cations for membership, but we accept such subject only to the decision of the shareholders to increase the capitalization of our organization.
We have at present about $5,000, in cash. The reason for such a small cash capital is that a number of the members have joined us recently; and they have not yet paid up the amount of installments equal to that of the other members who joined us earlier. Our income every three months will hereafter be about $1,200.00; besides which, members who joined us recently have agreed to make their payments equal to that of the others.
We have already sent a delegate to Palestine, to co-operate with the Palestine Amt. in the matter of buying land for us. Our delegate is Mr. J. Paleskin who lived in Palestine several years previous to his coming to America. He came to the United States with the express purpose of getting acquainted with California methods of agriculture and horticulture, and is to make his permanent home in Palestine.
We found that we had underestimated the number of members that would be desirous of joining us. Five members from other cities, four from San Francisco and one from Bakersfield, joined us. We then
changed the name of our organization to "The California Palestine Land and Development Company" in other words we substituted the word "California" for "Los Angeles" in order to impart to our organization a state wide importance.
Personnel
One of the main features of our Achooza is that all of its members are young people, and most of them will go to Palestine as soon as their land holdings there reach satisfactory development.
The thirty-three shares are sold to thirty one members, two of whom hold two shares each, and twenty-nine one share each.
They represent all classes of Jewry, and all shades of opinion, religious or political, but they meet solidly on one platform-the rejuvenation and regeneration of Israel on his historic soil.
The account of our organization would not be complete if mention were not made of our president Dr. Leo. Blass. He is the recognized leader of our Achooza exemplifying to us a deep devotion to the cause with executive ability and great perseverance. His work and leadership insures our ultimate success.
The Zion Commonwealth
On September 10th, 1014, the State of New York granted a charter of incorporation to the Zion Commonwealth, Inc., organized for the purpose of purchasing and developing land in Palestine with a view of establishing colonies of Jews. The company was organized as a business corporation, aiming to hold its officials and directors strictly accountable on the business basis of profit and loss: and yet. it incor- porates a great social ideal as the foundation of all its future activities. We hope to build up a successful company, careful in its observance of business rules.
We propose to use it as a means to stimulate the ideal of social justice for the settlers whom it will protect and safeguard. Believing that business principles may be
utilized for great social ends, we have organized the Zion Commonwealth.
The Achooza Movement
In order to comprehend our project, it is necessary to examine several efforts for Jewish colonization in Palestine in the past. American Zionists have learned much about the Achooza movement, which aims to organize groups of prospective Jewish settlers, who save their contributions over a period of ten years, for the purpose of buying and developing land in Palestine with the object of establishing themselves as colonists. The Achoozas are only natural outgrowths of the M'Noocha V'Nachla and similar societies of Russia, organized under the influence of the Chovevi