Page 253 - ISRAEL'S CRADLE

Misgivings about Erecting the Building
Dr. Chaim Arlosoroff
Even before construction of the building was completed, it came up from time to time for discussion. That is how it was in early 1933, when on the right side already stood the KKL-JNF Building and on the left side stood the Keren Hayesod Building. The middle, in the center, was still empty and expected the erection of the Jewish Agency Building. In a meeting of the Agency Executive on February 26, 1933, it was stated that the engineers Hecker and Yellin were proposing that the Agency Building be built under particularly better conditions.
Before the members of the Executive began expressing their opinions, the Head of the Political Department, Dr. Haim Arlosoroff, joined the discussion. Dr. Berkson expressed doubts. In his opinion, it is unclear
whether three institutions would be able to operate properly in one big building. They should also take into account the dire economic situation and thoroughly reconsider whether to approach construction at this time.
Dr. Arlosoroff believed otherwise. In his opinion, the multitude of institutions in one building would actually be beneficial. It would expose redundancies in the work of the Jewish Agency and the Jewish National Council, thus preventing waste. His statements indicated that a decision was adopted in the previous year concerning the status of the work in Jerusalem, and according to him:
The decision to keep the building's construction in reserve [on hold] for a time of inactivity, lacks weight.
Dr. Arlosoroff proposed gathering data on the cost of rent of the Agency's offices throughout Jerusalem and compare them to the cost of construction. He expressed his confidence that it is economically feasible to proceed with construction of the Jewish Agency Wing.
A Three-Way "Thank You" from Kfar Saba
The offices of the Agency in Rehavia, just like the offices of the three other partners in the building, always teemed with delegations and individuals who came to seek advice, complain and sometimes even give thanks. A place of pilgrimage. The three "Kfar Saba Prisoners," who came straight from the prison in Jerusalem (the "Kishle") to the Jewish Agency's offices, spoke words of gratitude. The date: August 22, 1934. The three had been sentenced to six months of imprisonment more than three months before for the "offense" of participating in demonstrations for Hebrew labor in
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