Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1920-04-11

The story of how group of prac-
teal Americans from ST. Louis turned
one of the most barren spots of Pales-
tine into rich farming community is
brought back to this country by
Harry Goldman. bushes man from
that city. who has come to this coun-
try on short visit prior to returning
TO Palestine. The story demonstrates
that. although neglected for 1000
years, during which the Jews have
been in exile. Palestine can be com
pletcly rehabilitatcd in order to pro-
vide home for the oppressed Jews
of eastern Europe who are now de-
sirouS of cmigrating to the Holy Land.
it was stated by Emile Berliner.
chairman of the Palestine restoration
fund cami~.Sn. who yesterday re
ceived the romantic story.
The colony in which the experiment:
took place is known as "Poriah," and
was founded by group who com
bined Yankee Observation-Disclosures with
Zionist idealism. Mr.. Goldman claims
that if the plan they are following
with their agricultAral colony ,tre
adopted by the whole of Palestine
thousands of families could be sup
ported on farming lands and in de-
veloping industries closely associa ted
with their agricultural products.
Ten years ago my brother. Simon
Goldman. went to Palestine and pur-
chased 1000 acres on the hills over
looking Gaiilee." Mr.. Goldman said.
This land had never been touched by
the hand of man 1t was very rocky
and there was a lack of water. De-
spite these difficulties the work of
clearing the land and planting the
olive and almond trees was begun.
The rocks were cleared away by hand,
since there were no modern machines
obtainable. Water was carried five
miles. For ten years this struggle
was kept up. entirely by Jewish labor
To-day this once barren soil is COW
cred with forests Of 10000 olive and
10000 almond trees. The product of
these. together with proceeds obta ined
from the sale of hides and wool, from
cattle and sheep raising. produced a
net profit of 5 per cent on the origi-
nal investment. These marvellous re-
suits were accomplished through sci
entifc methods of Agriculture The
land was irrigated and the soil fer
tilted"
The members of the "Poriah" colony
will make their settlement the center
OF manufacturing and commercial en-
terprlses closely related to their agri-
cultural products, according to Mr.
Goldman. Each house in the colony
is TO have its own water supply and
electric lights, and the colony is to
be connected with surrounding colo
nv ~ al SitClIlc system,
Whlch Will eventually be extended
throughout Palestine" he continued.
The River Jordan flows short
distance from the colony and has a
sufficient fall to produce adequate
electric power for all the ten colonies
located around Poriah. BY damming
the waterfall we also plan to utilize
the power for factory purposes"
manufacturing industries that are
planned for Poriah and other agri-
tural colonies in Palestine. Mr.. Gold
man said, are almond butter to supply
butter fats shortages. olive oil soap,
wooden mills and tanneries
The successful establishment of
Poriah on an economical business
basis. together with the great prog
ress made by the other forty-four Jew
ish colonies during the past decade,
must convince the world that the
Jewish people are developing a genius
for the successful accomplishment of
rural and pastoral pursuits in Pales-