This afternoon at Temple Emanu-El leaders in business, industry and civic life will join in the last rites for Daniel Guggenheim, distinguished philanthropist, mining magnate and financier, who died suddenly Sunday morning at his home on Long Island at the age of 74. He is survived by his wife, a daughter, Mrs. Roger Straus, and two sons, Harry F. Guggenheim, American ambassador to Cuba, and Col. M. Robert Guggenheim. He also leaves four brothers, Murray, Solomon, R. William and Simon, the latter former United States Senator from Colorado.
His career was inseparably linked with the development of the mining industry in this country, particularly copper. From his father’s small investment in a Colorado mine in the early 1880’s the Guggenheim holdings were gradually extended until the entire family was engaged in operating the manifold enterprises. Daniel Guggenheim, noted for the progressive and far-sighted methods he introduced into the mining industry, was a pioneer in the introduction of new processes. He never hesitated at spending huge sums of money merely to examine the possibilities of a mining property.
ENTERPRISES VAST
Alaska, Mexico, Chile, Belgian Congo, Colorado, Montana and Bolivia are some of the places to which the Guggenheims were led by their initiative and enterprise. Ever in the van of new developments in mining, Daniel Guggenheim was also a master organizer, having been the prime mover in the merging of the Guggenheim interests into the American Smelting and Refining Company. For almost two decades he was either chairman of the board or president of this huge undertaking.
Great capitalist that he was, Daniel Guggenheim was also known as an advocate of workers’ welfare. In the course of a government probe of the labor situation he declared that if the Guggenheim interests ever failed to put into effect a remedial measure for improving the condition of its workers he would quit. He was a wholehearted approver of trade unionism. There could never be “too much legislation along humanitarian lines,” he said.
NUMEROUS PHILANTHROPIES
His numerous philanthropies, many of which were anonymous, were principally directed towards the support of popular appreciation of classical music and the development of aviation. In 1924 he established the Daniel and Florence Guggenheim Foundation to promote “through charitable and benevolent activities the welfare of mankind.” He endowed this Foundation with many millions of dollars. Together with his brother Murray, he financed the Goldman Band Concerts in Central Park.
Five years ago he gave New York University $500,000 for the establishment of the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the Promotion of Aviation. This Foundation has had an important part in the development of aviation in this country, having financed Lindbergh’s tour of the country, cooperated with the government, and aided in the organization of air mail routes. The foundation has also spent almost $1,000,000 on aviation educational centers in various colleges and universities.
His achievements in industries, philanthropy and aviation are being widely praised by men in all walks of life. Mr. Guggenheim was a member of Temple Emanu-El. For a number of years he was a trustee of the congregation.
Help ensure Jewish news remains accessible to all. Your donation to the Jewish Telegraphic Agency powers the trusted journalism that has connected Jewish communities worldwide for more than 100 years. With your help, JTA can continue to deliver vital news and insights. Donate today.
The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
