Evening star., 1947-10-27
Truman Makes Plea
For Aid 10 Refugees
Al Straus Memorial

Al Straus Memorial
President Truman has expressed
the hope that Americans will "de
our part" in admitting displaced
persons from Europe.
Mr.. Truman made this statement
yesterday as he spoke at ceremonies
across the street from the Commerce
Department as he accepted on be-
half of the Government a memorial
honoring Oscar S. Straus, former
cabinet officer, statesman and hui
manitarian.
In paying tribute to Mr.. Straus
and the Straus family. Mr.. Truman
said, They were great family,
and added They were displaced
persons"
Served Under Three Presidents.
Mr.. Straus, a German Jew who
died in 1926. was brought to the
United States when he was 3 years
old. He served as Minister to Turkey
under three Presidents, and later
was named Secretary of Commerce
and Labor in December, 1906, by
President Theodore Roosevelt. For
many years he was a member of the
Hague Permanent Court of Arbitra-
ton and was the author of num-
ber of distinguished books, among
them 'Origin of the Republican
Form of Government"
Mr.. Truman, speaking extempor.
aneously. said:
"Oh, I wish we could have the
same tolerance to meet the situation
with which we are faced now as we
had in 1852 and 1854 when the
Straus family came to this country
Would Have Lost Services.
"Just think what would have hap
pened. We would have lost the serv-
ices of this great man, and his
brothers, If we had followed the
same program as we are following
now.
at hope we can overcome that
situation ands do our part toward
meeting the situation with which
we are faced now as the people
we're faced then in 1S4s and 1857
and 1854"
The President has repeatedly
urged Congress for legislative
changes to. permit the immigration
of a greater number of Europe's dis
placed persons into this country.
Mr.. Straus, whose life eXempli-
fed the principle of freedom fol
every race, creed and religion, was
praised by the President as having
done more for the Christians ol
Turkey" than any man before him
Chosen in National Survey.
Mr.. Straus was selected in q
Nation wide survey as the Jew who
because of his service to America
most deserved to be honored with
statue.
The memorial, which stands ir
back of the District Building anc
across the street from the Com
merce Department. was presented
to Mr.. Truman and the United
States Government by Col. Archi.
bald B. Roosevelt, president of the
Oscar S. Straus Memorial Associa-
tion.
Col. Roosevelt. the son Of the late
President Theodore Roosevelt under
whom Mr.. Straus served. read q
message from former President
Hoover in which Mr.. Hoover de-
clared:
1T has been my privilege to
serve as honorary president of the
Oscar S. StrSus Memorial Associa-
tan, and thus to serve IN some
measure in the realization of this
tribute to man whom I knew
and loved-and to the high ideals
for which not I alone but his
Nation honored him. 1t is a source
Of intense qualification to me to
know that this memorial shall
stand in our Capital-a signpost
toward that world brotherhood
which was Oscar S. Straus' dearest
wish"
Recalls Straus Selection.
Col. Roosevelt recalled that his
father, in selecting Mr.. Straus as
Secretary of Commerce and Labor
in 1906, said he was doing so not
only because of Mr.. Straus' char
acter and ability but because Il want
to show Russia and such countries
what we think of a Jew in this coun-
try"
The memorial consists of cir
cular fountain flanked by two
pedestals supporting allegorical
groups cast in bronze.
The monument. Mr.. Truman said
is not only one to the man but Ito
tolerance and reason"
Winding up his eulogy of Mr.
Stratus, the President said, "Oh, that
we had more like him. wish we
could raise some more of the same
stock"
The invocation was by the Rev
e. E. Harkness, president of the
American Baptist Historical Society
Rabbi Stephen S. Wise, founder OF
the Free Synagogue of New York
City. delivered the benediction.
The memorial was the work of
Sculptor Adolph A. Weinman.