Marshall, Warburg Rosenberg and Brown Review Work Done by J. D. C.

Much interest was displayed in the report of Felix M. Warburg, chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee, reviewing the work of the J. D. C. from 1924 to 1927. The Joint Distribution Committee has become Bar Mitzvah, Mr. Warburg declared, and summed up the activities for the past thirteen years.

The chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee pointed to a number of books placed on the table before him, containing full financial records for the past thirteen years of the Committee’s existence and invited the delegates to scrutinize the accounts and to ask any number of questions concerning the various aspects of the work. They may do so in order to receive the proper replies to be prepared to answer any inquiries or criticism which they may encounter, Mr. Warburg stated.

FELIX WARBURG GIVES IMPRESSIONS

In giving an account of his recent visit to the Jewish colonies in Russia, the chairman of the Joint Distribution Committee spoke in affectionate terms of the new life of the Jewish colonists. In describing his impressions of his inspection tour, Mr. Warburg recalled many instructive incidents which he had observed and many of the notable successes made by the settlers.

“Good friends had warned against taking the trip to Russia. They asserted that it was dangerous, that we were going to a country where everything we wanted to see would be supervised and we would get predigested food in regard to the things we wanted to see. Nothing of the kind happened. In no country were we as free from formalities and granted so much absolute freedom as in Russia,” Mr. Warburg said.

The conference was called to order by the temporary chairman, James N. Rosenberg, who declared that although the Joint Distribution Committee was originally conceived as a temporary body and although much work had been done to alleviate the sufferings of European Jewry, the conditions in Europe are still in such a shape that the rescue work must be continued.

Julius Rosenwald welcomed the delegates in behalf of the Chicago Reception Committee and was given long cheers by the delegates for the hospitality accorded the leaders of the United Jewish Campaign by the Chicago Committee which made the Standard Club the headquarters of the conference.

Judge Horace Stern of Philadelphia who was unanimously chosen chairman of the conference, in his opening address scored those of the pledgers who have not redeemed their pledges.

JUDGE STERN SCORES SLACKERS

“I have greater regard for those men who declined to make contributions toward the fund than for those who easily agreed to make pledges but failed to redeem them. Those who refused demonstrate only that they have no heart; however, those who pledged and disregarded their pledges proved that they have neither heart nor honor,” he declared.

A report submitted by Paul Baerwald, treasurer of the Joint Distribution Committee, showed that of the amount pledged since the beginning of the United Jewish Campaign $8,760,000 have been paid. During the year beginning October 1926 and ending October 1927 the Joint Distribution Committee received in cash the amount of $4,416,000. From January 1 to September 30, this year, the committee appropriated the amount of $3,763,000 for its work in Eastern Europe, Russia, Poland and Palestine.

In reply to a question from the floor Col. Herbert H. Lehman explained that the Joint Distribution Committee will need $2,200,000 to complete its work for 1927 and $5.000,000 for carrying out its program in 1928. At present the Committee is indebted to banks on notes endorsed by members of the Committee to the amount of $700,000.

Leaders of the campaign in the various communities were urged by the speakers to arrange for securing, as speadily as possible, either the payment of the pledges at once or to obtain loans under the signatures of the local leaders on account of anticipated payments.

Upon the presentation of this plea, Albert M. Lieberman of Philadelphia presented a check for $100,000 on account of the Philadelphia quota. A. L. Salzstein of Milwaukee presented a check for $10,000 and B. Ginsberg, state chairman for Michigan, a check for $5,000.

In response to a challenge by James N. Rosenberg, Jacob M. Loeb presented a check for $250,000 on behalf of the Chicago Committee.

In a report submitted to the conference on behalf of Dr. Bernard Kahn, European director of the Joint Distribution Committee, the relief work carried on in Europe was described in detail.

“We are marching toward our goal. We hope that in a few years, barring new crises and other unforseen events, we shall have gone so far along the lines that the Jews in the East, although not entirely cured of their ills will, nevertheless, everywhere be in a position to get along without substantial American assistance. For the next five or more years that seems impossible. Our brethren are still in urgent need of American help. That help, however, is now one that is altogether constructive,” Dr. Kahn declared in his report.

Twice the proceedings of the conference were interrupted to exhibit films taken in the Jewish colonies in Russia by E. M. Newman, American travel lecturer, and James H. Becker on his tour of the colonies with Felix M. Warburg. Both Mr. Newman and Mr. Becker interpreted the films to the conference.

Upon the presentation of Dr. Kahn’s report, Julius Rosenwald eulogized the work of the European director and moved that the conference send a message to Dr. Kahn who is now in Berlin.

No direct references were made during the conference to the charges recently made by Max D. Steuer against the Joint Distribution Committee. Several of the speakers, however, including Mr. Warburg and Col. Lehman, made indirect replies to these charges.

COL. LEHMAN DEFENDS J. D. C

Most emphatic in taking up this question was Col. Lehman. In reviewing the work of the Reconstruction Committee of the Joint Distribution Committee, Col. Lehman described the process of proceeding from purely relief work to reconstruction efforts by the Committee.

There was an impression in some quarters, he said, that the work of the Joint Distribution Committee was carried on and symbolized by a small body of men. This is not the case. No other organization in the United States has carried on its work on more democratic lines than has the Joint Distribution Committee, Col. Lehman declared. He praised the spirit of cooperation displayed by the three main branches of American Jewry, Orthodox, Reform and Labor during the past thirteen years of the Committee’s activities. They have never given preference to their group or party interests, but have worked with a unity of purpose for the general good and welfare that has no equal.

In speaking of the question of the currency depreciation raised by Mr. Steuer in his charges, Col. Lehman stated that the Committee had faced the situation with open eyes. He quoted from the records of the Executive Committee a resolution adopted on the recommendation of the Reconstruction Committee. In that resolution the Committee decided to continue its work, notwithstanding the difficulties which have arsen due to the feverish fluctuation of the European currencies at that time and notwithstanding the certainty of a considerable financial loss due to the changing rates of exchange.

The Committee, he stated, faced the alternative of either doing what was needed at that moment or doing nothing at all. “Of all the accomplishments of the Joint Distribution Committee, the spirit underlying this resolution is one which appeals to me most.” Col. Lehman declared. “I am certain that if we were again faced with a similar situation, our decision would be the same, irrespective of the carping criticism of any individual,” he added.

The question of Jewish colonnation work in Poland was also forcefully presented by James N. Rosenberg. Mr. Rosenberg indicated however, that initiative in this matter must come from the leaders in Poland, “Here is a matter fraught with deep significance and I hope my words may, perchance, fall like seeds on fruitful ground in Poland. I raise a question the answer to which lies not in the deliberation of the Chicago conference not studies in America, but which must come from Poland. It must come not merely from the Polish Jews but from the Government of Poland. Poland has lately ?ted a loan of some ## million dollars. This money is to be ## kargely for the economic rebuilding of the country.

ON COLONIZING POLISH JEWS

“A handful of Polish Jews have lately organized an agricultural society. Inspired by the success of the Russian work they yearn for the soil. Such yearning is to be heeded and should receive the fullest sympathy. To be specific, I call attention to a tract of four or five millions of acres of marsh and swampy hands in the Plaids district belonging in large part, as I am informed, to the Polish government. This land adjoins similar land in White Russia, drained, ditched and drained by Russian Jews. Such land cannot be used unless it is ditched and drained. Land in White Russia, similarly located {SPAN}##{/SPAN} $30 to $40 an {SPAN}##{/SPAN} to drain. With modern machinery adopted for ditching and draining the cost could be reduced considerably.

“This land as I am reliably informed ## and ## five to their ## will support a family. This would not be forming such as in the Ukraine and the Crim?, where large average per family is needed. One million of those ## ditched drained and equipped should support 40,000 families.

“Is it possible to hope that the Polish Government would make a great of this land? Is it possible to hope that the Polish Government would, like Russia unlike substantial ## to help in the development of these lands through the settlement of the Jews? Is it possible to hope that a program might be ## whereby American aid could be ###

“It is not unthinkable that the success of the Jewish agricultural work in Russia is known and realized by the Polish Government, and that Poland, which will gain immeasurably in economic strength by increasing her crops, might give favorable consideration to such a plan. Here, then, at least lies a hope, a potential direction for activity, a goal for which to strive.

“As to emigration from Poland, which has also been urged, that, I submit, is a mockery. Emigrate? To what country? Shall they go to the Saharah Desert? I know of no country where large scale Jewish immigration is at present possible. Let is be realists and face the facts. The doors are closed. Help to Jews must be in the lands where they reside.

ROSENBERG ON J. D .C ORGANIZATION

“There remains one other subject upon which I should like to touch. That relates to the organization of the Joint Distribution Committee. The J. D. C., as you all know, was a temporary wartime organization. You know why it has been obliged to continue. Thirteen years have passed since its efforts began. The men who, thirteen years ago, were brisk young fellows in the thirties, have today crossed the half century mark. Another thirteen years or so and we will begin to approach middle age.

“I am sure I voice the feelings of my colleagues when I say that, while none of us ask to be excused from carrying on the burdens which we have undertaken, while we are ready to go on for a reasonable time as we have done, giving the best that is in as, the moment begins to approach when we must hope that younger men will take over at least some of our borders and responsibilities. To me, at least it is clear that we, the Jews of America who have been Messed in the world’s riches as no group of Jews at any other time or in any other place have been blessed, would be derelict in our duties if we were not to continue for a number of years to sender aid to our afflicted between overseas.

“If that is the case we should at least begin to consider the best methods of organization and administration for future mark, the methods in which the men shall be chosen, who shall be on the Board of Trustees of the Agro-Joint, the future American trustees of the Foundation which has as well been established by Herbert Le##. It is the part of men of affairs to plan for the future, as well as to meet the needs of the day. Would it met them be vise to vest in a committee already appointed or one that could be specially selected by this conference, the authority and the duty to make a nature and through study and survey of the problems of administration in America, and the problems of future needs in Europe? Such a survey should be deliberate, painstaking and unhurried. Such a committee, if appointed, should not expect to report in less than a year. Whether or not such ideas make an appeal to this conference, I am wholly unable to say. I beg leave to submit them for what they are worth,” Mr. Rosenberg concluded.

The resolution which was adopted by the conference in response to Mr. Rosenberg’s urge read as follows:

“The suggestion having been made at this conference by one of the officers of the Joint Distribution Committee to the effect that a committee be appointed by this conference to consider and report on the problems and needs overseas for the suffering Jews and the problems of future American administration.

“Now, therefore, be it resolved that these problems be referred to the executive committee of the Joint Distribution Committee, with full power of action.”

A resolution was also adopted expressing gratitude and appreciation to David A. Brown, national chairman of the United Jewish Campaign, and to the officers of the organization for the stupendous work they have done, Resolutions were also adopted expressing the grief of the conference at the death of Jules Mastbaum, of Philadelphia; Montague Triest, of Charleston, South Carolina; Doctor Charles D. Spirak; A. J. Sunstein, of Pittsburgh; and Julius Levy, of Baltimore. A resolution of thanks was also voted to the officers and members of the Standard Club of Chicago for extending their hospitality to the conference and delegates. A resolution expressing profound appreciation to Dr. Rosen and Dr. Bernard Kahn, was also voted.

The Sunday evening session was presided over by David A. Brown, who urged the state chairman, treasurers and leaders of the local committees to begin a new campaign for securing cash payments of the pledges already made. He warned the local leaders not to limit themselves to the sending out of bills and reminders, but advised them to organize strong committees to secure the cash, to carry on the work as outlined by the Joint Distribution Committee.