Declare Closing of Straus Soup Kitchens Indicates Improved Status of Jews

The news of the closing of the Nathan Straus Soup Kitchens in Jerusalem was commented upon yesterday by Felix M. Warburg and Dr. Stephen S. Wise, who regarded the action as indicative of an improved status of the Jews in Palestine and as raising the standard of self-respect of the people. Their views were expressed in letters sent to Nathan Straus, Jr., and were made public, in the absence of Mr. Straus from the city, by Morris Rothenberg, President of the Zionist Organization of America.

Felix Warburg’s letter read as follows:

“I have learned with a great deal of interest that the soup kitchen in the Nathan Straus Health Center in Jerusalem is to be discontinued and that valuable space will be used for other purposes, more constructive than the mere doling out of food. My information also shows that arrangements have been made so that those who are really in dire straits will be taken care of in other ways.

“From what I was told when in Palestine and from the experiences which we have had elsewhere, also in this country, I feel that the step which you have taken, no doubt after full consideration and consultation with the people in Palestine, is a wise one and is in step with the desire of everybody interested in Palestine and who seek to raise the standards of self respect among the population.”

In his letter, Dr. Stephen S. Wise said:

“The news that the soup-kitchens in Palestine are to be discontinued because the day of soup-kitchens in that country is past is in a sense good news. I am particularly pleased to learn that naturally you have taken this step only after a thorough survey of conditions on the spot by qualified experts.

“It is good to know from you that the small number of former users of the soup-kitchens who are actually in need will be cared for by the Nathan Straus Foundation in a way that will not necessitate their going out to soup-kitchens to get food. I understand that owing to conditions in this country, the Foundation bearing your father’s name is virtually without income and that the work of feding these people who are in actual need will be made possible through gifts from your sister, your brother and yourself.

“I hope the day will come when the properties of the Nathan Straus Foundation will again yield an income and, knowing all of you as I do, I have no doubt that when that day comes, the children of Nathan and Lina Straus will, in the spirit of their parents and because of their deep interest in Palestine, give full consideration to the actual needs of Palestine at that time.”