Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-11-03

erary man and educator, who recently
took foremost part in the crusade for
simplified spelling. Young Stratus stud
led law and two years later began the
practice He was one Of the first law
yers In the United States to prosecute
a railroad for making illegal freight
rates for the benefit Of favored patrons.
In this case he worked SO hard that his
weight was reduced to ninety mine
pounds
"Then," says Mr.. Straus, 81 decided
that would go to a doctor. The ply
stefan told me that my only chance to
live lay in changing my work. My Ia
ther and brothers had wanted me to
60 into their firm, and I went"
Sought Recreation In Reading and Writing
1t was only change Of work, not a
cessation. Oscar Straus took charge
of an important branch Of the bust
ness, which had grown to enormous
proportions. He determined to read all
the letters received and answered per-
sonally the most important. This kept
him at his desk from about $50 to 9
o'clock every day. Every evening In
his library at home he sought recrea-
ton in reading and writing. He was
too busy to go out to the libraries for
books needed in his historical re.
searches, so he sent out and bought
them keeping agents constantly on the
watch for valuable works. Thus he
accumulated what is regarded as one
of the finest private libraries In the
United States.
But with all his devotion to business
and to literary labors Mr.. Straus al
ways found time to take an active part
In the various movements for civic bet
terment which were in progress from
year to year Through magazine arti-
cles, lectures and addresses his atti-
tude in relation to many important
matters was made known. He served
as trustee for the Baron de Hirsch re-
lief fund for Russian immigrants. He
helped to organize and was president
Of the National Civic federation. He
was one Of the founders Of the Young
Mems Hebrew association.
A list Of all the societies political,
charitable, civic and literary-to which
Mr.. Straus belongs and In which for
years he has been prominent would
look like catalogue.
Never Pyrotechnic Politician.
Nobody can say that President
Roosevelt has selected for the COM
merce and labor portfolio an inactive
man, Notwithstanding the fact that Mr..
Straus never has been pyrotechnic
politician and that he has preferred his
library and his home life to the APP
plause Of listening multitudes. Nor
can we say that here is an example OF
the scholar in politics. Mr.. Stratus Is
the scholar In craftsmanship. 1t may
be doubted with very good reason that
Mr.. Straus could be elected constable
of q township through his own appeal
to the voters. His brand Of personal
magnetism was not made for practical
politics.
New York. which knows Oscar
Stratus, was not surprised when the
president Gn-s3rnced his selection as
secretary Of commerce and labor. It Is
said that President Mckinley once con
sidered hinl~ Tor secretary of state
when John Hay hs.l some thought Of
retiring. ". ss.sr,ua l.cloase;ss to- the.
type Of III, --ao :,is.-.',,- .sats there.
He has /: - es..i''..,,.e, to succeed.
He just kept a. e 5.n,..... fortune
gave hit. !,.n ~ 10. Working,
and na.r..c e., a-- ~ i taste
for it. The res..--t -, ri ;-' =, he
did during LII C. . help
along his e.,,2e.,Is ~ ss,l along
his education as 4 s..t Il! 4 stu
dent Of affairs. E'ie,es, Il. saa he be-
gan law practice he i,a<: Z. Ell fnan-
cial beds of roses. I.;s ilt...l had so
much business from tl,as.a.t that Mr..
Stratus broke down fro.. overvork at
the age Of thirty and had to change his
occupation, as VIC have sem. Then
the crockery business r,ase millions
for him and the dr. goods business
other millions.
I1uNiliss St3Ct.setASst III lStN iilCidluIc,
diplomacy, philanthropy, finance and
business. may we not reasonably ex-
pect him to do well as u cabinet Of
ficer?
One great work Of Mr.. Strauss Is re-
served for final mention, just as we
keep pie till the end Of the dinner. be-
cause 1t Is the best This is his work
in behalf Of universal peace. He has
presided at peace conferences, and at
one of them he said:
"war is inexplicable to meas in
eSplicable as all murderous hatreds
and feuds."
Berlin Oct. 30.-Emperor William IS
obliged to remain indoors for the pres
emit, following the advice of his ply
sicians, but assurance comes from the
palace that there is not the least oc-
casion for concern, as his majesty -
only suffering from a simple cold.
Moderate