The Springfield herald., 1913-04-04

I to this country to report to the department of
agriculture on the results of experiments in the
aeyelopment for industrial purposes of the grow
ing Of wild wheat" which is found in profusion
in the farming sections of his native country.
Since he has been here he has made an extended
trip through California, Arizona and Texas at the
request of the agricultural department to intro
duce and direct experiments with the wheat in
those states.
1t was directly through the discovery by DR..
AaronsOhn of wild wheat that the Jewish agr
cultural experiment station in Palestine was
founded. He was born and brought up in that
country. the son Of native farmer, and after
receiving medical education he to this
country to what reception he would have for
his theories that the cultivation and adoption Of
the wheat for commercial purposes would tend
to cheaper foOdstuf1s and render usable many
Arid districts In the west where nothing could
grow before. He was favorably received by the
federal agricultural authorities and his trip
met the who ultimately united to form the
station of which he is the head. julius
Rosenwald of Chicago is president OF the board
of directors of the station and members of 1t are
Oscar Straus. Paul NJ. Warburg Isaac N. Selig
man and Jacob H. Schin. The late Isidor Straus
was also affiliated with the organization and SO
IL Nathan Straus.
With a plan for the Industrial betterment of
Palestine and its inhabitants under way, natural
ly 1t became necessary to do something for the
physical aleviation of the people themselves.
since 1t had been found that healthy men to do
the work were an Indispensable requirement
The rate of mortality in the country was very
high and the general health of 80 low standard
that 1t soon became evident that something must
be done to improve conditions II the agricultural
movement to be success
At the time this need became most evident,
something more than year ago, Nathan straus
was in Palestine pleasure trip. He was ap-
pealed to- but at first declined to do anything in
that country. as he thought his first duty. from
humanitarian standpoint was to the poor and
the suffering of the United States. He consent
ed however to investigate the situation person
ally and soon became impressed with the con,
ditions that he assured those who had made the
appeal that he would do all in his power to re-
lieve them and would also solicit the aid of his
numerous friends. Since then his efforts have
been unremitting and such improvements have
been introduced that Palestine in general and
Jerusalem In particular have become modernized
from a hygienic point Of view to an extent that
was not dreamed Of few years ago.
1t was not only because of his personal expe-
rience that Mr.. Straus determined to lend his aid
in Palestine. He believes that all members of
the Jewish race a peculiar duty and obliga
ton to that country and that wherever feasible
no effort should be spared to civilize and bring
It to a position where 1t will bear comparison
with any other community In the civilized world.
No sooner had Mr.. Straus seen with his own
eyes the ptiful and squad conditions in Pales-
tine that SO sadly needed relief than he. with
the decision and generosity characteristic of him.
took immediate steps to correct them. With the