A meeting was held June 2 at the Friends of Zion club rooms, 9 Rutgers place. Mr. J. de Haas, Mr. Jacob Massel, of Scotland, and the Rev. Silber addressed the meeting. This organization also held a mass meeting at Cooper Union June 7, Convention Day, in aid of the National Fund. The Hon. N. Taylor Phillips presided. The speakers were: Hon. John Crosby, Dr. Mintz and H. Spielberg. Morris Rosenfeld, the celebrated Yiddish poet, recited some of his poems. Music was provided by the Hebrew Orphan Asylum band. The committee are issuing the Hon. John Crosby's speech in pamphlet form.
SCRANTON, PA.—A new society was organized here recently under the name of Sons of Zion. The following officers were elected: R. Silverston, President; Abe Sapero, Vice-
president; I. Lewis, Recording Secretary; Morris Schachno, Financial Secretary, and J. Kaplan, Treasurer.
STAMFORD, CONN.—A warm reception was extended by the L. Mann Zion Society to delegate D. Cohen on his return from Pittsburg on Sunday, June 21. The synagogue was beautifully decorated for the occasion. President D. Cohen, while reading his report, was continually interrupted with prolonged cheers. Mr. H. Fellner then presented the society with a beautiful Zion flag. Mr. Cooper, who presided; Mr. Gordon and Mr. Condle also addressed the meeting, and resolutions were adopted to thank President David Cohen for his untiring efforts on behalf of the cause and to send a letter of thanks to the Pittsburg Zionists.
Hints on Propaganda
A S a means of propaganda, the public installation of officers of the societies by the members of the Executive Council or officers of the Federation should prove very effective. Judged by an experiment made at the B'nai Zion Kadimah on July 16, a well managed and dignified installation is a source of inspiration. It helps to inspire the installed officers, the members of the society and the visitors to the meeting with a greater loyalty to the Zionist cause. It moves to greater activity and engenders a wholesome enthusiasm.
These installations must, however, be free from the mock-solemnity and devoid of all the mummery that is the chief feature of the installations and initiations in secret societies. They must be without cant, or sham. The-atricalism will serve only to transform what should be an impressive occasion into a farce.
Zionist installations should be conductedupon a lofty plane, with dignity and with sincerity. There need be no set formula, noritual, no administering of oaths. Whatis needed at our installations, is a warmhearty, intelligent Zionist plea, first to theassemblage, by the installation officer, andthen an address to those who are about toassume office in the society, making clear to
them what Zionism and the Federation demand of them. In concluding his address,the installation officer might call upon thosewhom he is inducting into office to pledgethemselves anew to the cause. This will afford the new officers of the society an opportunity to speak for the movement. The floormight also be granted to competent membersof the society.
As indicated above, this idea has been experimented with. The affair was arranged at a moment's notice, and yet it was the occasion of a most inspiring night. With our present Executive Council it is very possible to make such installations a splendid feature of Federation work.
Such installations, besides having value as a means of propaganda, will bring the Council and the individual societies into closer relationship; they will inspire confidence, create a friendship and a harmony that will inspire the societies and the Council with greater Zionist zeal.
It is earnestly recommended that the Council and the societies take up this idea. It is very likely that at the next Convention an amendment to the Constitution will be introduced making public installations part of the organic law of the Federation.