The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-05-06

~ oNsiDEfsiN1 tNc latt Inour OK
the adjournment OF the ban
quot and reception rendered,
~ TO the visiting members OF
the National Conference of
Jewish Charities. and the visitors who
accompanied them, by the local com
munity In the Jefferson Hotel on Mon
day night, the opening of yesterdays
session In the Temple Beth Allabal
was unusually prompt and well at
tended. Though the rain was falling
fast some time before the scheduled
hour for the beginning Of the after
noon meeting, the attendance there
also was. but little smaller than in
the morning.
The contrast of the feasting and
merriment of the night before with
the day Of work. touching one of the
largest problems that confronts the
members Of the Jewish race to-day,
j In no wise dampened the ardor of the
delegates. The conference got down
10 the serious work OF the session
soon as the presidents gnvel called
II To order. aud the discussion was
marked by earnestness and enthusi-
esm throughout From the view
point Of the several speakers it seem
ed but natural to forecast that the
things accomplished by this conven-
ton toward the real aims Of the or
ganlZa1lnn VIII be greater than those
Of any OF ITS predecessors.
Membefs reading the leading papers
IND making the principal speeches did
not hesitate to slicw wherein charity.
as pricticed by the organization TO-
day. Is inadequate, while they in turn
received the impartial criticisms OF:
those discussing the various topics.
Jews in Russin.
AS the general topic OF the morning
session DIR. David Blaustein formerly
superintendent of the Educational Az
lance of New York City read an alb
stract of the pamphlet, Jewish Chart
table Activities in Russia" which had
previously been distributed among the
members of the conference. The paper
was prepared by DR.. David Blaustein,
Professor ii. l., SabseSich Neasrs f..
w. Levin Epstein and Bernard Rich
ards. The pamphlet deals eXhaustively
with the problem of the Jewish people
II, Russia, their unfortunate situation.
and measures which The National Asso-
citation OF Jewish Charities has adopted
and will in future take for its alle-
Walton. In substance IL is as follows
Early In the eighteenth century the
Jewish community of Russia was or
ganized into a kahal. They were
registered and supplied with passports,
i
place without the government losing
track of their whereabouts or their
Identity. In the formation of the 'Ka-
hall the Russian government was ac-
tuated by the desire both to make sure
of its tribute and to be protected
against any possible burden of help
ing either the poor or distressed of the
race. 1t has never recognized the Jew
as an individual and has only treated
~, ,v1Dy ",
addition to this is the 'Korobka,' or
meat tax. which is the main burden
which falls OIL the great mass of the
Jews who of course, refuse to use
anything but the kosher meat This
tax is exceedingly oppressive and un-
Just. and has weighed very heavily
especially on large numbers OF the
poor.
This tax was designed to cover a
number of deficiencies of the govern
ment, among them the support of The
communal Institutions Of the Jewish
people, but to the latter purpose it has
rarely been put The amount of money
above the grant, according to law
should2g to the Minister of the Int
rior for the especial use of the Jewish
communities, but instead it has beer
used for alien purposes, such as thu
building of roads and even for the
erection of Greek orthodox churches
as well as to increase the police forct
SO that it might hound down the lew!
who have not the right to live outside
of the Jewish settlement, and eNpe
them.
Need of EducntiOn.
"One of the greatest needs of tn,
Jewish people in Russia is that Of ed
ucation, not only among the poore
people, but the middle class, since thu
doors of,the governmental schools arr
practically closed to them, The mos
Important educational agency In tn,
empire Is the Society for the Promotion
Of Education Among the Jews, whicl
has been in existence since 500, art
has accomplished much
"The income of this society is derived
from its membership dues. Next to thi
Is the promotion of Industrial and ag
ricultural education among the Jew
q ish youth in Russia. Tn the Jewish col
onzation of Russia the Jewish Colo
nization Association has been Yer,
potent factor, especially among tn
farmers In Southern Russia. who hav
been of great assistance in the cas-
of crop failures and for the ADVANCING
of money for new farming machinery
seeds, etc. Since 1909 it has been par
2 ticularly active. Besides this, grea
aid has been derived from the variou
agencies of self-help and mutual aid or
ganfHed among members of the race.
5"Tho problems OF relief are taken III
by the members or the$various charlta
BILE organizations which have sprung
Into existence In, the stricken countr,
and which are working earnestlyeap!
Etrenuously for the uplifting or tn
race. Many of the workers, men an,
" women, by the eXtensiveness OF thei
labors. are personally known alike I