aspects of national economic effort. We believe the Jewish Agency will welcome the cooperation of a Z. O. A. not only alive to the many problems that press upon it, but earnestly devoted to their solution. To this end we deem it essential that there be complete reorganization of the Z. O. A. in methods of control, in methods of management, in personnel and in finances.
CONDITIONS MUST BE CHANGED
Second—We are clear that none of the men whom we should deem competent and worthy to be entrusted with the serious responsibility of management would be willing to undertake the task under the existing conditions of the organization; and that none should be approached by us until these conditions shall have been changed fundamentally. When these men are to be approached, the conditions should be such that we may be able to assure them that, if they will assume the duties, the conditions within the organization will be such as, in our opinion, will make a successful administration of the Z. O. A. affairs possible.
CONDITIONS NECESSARY FOR SUCCESS
Among conditions indispensable to success are: (1) Complete control by the new management after December 31, 1930 for a period long enough to affect a thorough re-organization of the Z. O. A. and to energize it, among other things, by establishing a membership at least as large as that of 1920, besides the Hadassah members. (2) A board of management consisting of members in complete accord as to the ends to be pursued and generally in accord as to the means to be adopted. (3) The assurance of effective cooperation by the body of Zionists. (4) Freedom from financial pressure during the period reasonably required for the reorganization and rehabilitation of the Z. O. A. and (5) Before assuming control, that full knowledge of the then existing conditions which can have been obtained only through free access to the books and files of the organization and familiarity with the problems arising from day to day.
Unless these conditions are complied with, we think we can best serve the cause by continuing the efforts which we are now making in various ways for Palestine development. If all of the conditions are satisfied, we shall be willing to make the attempt to find the men needed for worthy and adequate management and to secure their consent to serve.
Third—Certain action can be taken at the forthcoming Z. O. A. Convention and if it is the wish of the delegates that the attempt as above stated be made by us, such action is indispensable. What we have in mind is this:
INTERIM REGIME
a. That the convention in June elect an Administration of Zionists (consisting of not more than 9 members) which shall be vested during the term for which it is created (and the extension hereafter provided for) with all the powers of control and management of the Z. O. A.—thus superseding, during the life of the Administration, including the extended term, all other organs of government and management and all existing offices and offices, including committees.
b. The term of the Administration shall be six months. that is until January 1, 1931, with power in the Administration to extend this term for a further period of not exceeding two years, provided it shall, before December 31, 1930 have concluded, in its discretion, to elect as members of the Administration the persons to be nominated by us, and approved by not less than two-thirds of the members of the Administration chosen by the Convention; and provided further that the financial conditions hereinafter set forth shall then have been complied with.
PRESENT EXECUTIVE BARRED
c. The members of the Administration to serve for the original period ending not later than December 31, 1930 shall be elected by the Convention; shall consists of persons none of whom is, or recently has been, an Executive officer of the Z. O. A. or closely affiliated with the present administration; and none of whom is in any way connected with our group. In other words, the members of the Administration to be elected at the Convention are to be such as may be described as neutrals—persons in whose judgment the Zionist membership will have complete confidence and with whom our group may freely negotiate in the effort to secure for the organization a worthy and adequate management.
d. We are to be free to nominate to the Administration as members for the extended period such of the persons elected to that office by the Convention as we may deem advisable—and every Administrator shall be free, for himself or any other person elected to the Administration at the Convention, on our nomination, to vote as Administrators, for the extended period for such persons.
SERVE WITHOUT COMPENSATION
e. No member of the Administration nominated by us shall receive a salary or other compensation from the Z.O.A.
f. The Administration to serve until December 31, 1930, as well as that to serve for the two year period there-after, would have power to organize itself, to make its own rules and regulations for the conduct of its business, to appoint Committees, to call conferences and take such other measures as may be deemed by them desirable for the purpose of ascertaining the opinion and securing the support of the general body of Zionists in the United States.
POWER TO END TERM
Fourth—The Administration shall have power to end either the original or the extended term at any time by surrender of its powers to the membership, at a convention called for the purpose.
If the term of the Administration is extended beyond December 31, 1930, as above provided, it shall be its duty to prepare and submit for the consideration of the Z.O.A. members at a Convention held at least — months before the expiration or earlier termination of the extended term, a draft of a new constitution and by-laws, embodying its views as to the most desirable plan for the control and management. If the new constitution, or some amendment thereof, is not adopted by the Convention, the elec-
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