The Federation Convention
SUNDAY AFTERNOON SESSION
The convention of the Federation of American Zionists was opened on Sunday afternoon, July 2d, at 3 P. M., in the Broad Street Theatre. The theatre was filled with delegates and visitors.
The session was opened by Dr. S. Solis-Cohen, honorary president of the Philadelphia Convention Committee. Dr. Cohen was expected to deliver the greetings of the Zionists of Philadelphia. He reviewed the Zionist situation and made a strong plea for peace with the forces opposing the congress.
Dr. Harry Friedenwald, president of the Federation, then took the chair. Opening the proceedings of the Convention, he first called upon Mr. Louis Edward Levy, to extend the greetings of the Philadelphia Jewish Community. Mr. Levy wished the convention success and expressed the hope that peace and harmony would reign. Dr. Friedenwald then delivered the following message:
ADDRESS OF DR. HARRY FRIEDENWALD.
The honor devolves upon me as President of the Federation of American Zionists to open this, the 19th annual Con vention. It is eleven years since the Federation last convened in this hospitable city. We look with amazement upon the progress that has been made, at the splendid growth of our organization. It is especially during the past two years that the greatest development has occurred. When the war began, the Federation was weak, but the responsibility which was suddenly thrown upon the shoulders of American Zionists, instead of crushing the weak organization, brought about tremendous effort resulting in an increased strength. The Provisional Committee for General Zionist Affairs was formed under the leadership of that able, tireless, wise and devoted man, whose services we cannot over state and whose recent elevation to the Supreme Court of the United States fills us with just pride. At the call of this Committee, members, friends and sympathizers came to the rescue of the international organization whose existence was threatened by the war, and to the support of our institutions and our settlements in Palestine. As a result of this activity the Federation of American Zionists has grown in strength, in members. Men and women of influence and power joined the organization and gave it the aid of their enthusiasm and ability. Organizations with large membership, which had previously shown no interest in our movement, joined it. New societies sprang up in all parts of the country and gave the support which an organization like ours resting upon the strong foundation of popular sentiment and popular will, demands. Corresponding with this growth, there has been a constantly increasing supply of the financial means which were so greatly needed. For the demands made upon the organization grew still more rapidly. To those of us who remember the time, not long since, when the annual income of the Federation was limited to a few thousand dollars and when an increase of a thousand more was looked upon as impossible, it is a source of satisfaction to witness the enormous accomplishment during the past two years. In our wildest dreams we would not have dared to deal with such figures. These sums have been gotten together from every state, city and town in this country; they have enabled the Federation to carry on its work and have furnished the Provisional Committee with the means to keep alive the Zionist Organization and to support all our institutions and activities in Palestine in so far as it was at all possible during the war.