onstrations because they were unnecessary. Zionism is of an international character. But America is bound to lead in Zionism. That all depends upon you. I do not want to appeal to you for Korbonos. How pitiful would be the condition of the Jewish people if we did not have the hope of Zionism. I do not envy the wealthy. I am richer than they, for I have Zionism. If we are honest, we must return to Zionism something of what it has given us. We must continue to work faithfully as we have in the last few years and we will take the place we deserve in history. If we had not our own roots and had to depend upon others, the tree would have fallen on account of lack of roots. I wish that you may grow as you have grown in the last few years. You h.ve made the Golus sweeter for me in the days that I have spent with you. I hope all our brethren will be united in the cause. We should live together and under our flag.
Mr. Brodie: VI. Resolved, that the Executive Committee of the Federation consider the advisability of establishing a fund for the erection in New York City of a building which shall serve as headquarters for all Zionist activities in New York City and to report the result of its findings to the 20th Annual Convention.
On motion, it was decided to refer the above to the Executive Committee.
Mr. Brodie: VII. Where as the “Jewish World,” a daily of Philadelphia, is in thorough sympathy and accord with the Zionist Movement; whereas the “Jewish World” of Philadelphia has from its very inception until the present time consistently and persistently supported the Zionist Movement to the utmost of its powers; and whereas the said “Jewish World” of Philadelphia has rendered invaluable service to this Convention by the excellent manner in which it reported its proceedings, therefore, be it Resolved, that the thanks of this Convention be extended to the said “Jewish World” of Philadelphia, its editors and publishers.
Resolution unanimously adopted.
Mr. Brodie: VIII. Resolved, that hereafter the Federation shall publish in the Zionist press one month prior to the Annual Convention, such resolutions originating with the Executive Committee of the F. A. Z. as may be ready for publication.
Resolution adopted.
Mr. Brodie: IX. Resolved, that it is the sense of the 19th Annual Convention of the F. A. Z. that the Executive Committee of the F. A. Z. hereafter forward to all constituent societies of the F. A. Z. the minutes of all the meetings of the Executive Committee.
The Chairman: The F. A. Z. has been sending out every month to the secretaries and presidents bulletins with instructions to the secretaries to read the same at the meeting. In nine cases out of ten the societies never heard of that bulletin and they doubt whether there is such a bulletin in existence. When you adopt resolutions with regard to what the executive office is to do, when you get these bulletins see that you have them read.
Dr. Pool, of New York: This resolution is entirely illegal since the minutes are confidential.
The Chairman: The minutes of the Executive Committee are not confidential.
Dr. Pool: I quote from a parliamentary authority that the minutes of an executive committee may not be read before another organization.
The Chairman: If this body elects an executive committee to do certain work, it is entitled to know what the executive committee is doing and the minutes record the work of that committee.
Mr. Kesselman, of New York: I believe that those who are responsible for the forming of this resolution will agree with me that it was decided to ask not for the minutes of the meeting but for an abstract of the minutes.
Mr. Rothenberg, of New York: This resolution was suggested at a small conference of delerates held prior to this
Convention and I want to give you reasons for the adoption of this resolution. It has been said that if the minutes were received everytime by the delegates they would be in a position at the following Convention to know which members had been attending regularly and which members to re-elect.
Dr. Pool, of New York: I move that the resolution read abstract of the minutes."
Mr. B. A. Rosenblatt, of New York: I believe a correction ought to be made in regard to the statement of Mr. Rothenberg. As a matter of fact, the Nominations Committee yesterday consulted with Mr. Rothenberg and they made it a point to keep off those who were not present at the meetings.
Resolution adopted.
Mr. Leavitt, of Boston: In behalf of the Zionist Association of Boston, which I am told has the largest representation, namely 25 delegates, representing five hundred paid members, I am authorized to make this offer to the delegates here: That the Zion Association at the next convention will present to the organization making the largest gain in membership two silk flags, one American and one Zionist, such flags to be kept for one year with a silver plate naming the winner, such plates to be transferred the following year to the organization then making the largest gain in membership. We have had no stimulus in Boston, but we have succeeded in increasing our membership which is now almost one thousand. In September, we have arranged a day when we will have no less than 1,000 members. We want the different organizations here to see whether at the next convention they cannot have several delegates representing one thousand members. ’
The Chairman: With regard to Mr. Leavitt's proposal, I hope that the Zionists will make an extra effort to meet the conditions named. I hope that the delegates here will take up the challenge and will see to it that there be a sprightly competition among them.
The Chairman: I ask the attention of the Convention for Mr. Harry Kaplan. Mr. Kaplan was associated with Capt. Decker of the United States Ship Tennessee, during the first months of 1915, in the handling of refugees from Palestine to Alexandria, and in the transmission of relief money from Alexandria to Palestine.e He went to Palestine from the United States, his home being in the city of Cleveland, in 1913, and established an iron foundry. His statement deals with industrial exveriences as exemplified bv his company.
Harry Kaplan on Palestine Industrial Possibilities.
Mr. Kaplan: The purpose of this report is to imipress upon the delegates to this Convention, the necessity and the value to our work if more American Zionists would take a greater interest in the industrial activities in Palestine. I shall give to the Convention my personal experience in this connection as an example of what can be done.
When I arrived in Jaffa in December, 1913, many propositions were put before me. I was particularly interested in the taking over of the old Stein’s foundry and machine shop. In the investigation of this matter I was surprised to find that the leading Zionists and workers in Tel Aviv were opposed to my making use of this foundry. The advice was given in good faith as all who had attempted to work the foundry previously had made a failure of it, and they feared that I too would make a failure and the industries of the country would thereby suffer. In spite of this advice, however, I decided to work the foundry and ignoring all suggestions, went ahead.
The plant was in the worse shape imaginable: dirty, dark and unfit for work. It owed its employees 5,000 Frcs., and had no credit. The first thing done was to pay off the men.
A company was organized, under the name of the American Palestine Iron Works, with a capital stock of 70,000 Frcs., and a new plant was built and work started immediately. Before the work was fairly started the war broke out; in fact the plant was not quite complete when the war came on. It appeared for the moment that everything was lost, but we did not give up hope and kept right on. Our force,