Feeding the Hungry, P. C. Hiebert, 1929

ia, and for work with Russian refugees in Constantinople during the period S72 FEEDING THE HUNGRY of waiting. Supplies were sent to Constantinople and communications with our group there were maintained through the offices of the N.E.R. When the agreement was signed with Russia in 1921, it was possible in a short time for Arthur Slagel, a member of the original Unit, to proceed with supplies from Constantinople via the Black Sea and Odessa to the section of Russia where we desired to work. During this period of waiting the Mennonite Central Committee continued to look for ways of getting into Russia. In the spring of 1921 the American Friends Service Committee with offices in Philadelphia, Pa., made some propositions for codperative work, but no plan agreeable to both organizations could be decided upon at that time. In the meantime reports of famine conditions in Russia, particularly in the Volga section, were filtering through to America, a wide general interest developed, and the conviction grew that American relief activities in Europe ought to be extended to Russia. On August 24, 1921, representatives of a number of relief organizations met in Washington, D. C., to discuss ways and means for Russian relief. The following or- ganizations were represented: American Friends Service Committee. American Red Cross. American Relief Administration. Federal Council of Churches. Jewish Joint Distribution Committee. Knights of Columbus. National Catholic Welfare Council. Young Men’s Christian Association. Young Women’s Christian Association. The minutes of this meeting furnish the following facts; 1. It was decided that inasmuch as the whole problem PERSONNEL OF THE CENTRAL COMMITTEE 373 was apparently beyond the resources of private charity, the work of the associations represented at this meeting would in its initial stages be directed in priority toward helping children and furnishing medical supplies. 2. A summary of the agreement signed by the Ameri- can Relief Administration and the Soviet authorities at Riga was then presented to those present for their information, Mr. Hoover offering the benefits of said agreement to the other organizations comprising the council, should they de- sire to engage in relief. 3. After discussing the part to be played in the relief by each of the associations comprising the European Relief Council and in settlement of the complete consideration and coordination of the above associations, the following memo- randum was agreed to by all: a. The agreement between the American Relief Ad- ministration and the Soviet authorities at Riga is accepted by the associations affiliated in the European Relief Coun- cil and all activites will be according to this agreement. b. The Director of the American Relief Administra- tion in Russia will assign to the American Friends Service Committee, which is now conducting relief work in Rus- sia,