The Springfield herald., 1913-04-04

expenditure of both time and a great deal Of
money he devoted himself to the object with
result that has now far exceeded even the most
sanguine expectations.
The first thing he did to start the Nathan
Straus Relief Fund of which he is the sole sup
porter. Discovering that great numbers of the
aged and infirm of Jerusalem were without means
of support and were frequently in the throes of
starvation because there was no organized means
of relief in the city he started two soup kitchens.
This was year ago. and since that time the in
stitutions have been working night and day with
great results.
children fed at these kitchens and the food
they receive there is about the only subsistence
they secure. No lines drawn and persons
of all religions entitled to the aid.
But Mr.. Straus not satisfied with the soup
kitchens They a remedy for disease,
but he sought a preventive for the ailment that
was producing vagrants and beggars in the Holy
City. HIS investigation disclosed the fact that
many of the young men and young women were
never trained to support themselves in any way
and wereA virtually dependents from childhood on.
So he decided to educate them in some usdful
occupation which would prevent them from be-
coming useless in old age and would make them
credtable citizens.
One of the principal businesses of Jerusalem
is the selling of small objects of art and other
souvenirs to the throng of tourists that flock to
the city every year. Seeing something to be
gained In this, Mr.. Straus hired skilled artisans
secured buildings which were fitted with proper
machinery and started an Industrial school fof
the manufacture Of the salable souvenirs of Jeru
salem. This venture proved immediate sue
cess and the institution is crowded with the pre-
viously neglected youths who have shown not
only willingness but distinct desire to learn
some such useful and lucrative occupation The
souvenirs that used to from the larger
cities Of that part of the country, and some even
from the continent and America are now pro-
duced right the ground. The workers get the
proceeds of their labor and the undertaking bids
fair to be in time one of the biggest and most
successful Of the kind In the world.
At about the time Of the establishment of the
relief fund Mr.. Strauss sympathies were SO
strongly aroused by tho unfortunate situation in
which he found great majority of the inhab-
itants in regard to hygienic precautions that he
determined to do something in that direction.
DR.. Aaronsohn and other officials of the agricul
tural station were delighted with the decision
and labored with him to effect his purpose Such
things sanitation. the scientific battling with
disease. proper drainage and even the use Of
such simple health expedents soap and water
were almost unknown to people in Palestine
Year in and year out hundreds of them had been
dying solely because of this ignorance of the
very essentials of hygiene Mr.. Straus set about
campaign of education.
The result of this situation was the health bu.
reau perhaps the most unusual institution Of its
kind in the world With funds furnished by Mr..
Straus empty buildings secured and
an experienced physician found to take charge