Page:The Czechoslovak Review, vol3, 1919.djvu/292



A commission of Czechoslovak industrial and agricultural experts has just sailed from America after a strenuous inspection trip covering a month which took the members from New York as far as Western Nebraska. The commission was headed by two members of the National Assembly, František Biňovec, a brick manufacturer, and Josef Špaček, a planter. With them went Frant. Zrust, director of the implement divison of the Agrarian Bank, Stanislav Špaček, an engineer experienced in public works, Václav Mašek, agricultural expert, Viktor Neuman, construction and railroad engineer, and Mr. and Mrs. Bezdiček, farmers. The commission had with them Lieut. Mička as courier. They visited New York and Washington, Pittsburgh and Cleveland, Chicago, the Keokuk hydro-electric plant, Omaha and the irrigation works at North Platte, Neb. They were particularly interested in farming implements and methods of farm cultivation, great public works, building industry and in general American organization and efficiency methods. They had little time for anything but their mission of seeing as much as possible of the American industrial ways, but they did address their countrymen in America, in New York, Chicago and Omaha. Both the members of the Czechoslovak parliament are excellent speakers and created a fine impression by their expression of gratitude to Czechoslovaks in America for the share they had in the fight for independence, and by their sensible discussion of the problems which the young republic has to face. In Chicago the commission was guided and entertained by members of the Czechoslovak Chamber of Commerce.



On August 2, Charles Pergler, commissioner of the Czechoslovak Republic, sailed from the United States on a leave of absence, accompanied by Mrs. Pergler. Since the departure of Prof. Masaryk from the United States in November, 1 Mr. Pergler has been in charge of Czechoslovak interests in the United States, having been promoted to this post after three years of work as the Washington representative of Czechoslovak organizations in America, and as Štefanik’s and Masaryk’s principal co-worker. At the time he gave up his law practice in Cresco, Ia., in order to devote his energies to the cause of his native country, the Czechoslovaks were almost unknown, and only the optimists felt sure that the Austrian yoke would be broken. He has accomp-