El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-09-13


/ FOLLOWING sermon by rabbi Mar
1 tin ZieIonka was preached in Tem-
pie Mt Sinai Friday evening rs a trib-
ute to @RObert Krakauer-Citizen."
before large audience OF EentiIes and
Jews;
I IETHEN the news flashed through
! w the city that Robert Krakauer
was no more. men and women would
not believe it; they could not believe
It,
And when the news was verified and
the tragic character Of his end became
known. the citizenship Of FL Paso was
stunned In the prime OF life. at the
very zenith Of accomplishment. stray
shot robbed this community OF his
leadership and initiative.
What was it that made everyone
feel a personal loss? What was It
that made rich and poor. mechanic and
merchant. realize that the city had a
great Ioss2 Why is it that men
stopped at street corners and with
a tear drop in the eyes spoke Of his
leadership and his worth; why is it
that hundreds upon hundreds crowded
about his home to pay the last hon.
age TO their friend and when pass
ing by his casker felt a lump rise in
their Threats and tears dim their
vision?
What Made Him Different
Robert Kraksuer was a young man;
genius or that be had immense wealth.
These, then, were not the basis Of
the grief that came over the commu-
nifty. What was II that distinguished
our Bob from the hundreds Of young
men Of equal attachments and Of
about the same ageZ
1t is not chance that causes n
city TO join in grieff II Is not an
accident when thousands publicly
proclaim their loss.
What did he possess which we
might cultivate2 II his having been
in our midst means that he leaves a
memory, fading memory, for the
passing years, then has he lived in
vain2 II we can CLEAN from his life
that characteristic which endeared
that characteristic, then has he
blessed US a thousand fold
I wish that mine were the time to
speak Of him as a son and as a hus-
band; 10 depict for you some OF that
] tenderness and love that was re-
served for those closest to him and so
well known TO those who came into
the home contacts.
His Conception Of CItizenship.
wish that mine were the time to
present to you that gradual unfold
ment Of his inner life which led to
an ever increasing interest in this
place Of worship and was demonstrate
ed by the time and attention given as
chairman Of the temple building com
mittee. And yet. while I have not
the time TO enter into these matters.
believe that they are included in and
lead up to that which made him such
a distinct personaity-his conception
OF citizenship.
In these crucial days there are far
too many who are willing 10 ride with
the tide. Bob" Krakauer conceived
his duty as a citizen TO demand OF him
service for his fellow man.
Gifted with n splendid power OF
analysis, he did not deem It Euf-
fieieRt to sit in HIS office and
decry the efforts of others; he felt
II duty 10 inform his fellow man
as to Just what he thought and
just what he conceived, not only
his duty. hut the duty Of every
citizen in the crisis.
Can you recall a single important
civic movement Of the past decade
In which he was not a moving spirit?
Friend OF the Boys.
The boys needed a friend. someone
to help guide the gang spirit into
the more constructive spirit OF real
loyalties, and Bob" Krakauer saw in
the Boy Scout movement the organi-
zation that could produce such a re-
suit. He became active in its coun-
sells, he became a vice president and
helned arrange its financial affairs.
The poor and needv. white and
black, American or Mexican. needed
some central organization to help
them out Of their poverty. to give
them another chance. to sympatheti-
cally study their needs. and Robert
! Krakauer became a wise counselor,
director and president Of the Asso-
ciated Charities.
The business interests needed the
vim and vigor that spelled advance
and the unifying force that would
mark success. and Robert Krakauer
| became president Of the chamber Of
| commerce. But that was not suffi-
Client He knew that commercial sue
! cess was only lasting when based
/ upon intellectual progress. and his