After completing a successful trip, the Straus expedition to South Africa is returning home, leaving Port Said for Europe and then New York, states a Jerusalem report to the “New York Times.”
Mrs. Oscar S. Straus headed the expedition and organized and equipped it. The party included her grandson, Edward Schafer, Jr. of New York and Mr. and Mrs. Rudyard Bolton of the Carnegie Institute of Pittsburgh. Mr. Bolton is a noted ornithologist and his wife a student of native music.
Mr. Schafer served the expedition as moving picture operator, carrying 5,000 feet of film.
Mr. Schafer, who spent two days in Jerusalem, said that Mrs. Straus was donating all the trophies, including animal specimens, to the American Museum of Natural History at New York, and the film would be given to the educational department of the museum. He also reported many thrilling experiences, particularly a big hunt, during which Mrs. Straus, who is 68, narrowly escaped when charged several times by elephants and once by a rhinoceros.
One of the principal achievements of the expedition was the discovery of two new species of birds. Among the 300 varieties brought back were birds with strange voices and weird shapes.
The East Midwood Jewish Center. Brooklyn was dedicated Sunday afternoon. The Center was erected as a cost of $1,000,000. Mayor Walker, who delivered an address, said:
“This is a place,” he reflected looking about, “to come when the shades of evening fall to consider the futility of life I. as Mayor of a great city, have more than the usual share of burdens, perhaps. Often I think that when all my fighting and working is done what is the use of it all?”
The Mayor said that residents outside of New York did not understand New Yorkers, regarding only Broadway and Wall Street, which are not the true New York, which is really a city of homes, education, churches and synagogues. The liberality of worship and thought here was the city’s heart and soul, he declared.
Fire Commissioner John J. Dorman. City Court Judge Alexander Geismar, Dr. George M. Miller of the Ocean Avenue Congregation Church and Rabbi Harry Halpern of the East Mictwood Jewish Center, also addressed the gathering. Albert Schanner presided.
Louis Adler, president of the center, received a golden key presented on behalf of the members by Louis Greenfield, chairman of the building committee.
Saul Singer was elected President of Beth Israel Hospital succeeding Joseph H. Cohen, founder and head of the institution for more than twenty-seven years. The directorate of the hospital was increased to fifty-one.
Mr. Singer, Vice-President of the Bank of United States and President of the Bankns Corporation, was Chairman of the Building and Finance Committee of the hospital.
It was disclosed that a deficit of $1,000,000 still remains. The directors immediately started plans for a $1,000 a plate dinner next month as a testimonial to Mr. Singer, and underwrote pledges for $500,000. It is planned to present Mr. Singer with a check for $2,000,000 to cover the deficiency.
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.
