Lee Kohns' father built a small business in Auburn GA., and Lazarus Straus, after running a general store in Talbotton GA., transferred his modestly successful business to Columbus, Ga. Shortly thereafter the Civil War with its disastrous financial aftermath greatly depleted their small capital. They came to New York and, after paying off their pre-war debts, which, although of doubtful legal sanction were morally binding, started again in separate enterprises.
Lee Kohns was educated at Donai Institute and public school, and in 1884 graduated from the College of the City of New York. His father in the meantime had become partner of L. Straus & Sons, founded by Lazarus Straus. Upon his graduation Lee Kohns entered the employ of his grandfather, father, and uncles Isidor, Nathan and Oscar S. Straus. He remained a member of the firm, being for a long period managing partner, until his retirement in 1923. Through his interest in L. Straus & Sons he became a partner in Abraham & Straus, of Brooklyn, and later when it was incorporated became a director and vice-president. He was for many years, and at the time of his death, a director of the American Exchange-Irving Trust Company and the National Guaranty Insurance Co. He held at varying times the presidency of the New York Board of Trade & Transportation, and the presidency of the Crockery Board of Trade.
Lee Kohns' recognized integrity and business ability was such that he was offered the Fusion nomination for President of the Borough of Manhattan on the Gaynor ticket in 1909, which he declined, and again in 1918 he refused the office of Deputy Commissioner of Public Welfare. He also declined various public offices offered him by Presidents Cleveland and Roosevelt.
After the World War, Lee Kohns, believing that a proper understanding of each other by the peoples of France and the United States was essential for the well-being of both countries, conceived the plan of establishing a chair of American literature and civilization a the Sorbonne (University of Paris). He accordingly endowed this chair which very properly was named for him. Although the plans for the establishment had been perfected less than a year before his death he saw the great enthusiasm among well-informed people of both countries, and that the work was about to start with every prospect of becoming a valuable contribution to international good-will.
Lee Kohns died January 18, 1927, in his sixty-third year. Although he had never held, nor been candidate for, public office, he devoted a large portion of his time, energy and ability to public and semi-public matters. Primarily a business man, and a successful one, he did much more than merely to attend to his own personal business, he was always alive to, and keenly interested in, any movement which would improve civic conditions and tend to give greater opportunities to the mass of the people. As a result, at the time of his death, he was first vice-president and chairman of the executive committee of the Educational Alliance, trustee of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, trustee of the Andrew Freedman Home, trustee of the United Hospital Fund, and trustee of the College of the City of New York.
]]>Lee Kohns was born in Columbus, GA., September 1, 1864. His mother, Hermine Straus, was the daughter of Lazarus and Sara Straus. His father was Lazarus Kohns. Both his parents, his father directly and his mother indirectly, were of that group of liberty-loving German Jews who along with many other liberal Germans found that the harsh and autocratic government of '48 made life there unbearable and came to America, the land of opportunity and freedom, to start their life anew.
Lee Kohns' father built a small business in Auburn GA., and Lazarus Straus, after running a general store in Talbotton GA., transferred his modestly successful business to Columbus, Ga. Shortly thereafter the Civil War with its disastrous financial aftermath greatly depleted their small capital. They came to New York and, after paying off their pre-war debts, which, although of doubtful legal sanction were morally binding, started again in separate enterprises.
Lee Kohns was educated at Donai Institute and public school, and in 1884 graduated from the College of the City of New York. His father in the meantime had become partner of L. Straus & Sons, founded by Lazarus Straus. Upon his graduation Lee Kohns entered the employ of his grandfather, father, and uncles Isidor, Nathan and Oscar S. Straus. He remained a member of the firm, being for a long period managing partner, until his retirement in 1923. Through his interest in L. Straus & Sons he became a partner in Abraham & Straus, of Brooklyn, and later when it was incorporated became a director and vice-president. He was for many years, and at the time of his death, a director of the American Exchange-Irving Trust Company and the National Guaranty Insurance Co. He held at varying times the presidency of the New York Board of Trade & Transportation, and the presidency of the Crockery Board of Trade.
Lee Kohns' recognized integrity and business ability was such that he was offered the Fusion nomination for President of the Borough of Manhattan on the Gaynor ticket in 1909, which he declined, and again in 1918 he refused the office of Deputy Commissioner of Public Welfare. He also declined various public offices offered him by Presidents Cleveland and Roosevelt.
After the World War, Lee Kohns, believing that a proper understanding of each other by the peoples of France and the United States was essential for the well-being of both countries, conceived the plan of establishing a chair of American literature and civilization a the Sorbonne (University of Paris). He accordingly endowed this chair which very properly was named for him. Although the plans for the establishment had been perfected less than a year before his death he saw the great enthusiasm among well-informed people of both countries, and that the work was about to start with every prospect of becoming a valuable contribution to international good-will.
Lee Kohns died January 18, 1927, in his sixty-third year. Although he had never held, nor been candidate for, public office, he devoted a large portion of his time, energy and ability to public and semi-public matters. Primarily a business man, and a successful one, he did much more than merely to attend to his own personal business, he was always alive to, and keenly interested in, any movement which would improve civic conditions and tend to give greater opportunities to the mass of the people. As a result, at the time of his death, he was first vice-president and chairman of the executive committee of the Educational Alliance, trustee of the Federation of Jewish Philanthropic Societies, trustee of the Andrew Freedman Home, trustee of the United Hospital Fund, and trustee of the College of the City of New York.
Links:
“Hermine Straus Kohns 1846-1923” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 7 No. 1 (New York: February 1999); pp. 4-7.
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“Unsent Telegram from Lee Kohns after ‘Titanic’” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 1 (New York: August 2001); p. 10.
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While Isidor Straus never held public office again, he remained active in civic affairs. He served on a general committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce to enter the crusade against free silver coinage. He continued to be an advisor to President Cleveland. He chaired the Citizens Committee on Conventions of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation that inaugurated a drive to bring the Democratic Convention to New York. Isidor's name was suggested in 1901 and in 1909 as a possible candidate for Mayor of New York. And in March of 1911, he was considered for nomination for the New York State Senate. His overriding desire, however, was to attend to his family and his business, both jobs he handled with perfection.
]]>Isidor (1845-1912), Nathan (1948-1931) and Oscar Straus (1850-1926) were close friends of Grover Cleveland, Governor of New York (1883-1885) and two-time President of the United States (1885-1889, 1893-1897). From 1894 to 1895, Isidor Straus served as a member of the House of Representatives under Cleveland, focusing on tariff reform, the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchasing Act and regulation of the railroads through the Interstate Commerce Commission. Although he never aspired to public office, Isidor felt it was his civic duty to serve when called.
While Isidor Straus never held public office again, he remained active in civic affairs. He served on a general committee of the New York Chamber of Commerce to enter the crusade against free silver coinage. He continued to be an advisor to President Cleveland. He chaired the Citizens Committee on Conventions of the New York Board of Trade and Transportation that inaugurated a drive to bring the Democratic Convention to New York. Isidor's name was suggested in 1901 and in 1909 as a possible candidate for Mayor of New York. And in March of 1911, he was considered for nomination for the New York State Senate. His overriding desire, however, was to attend to his family and his business, both jobs he handled with perfection.
Links:
Adler, Joan. “Many Waters Cannot Quench Love – Neither Can the Floods Drown it” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 3 No. 2 (New York: August 1995); pp. 3-8.
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“Hon. Isidor Straus, House of Representatives: 1894-1895” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 4 No. 1 (New York: August 2002); pp. 1-8.
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On February 22nd, 1932 Governor Roosevelt called a conference with T.E.R.A. chair Jesse I. Straus and NYC Emergency Work Commissioners to discuss the continuance of state aid for the jobless. On March 10th, 1932 both houses of the State Legislature passed a bill extending the life of T.E.R.A. beyond the next election.
On March 20th, 1932 Jesse said, “I regret exceedingly that I am compelled to retire from the Temporary Emergency Relief Administration. When Governor Roosevelt honored me with the appointment I do not think that either he or I anticipated the necessity for full-time services. ... it has been a privilege to share in the first State efforts to supplement local relief with State aid. I must now return to my own business.” Governor Roosevelt “regrets Mr. Straus’s resignation because of the belief that it will be difficult to find a successor who will carry on the work as efficiently and as energetically as Mr. Straus.” A March 23rd Times editorial stated, “Under his capable executive direction plans have been formulated and competent personnel employed so that this great and necessary charity will march even after the one who has done so much for it withdraws from his active connection with it. ... There is general agreement that no one could have taken hold of the business from the start with more energy and skill than Mr. Straus, or more surely made it a going concern. ...He has been one illustration more of the resources in private life which America can draw upon in times of emergency.” Jesse later said, “My experience convinced me that most of our unemployed people want work, and not charity.”
]]>The official announcement that Jesse Isidor Straus (1872-1936) would head the New York State Temporary Emergency Relief Administration (T.E.R.A.) was made September 30th, 1931. He would administer the $20,000,000 fund for the relief of the needy unemployed in the state during the coming winter. Frank Friedel, in Franklin D. Roosevelt: The Triumph wrote, “Straus had practically a free hand in organizing the T.E.R.A.” He named Harry L. Hopkins, who was executive director of the New York Tuberculosis and Health Association, executive director of T.E.R.A. Hopkins had already demonstrated his abilities in the field of social welfare. One of T.E.R.A.’s first tasks was to name a woman “of demonstrated ability” to establish a woman’s division. Roosevelt said that they “had been equipped with broad powers to establish whatever organization may be required to meet the emergency. To the extent this is possible the commissioners would enlist volunteer workers, and use unemployed persons entitled to relief in salaried positions to aid the large number of white collar workers who have lost their jobs.” An editorial in the New York Times on October 1st, 1931 states, “Nothing but a deep sense of civic obligation, we may be sure, could have induced Mr. Straus to make the personal sacrifice requisite if he was to respond to the Governor’s urgent invitation. President of a great business house, and responsible for the conduct of its affairs, with many other duties pressing upon his attention, he is ready to drop all these things and place his talents and energy at the disposal of the State. It is the very highest kind of public service. No office could bring such opportunities or entail such responsibilities. The work will be exacting and prolonged, but its successful achievement is made certain by the willingness of men like Mr. Straus to give the patriotic pleas first place. So long as this country can count upon such volunteers for emergency duty, we need not despair of the Republic.”
On February 22nd, 1932 Governor Roosevelt called a conference with T.E.R.A. chair Jesse I. Straus and NYC Emergency Work Commissioners to discuss the continuance of state aid for the jobless. On March 10th, 1932 both houses of the State Legislature passed a bill extending the life of T.E.R.A. beyond the next election.
On March 20th, 1932 Jesse said, “I regret exceedingly that I am compelled to retire from the Temporary Emergency Relief Administration. When Governor Roosevelt honored me with the appointment I do not think that either he or I anticipated the necessity for full-time services. ... it has been a privilege to share in the first State efforts to supplement local relief with State aid. I must now return to my own business.” Governor Roosevelt “regrets Mr. Straus’s resignation because of the belief that it will be difficult to find a successor who will carry on the work as efficiently and as energetically as Mr. Straus.” A March 23rd Times editorial stated, “Under his capable executive direction plans have been formulated and competent personnel employed so that this great and necessary charity will march even after the one who has done so much for it withdraws from his active connection with it. ... There is general agreement that no one could have taken hold of the business from the start with more energy and skill than Mr. Straus, or more surely made it a going concern. ...He has been one illustration more of the resources in private life which America can draw upon in times of emergency.” Jesse later said, “My experience convinced me that most of our unemployed people want work, and not charity.”
Links:
“Jesse Isidor Straus 1872-1936” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 6 No. 1 (New York: August 2004); pp. 3-7.
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“Jesse Isidor Straus 1872-1936: Part Two” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 6 No. 2 (New York: February 2005); pp. 1-7.
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“Jesse I. Straus ‘Businessman for Roosevelt’ and Ambassador in Paris” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 14 No. 2 (New York: February 2013); pp. 8-9.
http://www.straushistoricalsociety.org/uploads/1/1/8/1/11810298/____nwsltr213.pdfBy 1920, with a wife and four sons to support, Nathan Jr. began thinking about public service. He ran for, and won, a seat in the New York State Legislature in 1920 and was reelected in 1922 and 1924. The Citizen's Union, a non-partisan organization, reported that Nathan Straus Jr. was the member with the best record on votes in either House.
Nathan Jr. inherited a 24 acre tract of land on the Boston Post Road in the Bronx following his parent's death. In 1934 he turned it into the country's first housing project, Hillside Homes. As a result of his involvement in this project, he became interested in housing. People in the United States knew little about modern housing techniques as practiced in many countries in Europe. He created a report for Mayor LaGuardia of New York on the housing practices in England. As a result of his interest and increasing expertise in this area, LaGuardia appointed him to the New York City Housing Authority. Nathan Jr. felt this experience prepared him for his later role as administrator of the United States Housing Authority in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration. He served with distinction from 1937 until February 1942.
]]>Nathan Straus Jr. (1889-1961) was the son of Nathan and Lina Gutherz Straus. He was not interested in going into the family's business of merchandising. He graduated from Princeton University in New Jersey in 1910 and, with his father's help, secured a position on the newspaper, New York Globe, where he learned everything from compositing to reporting. In 1913 he bought the periodical Puck, which he envisioned could become similar to today's New Yorker Magazine. Puck published articles about women's suffrage, financial and social assistance, and medical science.
By 1920, with a wife and four sons to support, Nathan Jr. began thinking about public service. He ran for, and won, a seat in the New York State Legislature in 1920 and was reelected in 1922 and 1924. The Citizen's Union, a non-partisan organization, reported that Nathan Straus Jr. was the member with the best record on votes in either House.
Nathan Jr. inherited a 24 acre tract of land on the Boston Post Road in the Bronx following his parent's death. In 1934 he turned it into the country's first housing project, Hillside Homes. As a result of his involvement in this project, he became interested in housing. People in the United States knew little about modern housing techniques as practiced in many countries in Europe. He created a report for Mayor LaGuardia of New York on the housing practices in England. As a result of his interest and increasing expertise in this area, LaGuardia appointed him to the New York City Housing Authority. Nathan Jr. felt this experience prepared him for his later role as administrator of the United States Housing Authority in Franklin Delano Roosevelt's administration. He served with distinction from 1937 until February 1942.
Links:
“Otto Frank and Nathan Straus, Jr.: Their Letters Discovered at New York’s YIVO” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 9 No. 1 (New York: August 2007); pp. 1-6.
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“For the Sake of the Children: The Letters between Otto Frank and Nathan Straus, Jr” Straus Historical Society Newsletter Vol. 14 No. 2 (New York: February 2013); p. 1.
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State Motto of New Your "Excelsior" - Ever Upward.
This constitution was framed by a convention which assembled at White Plains, July 10, 1776, and, after repeated adjournments and changes of location, terminated its labors at Kingston, Sunday evening, April 20, 1777, when the constitution was adopted, with but one dissenting vote, It was not submitted to the people for ratification.An early black and white photograph of the New York Public Library, before the famous lion statues were put in place. People and trolleys go back and forth.
The New York Public Library has a little bit of everything in its past and present, given that it’s the world’s second biggest library with over 50 million items inside. With its small origins in 1854, efforts by philanthropists such as Andrew Carnegie and James Lennox helped merge it into several libraries to form one building. Originally people had to pay admission to enter the library, until the governor of New York, Samuel J. Tilden bequeathed the remains of his fortune so that anyone could enter and look for books for free. This library has been of use to many, including the military, which used the extensive maps during the world wars. Today, it is a National Historic Landmark, and thanks to many renovations, includes special rooms for specific authors.
Rose Main Reading Room
A photograph of a portion of the interior of the New York Public Library in New York City, featuring the Rose Main Reading Room.
The New York Public Library, otherwise known as the Stephen A. Schwarzman Library, is the third largest library in North America, housing over 65 million items in its collection, consisting of 87 smaller libraries, and serving over 3.5 million people. The library is the most comprehensive library collection that has ever been brought together for the free use of the public. Organized into more than 100 major topics, the collections range from "Accents and Dialects" to "Baseball", "Computer Science", "Judaica", and "Theatre", with everything else in between. The library's strengths in three areas in particular is so great that major facilities have been built to house them: performing arts at the Lincoln Center, black culture in Harlem, and science, industry, and business in midtown Manhattan.
Phil Weinberg is Principal of Brooklyn's High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology (HSTAT), a large, non-specialized school with a student body of 1,300 that mirrors the community it serves: half Hispanic, 20 percent African-American, 70 percent from low-income families. Described by a colleague as "the definition of educational leadership at its best," Weinberg has turned down dozens of offers of positions elsewhere.
Weinberg sees his main task as "creating the conditions that allow teachers to do their best work and create classes where students can grow." To ease the transition to high school, freshman and sophomores are divided into four groups of 150 students, with their own teachers, four "schools within a school." The majority of the school's 200 special education students are integrated via Collaborative Team Teaching (CTT). Each teaching team consists of two teachers—one certified in the subject area, the other in special education. As one teacher noted, "In these classes, we work together so that everyone is helping everyone else."
Getting ready for college is the focus at HSTAT. The framework is established by a demanding academic curriculum that requires all students to carry a full load of the most rigorous courses they can handle. "If we determine you can take calculus, you take calculus," said Weinberg. Students begin to visit colleges as freshmen, their college essay is a major project in their junior year and all seniors turn in their college applications en masse to the schools' college counselors on a Friday late in November. Students traditionally attend school that day dressed in professional attire in celebration of this milestone. Said one senior, "No one can not go to college in this school."]]>2012 SLOAN Public Service Award Winner: Phil Weinberg (Principal, High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology, Department of Education)
Phil Weinberg is Principal of Brooklyn's High School of Telecommunication Arts and Technology (HSTAT), a large, non-specialized school with a student body of 1,300 that mirrors the community it serves: half Hispanic, 20 percent African-American, 70 percent from low-income families. Described by a colleague as "the definition of educational leadership at its best," Weinberg has turned down dozens of offers of positions elsewhere.
Weinberg sees his main task as "creating the conditions that allow teachers to do their best work and create classes where students can grow." To ease the transition to high school, freshman and sophomores are divided into four groups of 150 students, with their own teachers, four "schools within a school." The majority of the school's 200 special education students are integrated via Collaborative Team Teaching (CTT). Each teaching team consists of two teachers—one certified in the subject area, the other in special education. As one teacher noted, "In these classes, we work together so that everyone is helping everyone else."
Getting ready for college is the focus at HSTAT. The framework is established by a demanding academic curriculum that requires all students to carry a full load of the most rigorous courses they can handle. "If we determine you can take calculus, you take calculus," said Weinberg. Students begin to visit colleges as freshmen, their college essay is a major project in their junior year and all seniors turn in their college applications en masse to the schools' college counselors on a Friday late in November. Students traditionally attend school that day dressed in professional attire in celebration of this milestone. Said one senior, "No one can not go to college in this school."