OBITUARY

Evening Star, Issue 22462, 6 October 1936, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR CHARLES FRANCIS Through the death of Mr Charles Francis (private advice of which reached Dunedin yesterday) at New Jersey, United States, on August 28, printing trade workers throughout the country lost a stout champion. Mr Francis was a well-known printer in America, and controlled the Charles Francis Frees, New York. His death occurred in his eighty-ninth year, and as the doyen of American printers he held a record number of honorary trade associations throughout the United States, where he was recognised as a leader in the printing fraternity. Imbued with a strong sense of justice, he devoted his life to ameliorating the conditions of printing trade workers so far as lay in his power, and on retiring from business a few years ago he made over his successful New York business to certain of his employees. He was a prominent member of the International Typographical Union, and an honorary member of the International Printing Pressmen and Assistants’ Union of North America. _ In 1931, whilst on a “ goodwill mission ” to Baltimore, a slight accident developed seriously, Mr Francis having had to undergo subsequently amputation of a limb when in his eighty-third year. Despite this handicap, he continued his goodwill activities, and last year was instrumental in promoting an organisation having for its object “ the co-operation of all workers and employers in fair and honest dealing with one another.” He believed sincerely that, in view of the disturbing conditions prevalent in the world to-day, it was vitally necessary “ to stop spending money to destroy humanity, and take a different turn.” Mr Francis twice visited New Zealand, coming first from England via Australia, in the late fifties. He hast a business_ interest in an early Dunedin publication—the Otago Punch.’ _ After a year or more in early printing in Otago he went to the United Stamps. Accompanied by his daughter (Mrs L. F. Fitch), he revisited Dunedin in 1921 whilst under engagement to the United States Government to report on world labour conditions. He addressed several meetings of printing trade employees in Dunedin and in other parts of New Zealand on ‘ Helpful Co-operation,’ and was entertained here at a dinner by the printing trades presided over by the late Sir George Fenwick. MR JESSE ISIDOR STRAUSS Press Association—By Telegraph —Copyright NEW YORK, October 4. The death has occurred from pneumonia of Mr Jesse Isidor Strauss, the diplomat. He was 64 years of age. [Mr Jesse Isidor Strauss was born at New York in January, 1872. He studied at Harvard, where he took, the B.A. degree in 1893. His father and mother were drowned in the Titanic disaster in 1912. Mr Strauss joined, the dry goods firm of R. H. Macy and Co. He began at the bottom of the ladder, determined to learn all the details of the business, and by 1919 had become its president. He and his two brothers managed the great store, which employs 10,000 people. In search for novelties —new goods or new models—he travelled much in Europe, especially in Prance, Germany, England, and Spain. He spoke several languages. But buying and selling were not his sole preoccupation. He was a collector and also a politician. A strong Democrat, he supported Mr Roosevelt’s campaign for the Presidency by speeches and generous gifts to the party funds. During the banking crisis in the spring of 1933 he did his best to exert a calming influence. When all the banks closed, he inserted a notice in the newspapers which ran; “ I have confidence in my Government and in cur banks. Ido not expect the impossible. Never has it been possible for everyone to put all his money in his pockets or his safe. I know that, if I try, to obtain all my money, I shall make the situation worse. I shall not lose my head.” In March, 1933, he was appointed Ambassador to France. His retirement because of illhealth was announced a few weeks ago, Mr Strauss provided the funds for extensions at Harvard University, of whoso Board of Overseers he was a member. He also belonged to the Council on Foreign Relations, the Foreign Policy Association, and the American Academy of Political and Social Science. His business interests included directorships in the New York Life Insurance Co. and the North British and Mercantile Insurance Co. Ho was also a trustee of a savings bank and a hospital.] SIR PERGIVAL CLARKE (British Official Wireless.) RUGBY, October 5. (Received October 6, at noon.) Sir Percival Clarke, chairman of the London Sessions, died suddenly; aged 64.