Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Oscar S. Straus suggests that President Roosevelt write a letter asking Switzerland to either defer its Red Cross Convention, or to refer it to the second Hague Conference, as it is causing a conflict. He also suggests that Roosevelt recommend taking a more affirmative attitude on “Asiatic immigration,” which will have the practical effect concerning exclusion, but will have a better diplomatic and international affect.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1905-12-13

Secretary of Commerce and Labor Straus sends Attorney General Bonaparte an excerpt from the arguments of New Mexico Attorney General Albert B. Fall in the land fraud case there. Fall describes the disparaging attitude taken towards the officials overseeing land sales. In the current case, the Territory of New Mexico will finally be able to show the facts to the public and be vindicated in court. The specific details of the sale of the lands and whether the contracts will be voided are questions for the Territory of New Mexico alone to determine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-08-30

Oscar S. Straus gives an address at the University of Georgia tracing the development of religious liberty in the United States. Beginning with the founding of several American Colonies, including Georgia, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island, Straus examines how many of the colonies dealt with religious freedom, or lack thereof, and how as the United States has developed as a nation it has set forth the law that no religion or sect of religion is above any other, and that the laws apply to all equally.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1907-05-13

The business card of Oscar S. Straus with a note that hopes the recipient feels better.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12

Oscar S. Straus thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his letter and comments on the strange change of public opinion from thinking Roosevelt a radical president to now thinking him a conservative. Straus is sending a French translation of Roosevelt’s article on the Russian passport question, which appeared in the French-Jewish Monthly.

Comments and Context

The Russian passport question refers to Russia denying United States citizens of Jewish faith entry into Russia.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-11-16

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Oscar S. Straus received a letter from Theodore Roosevelt’s secretary with a letter about a translation of an editorial from the Jewish Morning Journal and a letter from Edwin M. Bliss. He explained Roosevelt’s arbitration proposal of the Russian passport issue to the editor of the Jewish Morning Journal. Bliss’ letter was one the same issue.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-27

Oscar S. Straus acknowledges the letter and enclosures Jacob Saphirstein sent him of an editorial from the Jewish Morning Journal regarding the Russian passport question and the endorsement by Straus of Theodore Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration of the passport question. Straus verifies his support of Roosevelt’s proposal and lists some of reasons for doing so. Straus invites Saphirstein to visit to discuss further details.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-24

Oscar S. Straus informs Theodore Roosevelt he received a letter from Jacob Saphirstein, the editor of the Jewish Morning Journal, containing an editorial responding to Roosevelt’s proposal for arbitration regarding the Russian passport question, which Straus consulted with Roosevelt regarding and fully endorsed. Straus has written back to Saphirstein and is enclosing a copy of his letter to Roosevelt. Straus feels more convinced than ever that arbitration is the way forward to arrive at a satisfactory solution.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Oscar S. Straus sends Theodore Roosevelt a copy of Roosevelt’s editorial with Straus’s notes. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-29

Oscar S. Straus accepts Theodore Roosevelts invitation to meet for lunch at The Outlook offices.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-23

Oscar S. Straus would like to meet with Theodore Roosevelt on any day convenient to him to discuss several matters.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-21

Oscar S. Straus argues about the unsuitability of “Hebrew” as a race on immigration forms, as it characterizes a person by their religion and not their nationality or country of origin.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-01

Oscar S. Straus heard Theodore Roosevelt’s tour was successful. The letter inviting him to accompany Roosevelt arrived too late, and seeing that he could not offer any help, he decided to continue his trip with his wife, Sarah L. Straus. While in the West Indies, they visited the Panama Canal, which is progressing nicely. Straus will call on Roosevelt at his office sometime.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-17

Oscar S. Straus has received Theodore Roosevelt’s letter, but thinks he cannot accompany him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-02-13

Oscar S. Straus thought Theodore Roosevelt was traveling alone and thus offered to travel with him. However, he learned that Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt and Ethel Roosevelt are accompanying him. Therefore, he feels his presence would only hinder the party.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-26

Oscar S. Straus appreciated Theodore Roosevelt’s speech at the Astor and sends Marshall’s paper on the American passport. He and his wife, Sarah L. Straus, soon leave for their month-long trip to Panama. Straus offers to accompany Roosevelt on his upcoming trips. Straus expresses his deep affection for Roosevelt as a private citizen: “if you were my own brother I could not love you more.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-24

Oscar S. Straus briefly tells Theodore Roosevelt about his recent experience speaking at the Peace Banquet. When he mentioned Roosevelt’s name, the assembled participants applauded. Straus regrets that he differs in opinion from Roosevelt regarding arbitration treaties, but felt that it “would have been false to [his] training under [Roosevelt] to have abandoned the position which [he] regarded as right.” Straus hopes to see Roosevelt soon, but has not come to see him yet out of respect for Roosevelt’s schedule.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-01-04

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-11-17

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1910-04-12

Creator(s)

Straus, Oscar S. (Oscar Solomon), 1850-1926

Recipient

Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919