The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-16

which he is the sole supporter. Dis
covering that great numbers or the
aged and infirm of Jerusalem were
without means Of support and We're
frequently in the throes OF starvation
because there was no organized means
of relief in the city, he started two
soup kitchens. This was a year ago,
and since that time the institutions
have been working night and day with
great results.
Each day from 500 to 500 men and
women and children are fed at these
kitchens and the food they receive
then is about the only subsistence they
secure. No lines are drawn and persons
of all religions are entitled to the aid.
Naturally the name of Straus is bless
ed HUTUug the poor of Jerusalem.
But Mr. Straus was not satisfied
with the soup kitchens. They were
remedy for disease, but he sought
preventive for the aliment that was
producing Migrants and beggars in
the Holy City His investigation dis
closed the fact that many of the young
men and young women were never
trained to support themselves in any
way and were virtually dependents
from childhood on. So he decided to
educate them in some useful occupa-
ton which would prevent them from
becoming useless in old age and would
One of the principal businesses Of
Jerusalem is the selling of small OBJ
iects of art and other souvenirs 10
the throng of tourists that flock to
the city every year. Seeing some
thing to be gained in this, Mr.. Straus
hired skilled artisans, secured build
ings which were fitted with proper
machinery and started an Industrial
school for the manufacture Of the
salable souvenirs of Jerusalem. This
venture proved an immediate success
and the institution is crowded with
the previously neglected youths, who
have shown not only "A Willingness but
a distinct desire to learn some such
useful and lucrative occupation. ~ The
souvenirs that used TO come from the
larger cities of that part of the coun-
try, and some even from the conti-
nent and America, are now produced
right on the ground. The workers
get the proceeds of their labor and
the undertaking bids fair 10 he in time
one of the biggest and most success
full of the kind in the world.
At about the time of the establish
ment of the. relief fund Mr.. Straus'
sympathies were so strongly aroused
by the unfortunate situation in which
he found a great majority of the in
habitants in regard TO hygienic pre-
cautions that he determined 70 do
something In that direction. DR..
Aaronsohn and other officials Of the
agricultural station were delighted
with the decision and labored with
him to effect his purpose. Such
things as sanitation, the scientific
battling with disease. proper drain
age and even the use of such sim
pie health expedients as 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 a campaign Of edu-
cation.
/ The result Of this situation was the
health bureau. perhaps the most un-
usual institution of its kind in the
/ world With funds furnished BY Mr.
/ Straus some empty buildings were Sc
cured and an experienced physician
found to take charge of what Is the
only medical laboratory In all Pales-
tine. With this as basis the WORK
{ has been extended from Jerusalem
where IL was started. 70 every part
/ Of the country. New II is firmly es-
athlished and growing every day
Money for lis continuance Is furnish
ed by MIR. Straus and great Interest
/ ia taken In the work by the Ameri.
}
1 establishment of the agricultural sta
tion.
The physician in charge Of the bu
reau is DR.. Brunn. a twenty EIGHT
year~old graduate of the University
Of Berlin. who had done work in tbs
German colonies in Central Africg
and had settled in Jerusalem HI
was recommended to Mr.. Straus by
Dr. Aaronsohn. and in his hands wa
placed the organization of the enter
prise The equipment for the labora
tory was imported from Germany a
considerable cost and is of the mos
modern kind. suitable for CheInica
analyses and examinations necessar!
in the determination of the nature
of disease.
DR. Brunn became acquainted will
J.. Mfr. S,raus when the latter was taker
Ill as he was about TO return to thi
country last spring The doctor &C
companied the philanthropist from
Jaffa in Palestine to Naples, reaching
there lust about the time of thu
Titanic disaster, i'm which fsido
Straus lost his life. Nathan Straus
condition was made more sedfous b,
= this loss and the young physician
stayed with him until he was abb
10 sail for America That cementet
a friendship and gave MI Straus tn
utmost confidence in the success o
the bureau.
Returning from Naples 10 Jerusalem
DR. Brunn set about the sull turthe
extension of the plans. The bureau Il
modelled as closely as possible upoi
the board Of health of New York. tn
reports of which are sent 10 Palestine
and information in regard to which ha
been literally furnished by the official
here. DR. Brunn has never been In thi
country, but is planning trip here 4
the near future to study local health
regulation at close range. Or. Aaron
sohn says that the work of the bu
reau's chief has been most remark
able and up to date in every way.
AT the present time Or. Brunn ha
two young doctors assisting him an
also two nurses II liz not possible &
da any actual hospitaf work, but meth