J.D.B. News Letter

During the course of the hearing in the House Library Committee, when a resolution was favorably reported authorizing the erection of a memorial in Washington to the late Oscar S. Straus, it was suggested that the monument to Mr. Straus take the form of a fountain instead of a statue, in view of the fact that statues already predominate in Washington. Congressman Celler assured the Committee that this suggestion would be taken into consideration.

Congressman Celler, in the course of his remarks, reminded the Committee that Oscar Straus “was born out of this country and therefore was a citizen by choice,” and added further: “We hear much in connection with immigration and immigrants. Here is a man who embraced citizenship in our land and reached the highest pinnacle of power. Surely, his history, his efforts and strivings, his humanitarian service and his great patriotism would be a great inspiration to those who come from foreign parts and I am sure would be a beacon light that would guide and encourage those who sought refuge or, for other reasons than religion or politics, came to the United States.”

Mr. Celler also read from a statement made by President Roosevelt, an acknowledgment that “Mr. Straus was one of the two or three men who first set my mind, after I came in as President, in the direction of doing everything that could be done for the Hague Tribunal, as that seemed to be the best way to turn for arbitration.”

At one point during the hearing, Congressman Gilbert of Kentucky asked Congressman Celler: “What part did Mr. Straus play in the great Jewish movement ‘Back to Palestine’?”

Mr. Celler replied: “Mr. Straus died before the idea of Palestine as a homeland for the Jews had reached a real momentum. That movement had not reached the strength it now possesses. Mr. Straus, I believe-and it is only my personal opinion gathered from his writings and works-had not reached a conclusion that such a movement was the proper step for Jews to take. I do not believe he thought the Jews should return to Palestine in the mode and manner and fashion that the Balfour Declaration prescribes. I would not want to vouchsafe any opinion, directly or indirectly or remotely, as to what Mr. Straus’s attitude on that problem would be.

“I think, however, that had he lived until today he would have had a benevolent attitude toward the Palestinian movement; but he helped in an immeasurable degree the plight of his coreligionists the world over.”

The report of the Library Committee, filed by Chairman Luce, recommending adoption of the Celler resolution, is high (Continued on Page 4)

in its praise of Straus. It read as follows:

“Oscar S. Straus was a statesman, diplomat, adviser of Presidents, champion of industrial harmony, advocate for universal peace. He had the distinction of serving under four administrations. He was minister to Turkey under Presidents Cleveland and McKinley, Secretary of Commerce and Labor under President Roosevelt, and ambasador to Turkey under President Taft.

“He was a ‘citizen by choice,’ having been born in Bavaria, December 23, 1850. He was brought by his father, Lazarus, to America two years later and the family settled in Talbotton, Ga., subsequently moving to Columbus, Ga.

“The boy, Oscar, received his education at Collinsworth Institute, Georgia, and afterwards graduated from Columbia College and Columbia Law School. He started to practice law in New York and then engaged in business. It was at the suggestion of Henry Ward Beecher that President Cleveland appointed him as minister to Turkey. As such he distinguished himself by his vigorous protection of Robert College and of mission schools in Turkey, Egypt and Syria.

“In the course of his second mission to Turkey he was enabled, through his influence with the Sultan, to prevent an insurrection of the Mohammedans in the Philippine Islands, thus saving the United States at least 20,000 soldiers in the field, and much loss of life.

“In 1902, President Roosevelt appointed him as a member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration at the Hague, to which post he was reappointed in 1908 by Mr. Roosevelt and in 1912 and 1920 by President Wilson.

“He was mainly instrumental in our breaking diplomatic relations with Russit because of her outrageous treatment of our citizens and proscription of them by reason of religion. No man has contributed more than he to American humanitarian diplomacy.

“Similarly, he influenced the drafting and the sending of the famous Hay note to the powers signatory to the treaty of Berlin in September of 1902 concerning barbarous treatment of religious minorities in Roumania, and thereby made Roumania realize the indignation and resentment of the civilized world at the wretched conditions prevailing in that country, conditions now happily removed.

“Straus rendered yeoman service in the promotion of industrial peace as a member of the National Civic Federation and as its vice president and furthermore as chairman of a New York Public Service Commission he frequently adjusted labor difficulties and prevented many important strikes.

“Fierce fighter for religious toleration, he wrote ‘Roger Williams, the Pioneer of Reliigous Liberty,’ which earned for him an honorary degree from Brown University. He also wrote the ‘Orogin of the Republican Form of Government of the United States of America.’

“President Roosevelt, in appointing Straus to his cabinet, said:

“‘I have a very high estimate of your judgment and your ability, and I want you for personal reasons. There is still a further reasons: I want to show Russia and some other countries what we think of the Jews in this country.’

“A monument or memorial to Oscar S. Straus would serve to remind us of his unfaltering devotion to the ideals of our country and the rendering of great service in the light of those ideals-Furthermore, such a monument would serve to inspire us to emulate his example.

“In his autobiography, ‘Under Four Administrations,’ he says in his preface:

“‘I have also been influenced by a desire to bring a message of encouragement to the youth of our country, especially to those who may be conscious of handicaps in the face, not to lose heart, but to be patient, considerate, and tactful, and not to withhold the saving extra ounce of effort which often spells the difference between failure and success.’

“A monument to this noble character would encourage such of our youth as may be handicapped somewhat by religion and race, ‘not to withhold the extra ounce of effort which often spells the difference between failure and success.’

“The memorial or monument is to be approved by the Commission of Fine Arts, and the site by the Director of Public Buildings and Public Parks. Its erection is to be without any expense to the Government.”

The only resolution for the erection of a monument in Washington to a Jew within recent memory is that introduced in the House by Representative Charles A. Mooney, of Ohio, over a year ago, to erect a monument in honor of Haym Salomon. No action as as yet been taken on this resolution, which is still pending before the Library Committee.