COMMUNICATIONS
ENGLISH PUBLICATIONS.
Reading the report of the English Publication Committee at the Twelfth Annual Convention, Federation of American Zionists, reminded me of a childhood recollection. It was when I had my first object lesson in arithmetic. I could easily understand the first nine figures, but could not so easily comprehend the meaning of the tenth one, which the teacher called zero, or cipher. Whenever, he said, it is placed to the right side of another figure, then it means a whole lot and he went on explaining: "You see here a zero—a naught. Now, put the one to its left and you get ten; now annex another naught to the right of the last one and you get a hundred," and he went one showing me how easily one after another form a million, billion, etc., even when he has zeros only.
It is true that we have no funds for publications, but did that committee make any effort to accomplish something without it?
I once had occasion to suggest here that it should be the united effort of the English speaking Zionists of all the five continents and islands, if necessary, to have an English edition of Theodor Herzl's works. I mentioned the fact that the Russian Zionists, in spite of their poverty and of the comparative high price that books cost there in general, have succeeded in publishing, two years ago, two improved editions of our late leader's works and we American Zionists have not as yet even made any attempt to begin this work. I see no reason whatever, why we could not succeed in this undertaking as well as others. Besides, Herzl's works would be an excellent medium of propaganda and would be more beneficial than a dozen pamphlets; it is also our moral duty to do it and it would be our tribute to the everlasting memory of our immortal leader.
I hear a reproach, if not two at once: “well, if that is so important, why not leave it to the Jewish Publication Society? That organization is anxious to develop Jewish literature and I think that it is as important as the Year Book or their Hymn Books.”
Yes, you are right; we would be glad to do it and we fully acknowledge our duty; we truly are very much behind the time, but you see, we haven't the money.
I would reply that that organization publishes anything but not such small things as Zionistic works.
To the second I would suggest as follows: The chairman of the committee in question, who is no doubt sincere and very active in Zionistic publicity work, should negotiate with some publishing company and see under what conditions the company would undertake the work. It is true that we have no money to offer, but we could support a private enterprise. The Fedeation could guarantee the sale of a certain number of volumes. It is easy, I believe, to get 2,000 or 3,000 subscribers for Herzl's works and guaranteeing the publishers that number, there is not the least doubt in my mind, that they would willingly undertake the work.
Of course the price must be a popular one—$1.00, or $1.25 with postage, so that every Zionist could procure a volume of the works and it must also be ably translated and edited.
When an understanding with the publishers is reached, a descriptive circular could be drawn and sent out to the various Zionists and sympathizers, urging them to subscribe to the edition and from the returns it could be easily estimated whether there is room for such a volume among the American Jewry. And should the returns be not very encouraging, I see no reason why we could not co-operate with our fellow-Zionists in England. At any rate, I am fully convinced that this proposition is undoubtedly practicable when properly undertaken.