MEMOIRS AND RELATED OBSERVATIONS BY
JACOB BRANDON
)
~- ) / A contents • • • • FIBREWORD Folio 1880 Day ,!:/awns Chapter 1 1 to 7 A New World Unfol!Js II 2 8 to 15 . ·') The coming of Menty II 3 16 & 17 ' Other Famil~ Connec tions II 4 18 to 20 Gathering Clou!Js II 5 21 to 23 1892-97 New tork II 6 2 4 & 25 1892-97 Panama II 7 26 to 31 Historical Foreshadowings " .8 32 to 34 A Short lnterluae II 9 35 to 36 Business Apprenticeship II 10 37 to 39 1897-99 Birds-eye View of Panama Business II 11 40 to 4 5 Events Often Uast their Sha!Jows ~efore them II 12 46-51 1902 Panama makes Politi .rv cal History II 13 52 to 60 , A Great Light Shone, then Shone No li,ore II 14 55 to 57 Business fe-adjustment II 15 58 to 60 Arri val of David Henry Jr, 11 16 61 to 66 and first marriages among Junith 1 s chilaren Isaac issues Official Report of David 1 s l!.state II 17 67 & 68 , Jack Works to Secure Footing in the USA II 18 69 to 73, Settling Down in the United Stat.es II 19 74 to 78, Back to Dudu1 s Home II 20 79 & 80 II 21 81 to 86 New Territories... A!J!!ed Vienna 1912 II 22 87 Back Home 1912-15 II 23 88 II tf1&£li~Yw~~t:t91! II ~~ ~~=9~ War & Inflation II 26 93-98 ) Ranical Changes 1916-17 II 27 99-103 Contents ( continuer'!)
1917-18 Family News Chapter 28 Folio 104-5 Armistice & Transition 29 106-ll Settlin:s Dovm in Cuba 30 112-116-B Cuba 31 119-123 fuiore karriage s 3 2 124-127 Scientific .l:'rogres3 in Three 3core Xears and Thirteen 33 128-131 Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow 34 132-135 Fuera lv1achal10, Arriba Batista 35 136-8 Hitler, 1/iephisto Incarnate 36 139-44 Social Service 37 147-164 Jack Shares Forum in Miami Beach i/i1 164-A-B-C-D Fortune favors its :J?avorite~ 38 165-9 The State of Israel at close of its 5-th year of Indepenrence 39 • 170-75 By Way of Soliloquy 40 176-80 Masonry 41 181
ADl!ENDA Beth Israel 0emetery . 182 Words Spoken at the Unveili~ of Steve Seyler 1 s Headstone 183 Golden Weddir{!;Anniversary 184-5 Photo Taken at tne festivities These lhings I Know,,. Poem by Jack 186 The Golden fears , , •• by Edward Scott in " Havana Post . 187 Havana Post Social .&:ditor 188 'New York Times Social Column regarding Carol and Rus3ell's Engagement 189
) FOREi/ORD
.Agreeable to suggestions wllicn have come to me from time to time, nave decided to prepare tnese Memoirs. ·)· I ~ _,; . I shall big;in in much the same manner as an artist would approach ~...C.~ llis canvas, endeavoring to~merge my ego as decorously as possible into tne word-portraits wllicll are intended to reflect all but the unrevealable things whicll concern an individual and his God. To this end, I shall write in the third person, startit:\!s cautiously, waiting for reassurit:\!s signals to come through from tne stroQ?;holds of Memory, As basic outlines become sufficiently defined, I shall nail with unmixed tenderness elusive images of distant years, These must perforce make way for others of the more recent Past; that is to say, for my contemporaries, those amorg whom I h~Ve lived and moved, sharit:\!s the spell of a comTuonera, Progressing further with my story, view-points will be :found to clasll, herai'ding the advent of a new generation rea:Jliy to stake its claims and assert its prerogatives, remindit:\!s me that thejinevitable hiatus is drawirg closer, and bidding me prepare a safe transference of my earthly activities, as far as this may be pertinent and feasible, to ttHB,e who shall have earned the rigllt to carry them forward to a fuller fruition. .) If for any reason I should be denied the privilege of concludirg; the Memoirs in the manner I have planned, or should I inadvertently fail . . I to do justice to any person or event, I crave the Readers indulgence, for ... my task is not like that of writing a novel whicn can be remolded to conform to the mood or imagery of the author, but purports to be a faithful presentation of actual happenings in cronological sqquence, and is therefore bundened with complex interplays whicll tend to crowd out one factor or another. I trust, at all events, that as far as these annals may go, they will serve a useful purpose in empllasizirg the ka.leidescopic nature of all lluman activitj, and especially so witb regard to the three generations of Brandons with which we shall be mainly concerned. A full life has taught me many things which in youth I would have relegated to the realm of pure extravaganza. Among these is the fact th~~!~ccess and failure, no matter how felicitous or disquieting tney may appear to be (excepting the accomplishments of inventfle genius in ) the realm of the Arts and Sciences), are transitory and fi~titious; that 2 each participant in Earth's faltering processional who wishes to rejoice in Life I s compensations must eventually choose between values which are imperishable and those which are perishable, foY only by such discri mination can the true measure O'.if success or failtr e be determined. The uninitiated world may only find it posible to render posthumous tribute to him or to her who has made the wise choice, in which case the ~,l.,,; Chooser will be remembered by the fruits of his or her decision. In this respect the Psalmist continually reminm us that imperishable values are those which contribute to universal spiritual enlightenment, the chalice from which a Divine Serenity pours forth its supreme blessings. The Header will find certain observations here and ther~ in these Memoirs with regard to religious dogma, or better said, dcgmatic religion. Dogma has always appeared to me to be soulless and artificial. I agree ri,r.s-r with my father, tnsja:e•1r nsl David Henry Brandon, in his opinion that Ralph Waldo Emerson broughtjto light a great truth when he interpreted I religion as a free and uninhibited expression of Man s 110versoul 11 seekills ;:: to ally itself with the Realities. Religion may also be expressed as an organizced effort on the part of huma:.ci1ty to cast off the dross of materialism and cleave to the spiritual ideal envisaged in Verse 27 of Chapter l of the Book oj Genesis, which I recommend to the attention of the Reader. Reasoning along these}ines I have come 'to the conclusion tnat any approach to ;!ileity wh:lmh sidetracks this singleness of purpose, discredits the motive of the petitioner anti invalidates his prayer.
To those near and far among whom I share my love and affection, and especially to her, my devoted wife, who has faithfully cllerished and -' ~ . ennobled my life and he, 1own by her loyalty, good-cheer,.and companionship, I dedicate these thoughts and this Valedicctory. /'J?"I..._
Havana, August the Fourth, ~~ l 9 5 ;. J. Brandon. 'Tc
i 1:. I Chapter l ' Day,,,o.. J)a.wns. ) While still in his teens Ile frequently searched among tile by-ways of his mind to uncover some faint recollection of his earliest cbildbood, but to no avail. This seemed to nim untortw nate. Re did not know exactly wily, but he resented tile fact that every c:IJ:rcmmstance concerned witn the first four years of his life was to be forever shrouded in an impenetrable black-out. Tilus it happened that his mother, Judith, became bis principal informant about such matters. Sbe told bim quite pridefully that he had been a sturdy, thoughtful child; that be had walked independently at nine months; that his greatest predilection after he was weaned had been for bis paternal grandmother, Esther Brandon, wbo lived with them; that he·was but one year old when Judith (affectionately called Dudu by ber family) and bis father Dave, took off on a voyage to u tbe United States on a belated honeymoon, visiting among other places;· Niagara, Pbiladelpbia {wbere :Bave was born) and MewYork; where De.vets brotners, Isaac and Nat, and Ilia only sister, Anita, lived. Tilus was (ack left as a mere infant in tile care of bis grandmother. Judith confessed tn~t .when they returnecl Jo 1,anama, be, lack, obsti- . · :~ ' nately refused to bave aeything to do witb them, clinging possessively
to his grandmotner. Ibis complication,. boirever,i ' ~as solved when Grandma announced tnat llet'eldest son, 18aac, h&C,,suggested in the interim that sbe go to New York and live with bis family, and that she bad agreed to do ao. After sbe left, lack did not see bis ' . grandmother again for about six years. ii'rom tile time be was about six years old Jack 1s memoryflnctioned well, storing up a world of impressions wnicll are atill with him. At abbut this time a friend of his father bad presented bim witb a diminutive poey from bis country estate; a reddisb little beast with a comfortable gait and kindly disposition. Judith looked askance at the gift, but Jack was aclept at learn1i:ig. to ride. His first attempt to allow bis prowess;· lowever, almost F j- rJj lVI ev.so "' .. 'Oc:J ' ' J ... ·, .,.. / __,: ;.,... , i /·.,:1.,.,.,..r.; 2 father 1 s store. A sudden impulse caused him to continue right on into the store. So insignifigant an obstacle as the sidewalk curb did not enter his mind, On they came, but the pocy was more circumspect and slowed up to make the little leap onto the narrow walk. One other little leap and there they were onto the shicy pavement of the store. ~uite a wild scrimmage followed as groups of clerks and customers sought safety in different directions, The pony had lost his foothold, his sbod hoofs shedding sparks as he bravely struggled to right himself. For some moments it lookedlike Jackie woulu be thrown, but be clung desperately to the pommel until \he pony found his feet again. fack never forgot the look of relief on his fa~her's face, and bure the reprimand that followed in mute remorse knwoing it was fully deserved. This was his f:lrrst contact with personal peml, and he rode timidly thereafter until instrmcted how a horse should bl given his head by relaxing the reins in such emergencies, so that Dobbin can use all hts resources to re-establish his equilibrium. It was at this time that Cupid let fiy his arrow for the first time at Jack's childish heart. The objectx of his affections was sweet, 0 little Anita Lindo, daughter of Alfred Lindo. Jack was in New York when she passed away a few years later, This marked his first experience with poignant sorrow, though distance from the scene shortened the period of his dejection, as W&(lnatural at his tender age. From his sixth year on Jack learned to love and admire ~is maternal grandmother, Esther Piaa Maduro, She was indeed the worthy matriach of a large and closely related family group, (The Reader is recommended to acquaint himself with Vida Guiterman 1 s fascinating story of the Piza clan, and the Family Tree that goes with it.) Mother Maduro was remarkable for her poise, her more than ordinary literary ii~-!fliiemts, !JC her pride and affection for all her people anai her deeply religious spirit, all of these qualities without prejudice to a quaint sense of humor genera+lY ending in a scarcely audible chuckle; her dutifulness to many charitable causes, and to cap the climax an unusual flare for busimss. It was his Grandma Maduro who taught Jack that considerate deportment is the distinguishirg badge of a gentleman and gentlewoman; it was she who insisted with ,im in his hours Of inaubordination, that chilnren should obey their parents even when their decisions appeared to the:ir ~inexperienced minds to be wrong. These teachings h~never unlearned. Esther Maduro was born in the Islam:; of st. T homas, then the Danish West Indies. She, with 3 her husband and family, emigrated to Panama in order to improve their economic status. Twice widowed, and with small resources, she nevertheless started a retail drygoods business and was soon providirg an ample living for her numerous dependents. She had eight living children, four sons and :f four daughters. The girls were Judi tb (1ack 1s mother), Hannah, ( who preferred to be called .Anna), Miriam, (who everyone called Mirry)and Lilla. The boys were, Samuel, (Sam) Joshua (Josh), Henry and Montefiore, (Monty). Later on, the boys entered the firm, known as Maduro 6 Hijos, one by one witlil tne exception of Monty, and under tlileir joint management it made a fine success. Monty, the youngest 1 attended a preparatory school in England, thereafter becoming a stuuent in New :.:ork at Columbia ;:,niversity 1 s College of Physicians and Surgeons. These dear people will be frequently in our annals from this time on. IluriQs these very early years Jack was a dailjy visitor at a tiny food-shbp near to his home, where dwelt two middle-aged native sisters named Modesta and ~elia Justiniani, They always had ready for Jack his favorite dish of .Arroz Con Cacao. His interest in this concoction has never faltered since that time, especially when p:repared with heavy coconut milk extracted from the copra itself. These two fond women called him "Jacobito" even when he grew to be a man. They helped him to improve his Spanish and to use the provincialisms of the country,which II •, despite many capitulations to changing times and mores, have lingered in his mind, identified with this perio~ of dawning boyhood. When Jack first started to do some thinking on his own, he began to realize bis growing devotion to his parents. Up to this time he had taken them more or less for granted; but nOi'i'they were the very core of bis well-being and happiness. JJa.vid and Judith now had four cbilaren, Jack being nearly seven years old. After f ack bad come Esther Ethel, (always known as Ethel), then Solomon (wbo ever;wone called Solly,), named after his maternal grandfather, and lastly Gladys, always the petite and beautiful member of the family. Al though all were born in Panama, they were granted what was known as deriv~d American citizenship, by virtue of having been registered at birth at the American Consulate, fdll a privileged reserved exclusively ~ chilldrdn of born Americans. Throughout his lifetime David looked upon his American birthright as one of his most cherished possessions, and impressed this fact upon bis children at every propitious opportunity. • (,; ----· " -,,,,j .!' " '' -iw IJ 4 Judged from almost any angle, David Henry Brandon was a great and noble soul. li'hJ · J3Y fk was 5-ft. 10,1/2 inches tall, well-knit; his complexion was fair, hi. s dark_, wavy",hair brushed y,ell back from a i/lJ Ctti,v,,l,;;l,11,tl(fJ •i,.,.i .fvw,,, 1;~ '/ ;-«."'W,,,-,,_/ bigb, broad forebead. ,j His nose was fairly prominent but unsemitic.,.am his ears large. Tbe glance of hi~ large, clear,grey eyes wben turned full upon one had a vitalizitg effect, the reflection ot' his own spirited personality, and good nature and an engagitg candor distinguished him tnroughout his life, In his business relations his demeanor was kindly, generous, observant and self-reliant. He abhored hypocrisy, pretense or an;ything that savored of a lie. His reaction against these was really devastative. On tbejotner hand, no man was ever more responsive tban he to frankness and sincerity, Beloved as he was for his compassionate attitude towards tbose less fortuna~ than himself, one found among his associates clergymen of several denomina tions, diplomat .. , merchants, professional men, soldier.s, workmen, laborers, medicos, an!lillast but not least, an army of French nuns, doirg_; nllTsing, catering and administrati~a;at the Hospitals mintained by the French ~anal r Company, One could always find people from many walks oc life droppitg in to speak a whil.e witl:Ji Da.viw at his office, to consult about busim ss or private matters, either to do or receive a service. Hundreds brought him their savings to keep on deposit subject to call, for there were as yet no official ba.llllksin Pam ma. As a parent j;avid was inclined to expect too mucb of his own children, He was often stern, even to severity, especially where disobedience and prevarication were concerned, but he was quick to reient and to acknow ledge errors of his own, even to a child, with tears wellitg in his eyes should he have meted out punishment unjustly, Jack loved him dearly, seeitg in his father all that he himi.elf hoped to become, recognizing a certain sublimity of character Which no om else he knew, or has since known. has seemed to possess. Judith must also have found this quality in her man, for she adored him beyond her own power to express, She bore him in all thirteen chiluren within the space of about twm1ty-five year,;, all livitg to adult life except one, 11 ttle Joyce, wtlo die. d of meningitis brought on by an intestinal infection when sbe was about tbree years old • .])avid spoke and sang( in a well-modulated baritone, bis voice possessing a wins om'fllhuskiness which only hi,; daughter Gladys and his ,;,.~tit 1, great-grandson Grant Brancton, were destined to inherit. An impressive speaker in public, this strange quality in flavid 1 s voice added to ~ 11ivf1ti1-;,vi,. 5 appeal. Jack will never forget tile joy-filled evenings in Panama, wben Ilia Dad, returning from work, went to bis bedroom looking out upon tile non.- \ descript Garden, stripped llimself of tile low, stiff detacbable collar and ' tile narrow, straigbt,black bow-tie be affected bis wbole lite long, bauleU oft Ilia Ro111eostyle sboes, put on bis carpet-bag slippers and called JQI sucll of tne cllildren as happened to be near to sit beside bim while be sang "Annie ~aurie", "Auld Lang Syne 11, 110 Wert Tbou in the Sauld Blast On Yonder Lea", of' if not these, some cbaracteristic American Civil War ditties accor ding to bis mood; until tile swiftly vanisbipg twiligbt of the tropics and tbe sound of the little dinner bell reminded them all that it was bed-time tor the smaller ones. :By now the servants bad lit the sbapely kerosine lamps tbrougbout the house, and as there were no telepboiies in tbose days to disturb tile peace, perfect serenity reigned. Jack retains almost no recollections or school in Panama in these ..--~ dawning years, but assu.111EB;that be must nave been taught in tbe chanting style tllat was customary in Panama at tile time ,bow to recite tbe alphabet and count,perllaps even now to spell and a~ letter words and numbers ~P to ten. ) When Ile was about seven.-and-a-balf, a decision was arrived at by lilavid I and-his brothers which altered tne Wbole oourse or this family 1s life. '" They were soon to itrrade a new world; and a new world wa_sto iJ1Tade tbeir peace and contentment to an extent impossiblex to appraise until long after. As Jack bad it explain~d to nim probably years~. the business in Panama was flourishing greatly. ~vid bad two capable assistants. One was llr • .Alexander Morrice and the otber llr. Eustace Corinaldi. Tllese men bad been trained witll a view zo relieve David as joint executives, so tbat be might join bis brothers in New York. The time bad now come, and it was understood tnat tile brothers would alternate in visiti:qg Panama at regular intervals for consultation and checking up tile progress bei:t:8 made. In tllis way Jlavid would be available for tile New York bus118JSS also, and at the same time Ile would enjoy the same advantage as tne otbers •itb respect to giving bis grow1ng family tile bem~ .. of an American education without having to separate tile cbillll:ren from "bllleparents. It is well t.o recall at tbis time tbat tile Panama busimss bad been ) estahlished originally by Isaac. David bad kept up bis ache~ Pbila delpllia, and Nat bad been sent to Germany to acquire a so-called "continental business background". Tile business had been a success from its inception. 6 When Isaac left it in ~avid 1s care to establish a New York Office, it had been confined to selling well-advertised brands o~';L~~ and European ) wines; liquors, canned goods, cheeses, condensed milk,~butter, soap, beers, ales, stouts, and also barbed wire; nails, buck shot, etc etc., all at wbolosale, and in unbroken barrels, kegs, crates and cases; But soon David increased tile scope of operations. He began exporting tile raw produce of the country to tile United States, such as crude rubber, mabogany, cedar; cocobo10;' ivory nuts; bides, deerskins; next be turned to tile pm-chase and re-sale of foreign excbange. Incredible as i~ may seem, little by little be was obztaining control of a substantial percen tage of tile local silver Colombian coin in circulation on the fstbmus. de accomplisbed this by securing tile unqualified support of tbe largest· importers, mercllants;' pbarmcist41, grocers, cattle-mercbants, government contractors;'· and so fortb, througtlout the country-. Tllese people bad in most cases to convert a large part of tneir local currency into :atropean and American excllange to be remitted to tneir supplieriii abroad, and had " ,, habitually to co,ntelUil.with an apparerllt scarcity of foreign drafts unless tbey came tbrou,gb with an unduly- high premium for same. ~avid.,, had promised tbem, and be kept his ward, to stabilize the rates witb a moderate margin for llis own firm;' provided their support was faz.-tbcoming. In tbis work Isaac was most helpful for be made personal visits to frubling & Goscn;;;44'.. C A and Credit Lyonnais in Paris, botn of wnomprovided revolving credits for tile Panama fira. ~vid was now in an ideal position to undertake tbe next important move. He offered tile Cie. Francaise du ~anal de Panama in Paris to supply their l'ana.ma offices with all tile local ·silver they might need for pey-roll and otber purposes at a fixed rate agaimt sight drafts on Paris du~ accepted by Canal Autbcrr:ltl;iea. Tile two European bankers above referred to agreed to negaltiate these acceptances for isaac Brandon & !t'otbers Of Panama, and place Sterling, Francs, Lire, etc at their disposal. Tbe Ganal Oompaey accepted tbe proposal, and as these operations were to a great extent routine in character; tile three brothers felt that :avid should. not be called upon any longer to bear the whole sacrifice of living in Panama. Some time before Isaac bad recalled Nat frum Germaey and be was now ' ..,~ ... ) in charge of correspondence, personnel, aa'l pur 0 bases and sales of American goods for a growing clientelle tbrongbout Oentral and South .America. I 1 Isaac bad bis bands full witn financial problemns and conducted tbe private correspondence witn Panaua under considerable difficulties because iiat tnat time tbere was only one sailir:g a week from Hew York to Panaua. ! Most of tbe business was conducted by meam of coded cablegrams, and toe codir:g, usirg publistled codes and extensive private codes as well, was a job in itself. So ~vid was badly needed to reliere tbe congestion in lewTork, and more especially to take from J•aatpssboulders mucb of tbe ;ork ...~ . concerned witb tbe Panaua House, witn whicb be-., tar mare familiar tl:lan toe others. We will conclude tbia chapter witb a reminuer to our readers tbat tbe French ~anal Company bad been orgaruz;ed in 1880 ( tne year: ~aek was born), around tl:le internationally cel:ebrated figure ot ll'erdinand de fesseps, Whose engineering genius bad made possible tbe builditg or tbe $anal at Suez • . , t While tbe Frsncb Government was said not m:tQl be officially connected with tbe Panaua enterprise, it was universally believed tbat tbe Company had tbe unlimited backir:g of ~hs(Governmnt inasmUllb as tbe project bad an immense \ stra3egic signifiganee, for at completion tne Frencn would control tbe I · sbortest route between toe A~la~t;I.~ and liacific. OOIJ&IIS~t sea-level, ~ ~ ...J c,toot1oM•e&t fMJ,,.lcft, enabling them to maintai:i:, 51'! 1 1 11'3 a:zwnotEG.lf in l>otb hemispheres. Let it be also remembered that tne Colombian Government_, cf wnicb Panama was at tne time a mere Province, bad awarded to the :,rencb Gana.1 Company the exclusiv~ franchise to build the Canal. ' 8 Chapter 2 A New World Unfolds. one day late in June in the year 1887, David tenry Brandon, his ) / wife Judith and their four children accompanied by a c~lored ~amaican nurse named Elizabeth, set sail f'rom backward 11 ttle Panama bound for that mighty American metropolis known as New York City. In those days the voyage required from five to six days, the steamers beizw small and slow as compared with the leviathans of the present day. The seas on this occasion were mighty rough and the party suffered from severe sea-sickmss, particularly so the nurse Elizabeth who bad been brougnt along to belp with the children, but; as it happened, required mare attention than her charges. 1wo humn figures remain well etched in Jack's memory of this crossiJQg; one that of the stewardess, known as Mother Christmas, and the other, that of the Chief Steward, Mr •. ragley, wtlO at the taptain 1s command gave unrellittirg attentiOl:Bl to the comfort of these passenger~, inasmuch as the firm of Isaac Brandon & Jrother$ was a heavy shipper& by the Line. Jack travelled by this same boat on many occasiom, and these jolly and kind-hearted stewards were on each trip delegated to see to him. d4, ) . The Landirg i?a,y came none too soon far all concerned. As the \drew 1 alo?8side tile pier. David and Dudu espied Nat wait1?8 to receiv:e them, &!tN"o Isaac soon appearirg also. While affectionate greetings were~exchanged, Jack beard Nat "jollying" Du_dubJr inquiring bow it was that her pickaninnies bad come out so dark, (obviously referring to the deep tan the children had acquired from tbe tropical sun of Panama). Dudu laughed guilessly,under- standing the harmless quips lat was noted for. Jack, on tha other band, took silent unbrage, and it was some time befare be too became acquainted I l,f4t«,r1~ •f' with this uncle~a ways, aeltaewledgitig bis untailii:g devotion to each all1i ~ ~ every one in tile family. Isaac and ~at took tbem to the Park Avenue Hotel, then situated at 33rd st. & Park Ave. (now the site or an immense skyscraper~ Here they remained about a week. Isaac lost no time in locatirg a very modern house for tllem at 7 East 77th st; just off l!'iftb Ave., only five blocks north or mere Isaac 1s home was located at 39 East 72nd st; • Before that S3Ummerhad passed, Dudu presented Davia wi tb another ·, lusty son, whom tblili'9'naaed Gerald. The ew-ent occurred in Englewood, N•. J. ) where tlley were spenal!iig what remained of tbe summer in a cottage close by one in Which Isaac 1s family was vacationing. Gerald was born on August 23rd, 1887; tairslcinned like bis father, and at all times the most robust 9 of bis cbildren. In due course we sball apply ourselves to tne task of delineatiig tbe varying cbaracteristics of iDavi~ and Dudu1 s cbilnren, but ), at this point we stie.11 uak:e an e:z:cepti~n with regard to .eraldi for tbis boy unquestionably captured bis fatber'As beart and fired bis i111agination from an early age. D!l.vid often said tbat Gerald was vezy,, like to what he bi111Self had been as a youngster, and tbat his independent spirit and venturesome disposition were bound to make bim an outstaniiirg man in the future. In fact, Ile bad made great plans far Gerald Wbile the boy was {'f"iW. in bis early teens, but circumstances beyond David,is control, made it impossible to carry tbese plans to fruition. Returnixg to the two families in Englewood at the time, Jack became very much attacbed to bis coUJ1Sins, Irena and Vivian, both a little older than himself, and these ties were destined to grow stronger duriig the ensuing years. lie also greatly admire.d Isaac's two older girls, Blancbe and Lillian, and felt a great pity for tbe older boy, Jacob, Wbo lacked the pbysical and mental stability of' the others. Blanct1e was really an angelic,,sort of a person. She was small, with fea•ures unusually regular and beautiful and a refinemant one sees chi'efly ) in Grecian statuary. She was exceedi:ogly fair, with clear, blue eyes, and she was mild and soft-spoken. Sbe became tbe bride of Josh Maduro, Dudu! s second oldest brotner shortly after tllis, but their idyll was abort lived for Blanche died in cbildbirtb witbin tile year and Iler baby was burried in the coffin with her. Jack attended tile funeral and saw ttlem in tbeir last sleep, but be was not dismayed for tney appeared to bim as though really sJ)eepiig, peaceful beyond anything be bad seen before. Withal a deep impression was made upo~'•zmJt4 1 for tllis was bis first sight of wbat everyon, meant when they "death•. Josh Maduro was "best-man" at Jack 1s weddiig in Bradford, Penn., seventeen years later. It was noticed bow fiiJ~ Ile gazed upon tbe bride, father Steinberger, until be explaim d tllat tllis was because Iler eyes, Iler complexion and l:ler 'daintiness reminded him so greatly of !!ll vanisbed bride. Josb did not marry again until about tw•ty years after Blanche- 1s deatll, and bis second wife also was the possessor of blue eyes 11 ,I,! and a very fair complexion; ber name was &telle ~lvalle, bis own cousin. ) Lillian was quite a different type from her two sisters. lrunette~ taller than th;others;' gay and spirited in manner, witb naslling brown eyes, she carried Iler bead like one born to be a queen. UoreOTer, she was already an accomplisbed elocutionist, equal in dramatic temperament 10 to many of tile best oont,emporary- actresses, but in tbose days tbe stage was , deemed an unwortby career for a well-brougnt-up yourg lady, and Lils con- )timd ber recitations to parlour and amateur occasions. Blancl:le, on the otber band, was a talented pianistemx, and her instructor, a Ur. Von Inton, was tile same wbo lll8.lly years later taught Estber, Jack•s wife, while sbe was a student at tile Madison Scbool for 11rls in New York. About two years after l3l.ancne!s death, Lillian married Sam Maduro, Dudu1s oldest brotner, bead of tile firm of Maduro 6 H1Jos of Panama~ and a few years later tl:lis couple w1oixiwxJtr4 became the inseparable companions of David and Dudu. :From this time on, cousin Lila, as Dudu1s children bad called her,became Aunt Lils, tor their Uncle ~am bad requested tbat she be so called by tbem. on tile other band, Lils always continued to call Dave her Uncle ._ve, and Dudu, Iler Aunt Duds, inasmuch as Dave was her tatller*s brother. " Jact and bis sister Ethel were pages at the weddirg procession, boldin?; the bride's train. Botb were appropriately dressed for tne occasion.. Tbe weddirg was neld at Isaacis beautiiUl bome in 72nd st., tne ball, parlour and dining-room, all very spacioua, llavi:rg been artistically decorated by the then famous norist; Stumpp, wno Isaac swore by. It was Jack and . t . Etbelis first inside view or a wedding, and a joyful occasion it was, for tnis was indeed a love-match, one from Wbicb bappiness continued to flow, blessing others as well as tile couple tbemselves, as will become evident as these annals progress. Jack and Etbel also en.joyed the fancy delicacies wnicb Delmonioo's served, as well as tne tiny first glassful of champagne which the~ were permitted to drink. The coupla spent their bone1moon in Europe and tnen proceeded to Panam to live. Shortly before tb.i.111Nat bad married Ettie Honigman, a lligll],'jf educated lady (also an elocutionist) from a well-to-do German ~ewisb family. Her brotbers, Isidore and Larry, were members of the atook Exoba.nge in !ew Yor~· Isidore bad fallen deeply in love with Lillian, but bis suit fail~d to prosper a.f'ter Sam Maduro appeared on tne scene. Nevertbel•ss ,sidore, true to his sincere and chivalrous nature, retained his affection and admiration for Isaac and his family, but be never married. Nat and Ettie bad tour children; Olga, Julian, Blanca and Gwendolyn. Olga, quite a tom-b•:r, but true a.s gold, Slil.11'much of jerald and Gladys at this period, Gerald keepirg tne frieMsbip green duri:rg many years. All tile obildren of this family married and were divorced; all but Olga married a second time I m Olga, be1r:g childless, devoted Iler lite after ll her mother's death to her father anct the Honigman family. Nat•s family had never identified itself with a Sewish Temple or Synagogue, preferril:8 to become membera of the Ethical Culture Society which had been recently established by Dr. jelix Adler and his associate Dr. Elliott. Jack I ~ attended m.anca~s wedding ceremony at their house, conducted by Dr. Elliott, and remained deeply impressed with its alii!!;,lam~ beauty-and sincerity. Nevertheless, the marriage did not last. With the exception of Olga~!}~ Jacl !'f:xv saw. or .h~~d from the children of ~at and Ettie, so that the• lnl/ ~,,,.,,,,.. ~- others will 1J.~ appear in th•se memoirs. Toward the end of ~arch 1888, New !ork was struck by the greatest blizzard in its history. Jack recalls it as a rather fearsome event, memorable though it was in many otner respects. As be and bis parents,au brother• and sister~azed upon the scene out of the living room windows-at 77th St., it seem,d as though the snow would never cease to fall; that there would be no way out of that desert of mounting whiteness. AfteB the first day or two, the City Authorities did not attempt to cope with toe traffic problemna which had arisen; transportation simply ceased ST:• p ,P.lf.J) al together. Little by little the trades-people also r ttr d A 1 111aking wagon deliveries; soon no living soul remained on the streets, for the drifts grew in numbers and height, and were daunting to the bra.vest. :But the skies did eventually clear, as they always do, and the sun took possession once more. That same day about noon, David saw his brother Isaac slowly trudging waist-deep in the center of the stree~ermined 1 1 7; to make his goal. This was to brizg som extra cans of food-stuffs to tne family, surmising that with so many mouths to feed they would be running abort. favid opened the front docr and arduously started sbh'elling thr ougb the high-piled·- drift to make a passage tnrough wnicb Isaac could pass; Tllstook a while, but was aocomplsibed. Isaac lokked pretty worn, but bis eyes were brllght witb satisfaction,,.,,~.,. and pleasure to see tbat all were well, a~ said all bia I pilie were also. He was warmed up with a ~ plate of"soup and after a good rest braved the return Journey to bis_ home; it being understood that the two families would keep in close touch from tbat time on until the streets were sufficiently oleared to pel'llitt the men folks to go down to business. It must be remembered tbat there were then no_ bouse telephones, no trolley oars, and. no automobiles. Transportation was confined to horse-driven cars on rails - j J I ~ A1• ' . - ' and sling ••: t 3t a.:01mws elevated,1 cars drawn by ste~m 1Jtooaot1ns~ -"-17?{~ ~ dray. :;..;i ~":?6~ P'--,P,,~. ,.__ . . 12 Tbe so-called borse-cars ran on the cross-town routes as well as al~i:ig all \be avenues with the exception of first, fourth and fiftb. Two spans of ~orses were gemrally needed to make tbe sharper bills, particularly in showy or very slippery weather, the first span beir:g detatched when tbe higb spot had been passed. Later on, cars run by means of an underground cable supplanted some of the horse-cars, but these were not a success beirg jerky and deficient in speed control, especially when startir:g from a full-sjop~ After a comparatively snort time they were discontinued to be succeeded by underground electric trolleys. These were in the ascendant for many years until the more economical and nexible Bus Lines gradually put them out of existence. While on tne subje,c\ of public improvements, the Reader should be reminded that up to the early days of the horse-cars, electric lightir:g bad not been invented. The streets anal homes were lighted with gas-lamps. Por quite a time the public went in for the lellsbacb ~antel system which steadied and Whitened the illumination. The first electric ligbts were probably the Arc-Lights, produced by passii:ig a st.eady now of current through ,. ~posi tely placed carbon pencils. The spark was noisy but exaremely white and ' · }illiant, serTir:g well for outdoor purposes cbiefiy, suctl as arenas, skatii:ig ponds and rinks, and busy traffic junctions. When the incomparable Edison bulb appeared, all other lightir:g systems practically went by the kac• boar~ Early in 1899 Dudu was expectir:g another baby. Tbe house in 77th st. would soon be too small for comfort, so the family moved to 117 East 72nd st. Just a short block east of Isaac's home. As soon as they were installed, Grandma Brandon asked to move in witb Dudu, for Sarah, Isaac 1s wife,· bad not been too well. Her son Vivian bad developed a heart murmur of an acute nature requiring that be be kept under constant surveillance. Pai.- a whole year or more be was not pemrdtted to attend school. His exercise was limited to one or two short walks per day which be generally took witb Jack, both relaxing for a couple cf hours around the Little :Lake near the :last entrance of lentral Park at 72nd st., where they watched the youngsters sail their boats. Isaac bad a beautiful pair of bay horses at this ttllle, and Jack often accompanied Viv and the family in drives in ttle famous "tea-cart", an open · >rn-out wittl three llUJI seats one behind the other, each btlldir:g two perso• .,Jis was Isaac's favorite rig, except in snOll'y weather when a sleigh was used. Isaac was a splendid driver, and on weelc-ends did all tile drivirg • . .,~ 1:, After Stanley was born everil";ettled down into a normal. routine I' for some time. ~avid bad his hands full witb business matters. His ·' 1office hours were long, often inciiludi:rg Sunday morni:rgs. Moreover tbe · )tra~elling to and from from :,5 Bro•dway was exceedingly tiring. Gone forever were tne evening nours such as ~vid spent with bis children when in ~anama. Tbis fact drew ~ack and bis Grandmother very much to eacb otner, for she lcrred to recount to him tales of the physical prowess of bis grandf'atber, Jacob, also known in bis day as Jack Brandon, who bad passed away before little Jack was born. Accordi:rg to her oft-repeated story, be broke a blood vessel in bis chest when deaonstrati:rg once too often bow be could lift a keg of' sugar into the air by inserti:rg an attached flange between his powerful jaws. His grandfather was said to be the strongest man in Panama, as well as the best natured-, but be evidean.tly was not successful in bis business ventures. He was born in London. She was born in Kingston, Jamaica, ber family name bei:rg Atlas Robles, of Portugese-il'ewisb extraction. It seems tbat Jacoo bad gone with his older brother Nathaniel from London to ~amaica. Both married there, andjt;nere also Isaac was born. rathaniel had three legitimate cbil:dlren, Hannah, ,(who was a spinster), Isaacs. Brandon, wbo witb bis wife and Jla11gbter lris ' continued to live in Jamaica until be was killed in bis office at tile time of the terrible earthquake in Kigg!',\on,. ~nd Constance ( C,onnie), wbo married &nie1 '!¥• /16f,I '(. '7w'o47nw t rr ttt:lf. a lilr.,,_l!i'[Ottaand bad u ....m "h family. li!r. Motta was also killed the same day as his brother-in-law Isaacs. Brandon in tile earthquake. ~atbaniel also bad an illegitimate son and daughter in Kingston, wboJtprogeny were both numerous and fine,and wno in tbe second generation were bigbl,Ju respected 'trtbe community of Kingston. Aftes a time Jacob and ~stner Brandon witb their son Isaac mOTedto Pbiladelpbia where Hannah, (later Anita Piza) #,avid Henry and !at were bor~ Wben Isaac was full grown be decided to m~:;J!lljtL.mawbere bis une1e ffatbaniel w4s already we11 established and;...reported to own co11Siderable property. But first be returned to famica and married Sarab Sollas~ Their early days in Panama were hard and tlleir economies terrific. Little tack was told by bis Aunt Sarah tnat just after Iler marriage Isaac bad to •over wooden cases witb printed materials to take tile place of tables and \ 1 bed-room furniture. :But when bis business got goi:rg stro:rg, as it did I pretty soon~ Isaac sent David to school in Philadelphia aml later Bat to !' ,' Germany tor his education, taki~ tbem botb in as partners wllen tb,were 14 duly ]ill:'epared for busintess life~ Little lack was also inform d by either his Grandmother Brandon or by his Aunt iarah that one of tbe secrets of ~ Isaacls quick success in Panama was due to his intimate friendsbip witb Colonel J. R. Sbaler, tben &eneral Superintendent of tbe Panama Railroad & Steamship Compa~; wbose headl(ll&l'tera were in Colon. Colonel Shaler favored Isaac by protectir:g him as to freight space in the Compaey1s ste••ers when this. space was in short supply and at a high premium, for in tbose days freight space was a commodity which en,1oyed varying rates dependent upon the amount of tonnage the shipper had to offer. Thus lsaac at- . was able to speed the arrival of his imports ..i lowest rates, and with tbis advantage over uaey of his competitars it did not take, him lor:g to get squarely upon his fee'G in busimss. Colonel. Shale~ later frienasbip with iDe.Tid was equally stror:g, and ~ack met him several times in these years;· say,up, to the time Jack was sixteen years old. lly then 'ltbe Colonel. was quite an elderly uan, ~ut still the same tall, slim, erect soldier tbat be er~er was, witb a tbin face, copious wbite moustactae and goattee, matching bis white ba:lr. His was an imposiIJg voice and personality, whose imperious manner caused maey to avoid him; 1 but all the Brandons bad found a way to bis heart, Whicb was warm and kindly despite bis stern exterior. tRevertir:g to Grandmother Brandon, she receiv.ed several visits from a nephew, one Mr. Efla, who had been an officer in the Union .Army durills the Civil War. ffe had lost a leg in a terrible battle. Tbougb he was inclined to silence about his experie noes. Jack warmed outt or him several episodes of terror and carnage, whicb were never erased from bis mind; settiIJg bim forever against the career of a soldier. Jack never learned what became of Mr. Ena, far amid the mountil:ijJ problemns of tile ensuir:g years he seemed to disappear into the void~ About tbila time the City of "ew York was vis:lte d by several ma Qt ls epideaics of cbildren 1s diseases. Jack and ~erald first fell victims to diptheria, which Judith caught from them. She was desperately ill, and for a time ber life seemed to bang in tb~bal.ance. Javid bad left just a abort time before for Panama on an argent errand of consultation. Isaac never allowed a day to pass witbout looll:ills in ttu:ough the doar ti tbe patients and comfortixg Judith. He likewia;e saw the physicians whenever ) they got together, for upon their opinion depended wbet11er be would recall 1 iDavid or not. In the meantime Grandma moved be.ck to Isaac~s ho1u1e to " Ji5 escape tile contagion. Thank God, tile tllree patients got well. A fe• weeks af'tcer tbeir recuperation was assured, Ethel came down 'Witb scarlet fner. Jack follOJred. Tn1s was tile most d&11,gerous sickness of all, and private.nurses were again around tile nouse for several weeks. Apart from tile speciaiists wllo were called, Jack bas gra.teflll me11ories of tlleir family doctor; st. Clair Smitb, a prototype of bis majesty, ~anta Clauf\ witn bis abort, rotund body, jolly red face and tbiok wllite bair and mous taclle. He was a dyed-in-tile-wool bomeopatb, bu:t bis attentuated medecines answered tile purpose , and tbat was enough. As can be imagim/.: Du.du was entirely exnausted over tbese series of 111:nasses, but it was sbe wbo insisted witl!I. Isaac tnat ±iaviu. be not recalled, far- sbe feared tnat be migbt ,1 tben nave to leave Iler again. We nave omitted to mell!t1on:t:x:tu:t tbat since tbeir arrival. in New ~ York, Jack bad been attending a public scbool on 68tb st. and ~exixgton Ave. His recard tb'6l'e was an unllappy one. Tbe first year Ile was tile butt of'fahiiiGBt'8cause o:r lli,s J'amaica.n accent., llis nurses in Panama llavixg · been mostly lramaioans. Tllis made llim mt11:ose and pugnacious, and complaints had reacbed home tllat be was a.J.way.s looki~ for a figbt. Unlla.ppy as ne was, be neglected bis studies and asked tllat bis scbool be changed. l)av1d decided tbat a milit&ll:'1 scbool was tile place for lack at tllis tim, and Ile was sent. tile following term to Dr. li'owler8s Oolambia. Institute on 42nd St and Sixth AVelllle. i)avid took Jack tbere tile f:lr st morni!g on bis way downtown, allowing him bow to taloil, tbe llorse~car at '4at11son Ave and transfer at forty-second St. for ~Ile crosstown. Jack was very scared tbe next day when be went alone, but llad been informed tbat be could always approa.cb a policeman to set bi111Se'.1Lf'atraigbt, if neededi Be arrived alrigbt at •• tbe scboo1;· and from tlllen on;• felt quite manly a.mi on bis own. webad iT'vS"f" . t ~-of.i:,~ 1 14• e;1 •r stepped out from bebind bis motberhs ~fl!!!lae. . 16 Chapter 3 The comi?lg of Monty. Grandma Brandon had now returned to her quarters with ~avid and Dudu, and all seemed to progress quite normally again. Alo?lg about this t;.me Gran4 Maduro1 s youngest child, Montefiore, or Monty as everyone called nim, who nad been at Eton in England taking a preparatory course before entering Columbia's School of Medecine tnen at 42nd St. in New York, known as "P. &: s. ", ( College of Pnysicians and surgeons), after visiti~ a snort time witn his folks in Panama joined Isaacis family in New York. Monty was about eighteen and a half years of age at this time, but in poise and stature he already qualified as a man. He was not far from the 6-feet he ultimately attained, with shapely limbs and shoulders. His features were chiseled like those of a Greek statue except for a rather full& mouth, displaying when he smiled 1 frequent1y as was his habit, a perfect set of white teeth~ His complexion was fair and ruddy, but his eyes were dark and penetrating, and his hair wavy and black. His nature was warm and kind; he was ever ready to do a good turn to those be thought ) deserved it. Still youug enough to understand the vagaries of' a teen-ager, he sympathized with the confidences of his nephew lack and set him right regarding many matters f.or which be na/b,.feen able to fiJld a satisfactory explanation. To demonstrate bow thorough a pal Monty could be, suffice it to say that on one occasion be Joined Jack in a setto with a gang of hoodlums which periodically bounded the.' neighborhood II to take it out /If on the "wops and tbe sheenies" who lived there. Monty took on two of the huskiest, one after the other, and like lightning knocked them both nat on their backs. The rest, with one of which Jack bad been engaged without having yet arr:llved at a decision, retreated in disorder and never again attempted a come-back on this block. Jack was amazed at Monty1s prowess,oecially at bis impertirability durirg and after the mele'e; Yeag.J.~eiaw bis brother ~erald in one such melJe in Panama, and noted that be too possessed the same sangfroid. Evidently there was a streak of this not only in the Brandon, but also in tne ~duro blood. At last Jack was happy. Here, available to him whenever be was in a quandary, was a chap wbo never snubbed him when bi:s opinions differed; and wbo morE10Rerwas always able to give him a band with his mathematics, or arzy-other darned thing that he seemed unable to master. Everyone 17 at boae noticed wwtt••i a marked cbange tor the better in Jack 1s alertness and con!Olrlllity after Monty came, and as d ,matter of tact, tbis chamzem deeper went tba-.(appeared on tbe surface, causil:8 him to remain grateful to Monty tor /tbe rest of bis lite. Two otber people in tbe family benetitted equally_ from Monty•s presence among tbem. One was Sarall, Isaac~s wife, wbo had become a sufferer from frequent byferia. Monty could always-calm ber witb bis kind and imperturable manner, and ber lOTe fan::-bim seemed to top eTen ber lOTe for her own cbildren. Irene, ber daughter, also found a great companionship in Monty, a companionship that was detinitel~ )atwwl-T platonic, at least at ttie time of wtmicb we write, tar M~>ntywas completely immersed in bis work at P & S, and allOll'ed nothing tc.l interfere witb it. One could nearly .tU.. tbA al.ways Mild m light burning in his 11 ttle study on .Aunt Sarab! s fourth : ' j'/ noor until tbe wee bours ot tbe marniug. lbile be en,1oyed iU:ax'iOcial amenities;' be was adamant that his work came first, and it. was not lol:8 before bis professors reported that be would make a tine doctor and a cleTer surgeon as well. ,ack continued to be a student at Columbia Institute tor about two years. He liked jj;t better since tile Scbool bad moTed to 72nd st. and West End ATenue, tor be simply had to cross lilentral Park and walk tbrougb to West End Ave. from tbe Btll Ave. elllit. But be disliked tile futility of the military drill arui the rough exterior )If several o:r b-is class-mates whicb brougbt bim into many scrapes. Har ever, in tbis school there was no loss of caste as long as one put up a good tight, and G'ack bad learned bow to do exactly that. fe also held up the bonar of bis' class in an inter-scbolastic ice-skating race held in a~ Harlem Rink. Tbis and tbe tact tbat be did well in a Junior theatrical group at different times, brought bim a measure of popularity. But all tJ:.b:ls;never brushed away from tack.'s mind bis lOTe of l -~ music and 11 terature, al tbougb be beldt tbem in abB:,~nce because of not ~ "'- ««,ct_. .c..;r~·.-ee4 tindiDg a propitious I t l a,.:::iaia11wb:bcb to~, at tb s scllool. Military trainil:8 literally ... nauseated bim, and now bis folks at bome were promisil:8 to move bim to Dr. !'acb 1 s famous collegiate scbool for the next term~ Obapter 4 18 Other family Connections A.t tbis point it may be well to mention otber braoobes of tile Brandon-Maduro- Piza- and Madoro-Lindo families wbo were also residents in New Jork City. Tbe Brandon group was limited strictly to tbe IsaftTil!dNat Brandons, but tile others were quite numerous. Some, whose 11Tes did not 4 seem to intermingle wittl _. main groups we will refrain from includir.g in tbese memoirs, especially as they appear to best advantage in tbe ilnna.ls aooompaeyirg the ~amily Tree of tne Pizas published by Vida Guiterman. We give precedence to tne family of Hannah (Anita Piza) tne only sister of tne Brandon brothers. She was the wife of Josbua Piza, who sbe bad met in Panama wben sne was a yourg am rel}edly very handsome girl, slim, dark, with flasbirg black eyes am an empbatic nanner of expressi?Jg herself. Her husband was a man of considerable means at tbe time we write, but be was most unprepossessixg physically, sufferrir.g greatly from an abstruse indisposition causing bim to refrain from normal sexeroise wbicb in turn caused bim to become flaccid and ccrpulent. An intense bypoobondria amountiwit almost to melanebolia ma.de; bim d1ff1CIIU1t to live witll, yet bis family ~ devoted to bim,aufferixg patien:tll.y tile pa?Jgs of frustration and sell- efface mant in order to give bim greater quiet and seclusion, wllieb tere wbat be wanted most. "e was, bowever, al'l ardent admirer of classic paintir.gs, becoming a colleetar to tile extent of bis means, and Ilia bome was filled witll excellent examples of 18tb cent.ury European artists; 13otb be and bis :partner in business; Joabua Lindo, bad mOTedfrom hii91,, to New York, leavi:ag their Pana.ma interest. in tile bands of tl:leir Uncle (aoob lladu.ro and bis two sons, wbile tbey sought to deTelop an export businu1s web in tbe way Isaac :Brandon<» Brothers were doi:ag, , Tile Pizas bad four livir.g cbildreq. A,"lti'e , ..,.,,,tb:i;ee girls and om bay; namel.y Leab, _., ETa and .ilTin. All married exc,:,t ._, wno remained carixg f.xr ber mother till ber de•i1e wllen slle was over 80 years of age; EYeryone admirillld.Anita Piza greatly fGr ber persor.ia.l entbusias•, especially far ber memorable work for the :Bl.ind. Sile was eventually elected President of tbe New Yark Association for tile :Bl.ind, an bonor niell sne retainell.: until tbe end of Iler life. In tnisi work Sb!) wa s aided at all times l>y ber daugbtJll's Leab and Aim6e; tet us now turn to tile fa.mil$ of Josbu.a. Lindo and Ilia wife, !stber. Tbis man;s m.ture was tile reverse of bis partner. Josbua Piza~ f~was tall, stii.lwa.rt, and active in itbe extreme. iie was also a sood boat, enterta.initg and l!huat l · ~ P easant except Wbenroused to ire.' . 19 J.t tba'tt point be proved hilllllelf to be intolerant to a degree tbat brought 'mcb unhappiness to otbers. He could not avert serious controversn witb bis soD-in-law, anotber Jossie Piza, tbougb it di bult fair to say tbat tbe latter was an even mare arbitrary individual. J'osb also refused to coantenance tne engagemem or his sweet daugbter; Vida, to tile pQPlllar American poet, .Artbur Guiterman, a young man of exemplary qualities and excellent cultural endowments. ~evertbeless tne cou.ple was married, being most compatible and deToted until .Artbur,~s premature~:, Vida at tile present tim lives in bar own bome in Veraont, retainirg~tbe comlimss and sparkle tbat cbaracterized ber in youtn; Tlle cbildren ot J'osb and htller Lindo were J'lorence, wtlo died in middle life under tragic cirOlll!lll'lltances:(~illtant and cbarmil:lg as a you1:1g wolll8llll,sbe le ft two cbildren; Madge and st. Elmoy t11&n Oswald; followed by Evelyn, no, unmarried, also died tragically in Paris France; tben Violet who married Phanor Ider, an attorney s{cializirg in Latin-American political law, of wbose parents, brothers and sisters, we sball hear more later oni lastly Ubert, a well-scllotled and int,elligalllt bmi&3SS man who made a success or bis independent business in tbe City ot Panam. Oswal4, tile oldest boy inberited toe business of Josll Piza and Josfl Lindo; takil:18 in as partner Oarlos Constantino .Aroseneria of Panama, scion of a tine family. ' ~ ' Josb~s wife, ~tiler, was a blomle, mild person, devoted to her nusmnd and lot1g-sutferit1g because of bis dom1nat1,:g temperament•. Durirg their teens, Oswafi;:,Osmond ~durl~,3ijA1saac and Clarita Maduro ot whom we sllall bear more in these memoirs, Vivian :Brandon, Phanor Eder and il'aolc mada up a group of excellent frienaa, as yourg fellows often do. Jack was particularly attracted to Qsmond because or a quality of genuimness and sineerity wllicll be always saw in bim. Jack deeply regretted Osmond~s departure f»-111New York.J::! be l ~is,,!!;V.J,;kn_b~n9ss ~n ,_ l'a11a.ma and later in Costa Rica. ~ !/J.~JJ,..~ . ~ Pbancr Eder was the youqi;est son ot Santiago (fames) Ede~ um Mr. Eder was about 6-ft 2 and mssively built. He bad a dignified manner and a heavy beard and moustache. His wife w'.!%.a d!minutiv:e lady, buf:-Wbo carried lleerselt lite a ducbess, weari1:1g her a'8F'li 'hair piled up bigb on · ber bead. Sile was an Englisawo111an, wbo retained a strange rather cockney ,; ' accent; -be was born 1n Russia, but bad settled near Cali, in tile Ja•ea., in tile fepublic ot Colombia, at a town cal.Led Palmira, wbere be possessed a coffee Plantation, a sugar mill, and ct.her 1nterest6w11iob paid balld.aome 20 dividends. Mr. Eder met Isaac in the early days when the latter first established bis business in Panama, at whiob time L!r. Eder passed througb tbe Isthmus en route for tbe Gauca. Tbe friendsbip 'i5i 'I I grew greatlytW\liiu!beir lives, and included all tile Brandons and the Maduros as well. L!r. Eder became quite blind from glaucom in bis later years, but Ile rose abovre tbis disability in an extraordinary manner; in tact;' be mellowed and found many compensations in social Uli\lilHsWhicb~ess important to bim in tbe f'lusb of youtb and self-sufficiency. Tbe couple bad tbree daughters and tbree sons; all married as follows: Louisa to Bamuel Jackson Jacobs, a witty, sociable cbap wtio everybody liked. Henry to a lady from ~ali, .auca, wbomfew of tbeir American frienttS got to kn6w. hnny to Henry L. Maduro, Dudu1s third brotber. Editb to ,arlos Lobo, of New Yor~ and le~zuel;_a, a_mo~~-- _ · cbarmir.ig f'ellow indeed, c. ;:.J..:£ f //.. 4thl;, .... ___..,. Cbarlie to Italia, a lady from Italy wbo was utterly cbarming and who everJrYbOdy'liked immensely. Phanor to Violet Lindo, daughter of' Josb & -Estber Lindo. We come now to the last group of Pizas with wbomwe shall tarry at ) this time. Tbey were the so-called David M. Pizas. It sbould be rememberec tbat tbe "Original Josbua Piza", founder of tbe family wnicb settled in Curacao, Dutcb West Indies;' in the early 1800 1 s, was tbrice married, baviQ!: bad two sons by bis seconi wife, and two sons and seven daugbters by his :aldll. tllird wife. ~avid M. Piza was tbe son of' Moses, WbOwas Jft" son of old Josbua by bis second wife. Tbus Granda Maduro was tbe balf sister of Moses~ I Jack went from timeto time to see tile family, accompanying Dudu, for wbom tbey had a keen affection. Uter tbe death of' ieavid Piza, bis son Moses (gemrally known as MIP) was tbe family 1s cllief breadi-winner, a pleasant unobtrusiv-e sort of man, wno fell desperately in love witll J'anny Eder, wllo, llowever, did not recillI'ocate. Tllere were tllree sisters in tile family, none of wbom married. fwo ot tile tlllree taugnt at public scboola. We must now interrupt thi,s record, to announce tile arrival of anotber daugbter to Du.du, wllo was named Inez, better known as Inezita; Tllere were now four boys and tbree girls in ~avid.1s llouaebold, all of tbem, tbank God~ fine, sturdy' cllildren. ' ,, :irrom tbis time on tbe years were to briQ!: vast cbar.iges in tbe lives of tbese dear people. ~ey boners and victortes for favid; ma,ey responsibi lities and an irremediable loss for Dudu~ \ ' 21 Ctlapter 5 aatnering Clouds. ·) For maey weeks ~vid and bis brotbers bad been gravely concerned over rumors tbat tbe ]'rencb Ganal Compaey was finding it increasingly dif'f'icult to carrY on tbe digging in Panama because of' tne lack of' £:,,.£a,u Tt 116.Shllf3J competentAsemi-executives whose ranks bad been decimted by intermittent epidemics of yellow fever. Tbe fact was tnat tne Compaey bad reacbed a point wbere replacements were almost impossible to obtain, as tbe danger involved was internationally recognized and publicized; MoreOYer, many employees, even tbose wbo bad thus f'ar escaped tbe disease, were refusi:i:g to renew their contracts, and were speeding back homes. Up to tbis time tbe source of' tbese epidemics bad not been discovered, and there seemed to bejno way of eradicati:i:g tbe disease. 0~ natives of' the country and sucb foreigners as bad resided tneb for a great maey years were immune to tbe intection. Tbe situation in Panama was beoomi?lB chaotic as f'ar as tbe work was concerned. Sullde~ cables were received by Isaac Erandon & :Brothers ,j of !ew York from tbe Panama House stati?lB tbat tne Jl'rencb Company bad / failed to meet payments on their accepted drafts, and tbat these bad been protested by the London and Paris bankers who had negotiated them for accountt;; of' tbe Panams. Firm. Next ~cables notifying tbat tbe same bankers bad requested that I.E. & Bros. :,asethem immediately for amounts outlayed. I. E. ~.l3ros. started · · so, but tbe outstanding drafts amounted to approximately one million dollars, and tbe firm was soon witb its back to tbe wall, unable to continue~ Two steps were immediately taken. !David returned to Panama to rtilieve Alexander Morrice wbo reported tbat be could not bandl• tbe critical situation wnicb bad arisen witb depositors. Isaac sailed sii..ul tane ously f'or London and :Paris to see wbat could be done to obtain extensions from trublill!t & Goschen and Credit Lyonnais, and by so doing avoid a bankruptcy. Eotb men were eminently .}r!:r +·:ron• ~asc; }_P:.,.JJi::_: f ::·ry;: 'l\ :{;~:c~. • ':r.t1r1!r'f ·~ 2'.5 At this time Jack was awarded a great privilege by his Uncle lsaac, precisely because of the good reports that were comiQJ from Dr. ~achs. , ~ack was given tree access in the afternoons to Isaac:s magnificent library~ 1 Here Jack revelled in complete collections of tne British Poets, novelists and essayists. In the course o~ tne six or seven years thaii he lived in Isaac's home he read through every poet from Skelton to Teneyson; all of Walter Scott's ltaverly Novels, all tile works of lecrge Eliot, most of Thackeray, Victor Hugo, .Alexandre Dumas and r,alzac. He also read from cover to cover tile Old festament, st. fames Edition. When he went to Panama on bis vacations be read: in his father,;s' ' library tne American Poets, Lowell, R Bryant, Whittier, Longfellow, and the poems and essays of Ralpb Waldo Emerso~ several works of Mark lwa~ Robert Louis Stevenson, and otners. He did not tackle the ~rownings Is' maey years later. I:. r. Jackls violin playing had improved a great deal due to tne incentive be now bad to Join quartettes and orchestras w1tb several of bis fellow students at Sacbs 1 • His fellow musicians were chiefly Herbert Strauss, wbo father was co-owner of ~acy,s.Store," I Eddie hied, whose fatJer was the \ '. t!: 'Jenicr partner of tile famous silk importing firm of li'ried, Mendelson & Co., I Allie BJ.oca, lried 1s cousin,and a large choice among tbe pianists tbe class was full of. Herbert strausss bad a Stradivarius Cello wbicb helfplayed beautifUlly, Allie Bloch played Viola ( tnough tE: was an excelient solo violinist besides) , Eddie fried, second violin, and Jack, first violin. I - - on the literary side, Jack~s frielllllls were tt..,. Alwyn Scheuer, lrviQJ " - Speyer, whose fatner was connected with tbe banking firm of the same name, Willie Saks, wbo later becaue tbe president of tile Saks Stt>res;' and, beyond all in importance 14r. t-n Thompson of tile !acns Sc~ool. The 'eader can perceive from tne foregoiQJ that the years of Jack~s life from twelve to seventeen were the most productive in tne sense of culture, providing a foundation upon Wbicn lle was to build unremi ttiQJly fair llimself irrespective of wnere ,nu"' it was llis destiny to travel or to reside. But we are now gettiQJ ahead of our story, and return to pick up tne threads from tile time Judith and Jack's brotlleIS and sisters followed their beloved llusband and father back to Panama. It'll.., .:(....,~. 24 Cllapter 6 1992-1897 t.,HV Grandma Brandon Qfie moved once more; tbis time tQ, tbe home of ber youngest son, Nat, where sbe spent the remainder of her earthly days. Ber angina pectOJris attacks bad grown in frequency and intensity, and. many-times wben Jack visited her his beart was wrung at ber great sufferings. But until tile very last sbe beld Iler bead bigh, as was ber iiiiif• tbougb iaok knew till; she was quite unbappy, lacking the affection and companionship whicb sbe had enjoyed when Du.du lived in New York and sbe was able to see favid and (ack Jbit daily. 4-. 'ha,,t: 4- ,->4 ,llllat:••~ '#/!Hh ""'- />4-•i',a,,.o,p ' At Uncle Isaac's, Jack occupied a small ball-bedroam on tbe fourth floll' at the opposite en4 or tile ball from where Monty bad bis bedroom and another sma.11 room wbiob be used as a study and library. Jack was often permitted to sit in tbis study to do bis home work, even wban Monty was there, but con versation was rare between them at sucll times, for Monty d1d nolt like to have bis tboi;gbts and umndirg notatiom interrupted. Tbe Isaac Brandons bad maay charming and devoted :friends, especially Lionel.. 14amaand Papa Moses (sucn wonderful people tbey were), whose eldest so~om:e ,namoured ot Lilo/ fiUl.ly marr:b. d Lils second daughter Shirley; tbe Elias de Limas (Elias was pr•sidlllnt of the :Battery Park National. '.Baril!:,and later a vice-president of the lrvi~ frust Company-); the Jtders, the ft'uckers, tne ' ~~ . Isaacs and SQ on. These people&s cnil!Gren 'iBiEl!'8 chums of Btancbe and Lillian. Later Irene brought otbers to join"' a circle wbich accepted Jaclc with tile same unreserved cordiality wnictl tney accorded to Irene and Viv. Isaac and ijarab visited little because of Sarah's precarious health, but their home was the center of this del~btful group wbbbb always preferred to meet in the library-sitting room where Aunt Sarah sat in her red upholstezed arm cllair, near which an exquisite pa.inti~ of Blanche rested on an easel. :Jriday evenings Isaac led tne prayers in tnis same room. 'attn'day morniq,i:s the family gererally went wita Isaac to the Synagogue, Shearitb Israel; first located at 19th St. & Jh'OJtadway. Not logg after, the Synagogue sold this property for a veritabla fortune as a buainess site, and built another and more modern place of worship at ~antral Pk. lest and 68th st., where seniee s .1re still conducted; Throughout bis entil"e boyhood ICack chafed at religious rituals and be does not enjoy them to this date;' but at that tiim be lcept silent owi~ to bis respect and amiration /;¥bis Uncle Isaac as well as for th e ~evere nd ~arry Pereira jendes, Rabbi of the congregation, who had married 25 'Rosalie ~ DuduI s cousin. Rosalie was a cultured and most delightful . persons:, :i!bo.voice possessed a richness and softness unique in u'ack 1s )experience. The couple had two sons, P1za and ,ereira. Jack did not attend tile Sunday Scbool as did Viv and Irene because his fattier David did not approve of tile way religion was bei1:1g taught in tnose days, especially disapproving of tne Bar-Mitzvab statements of faith, which boys of tbirteen were expected to undertake before, in bis opinion, tney could possibly nave tile understandirg; and experience to fli tnem for sucb an obligationa or adopt so definite a creed. Monty felt tbe same way as iDa.vid in this respect, and did not attend the Synagogue. He did, llowever, Join Isaac 1s family at p-1d&¥ evening prayers on some occasions. Isaac was very particular in 11viig up to the Jewisb rituals, am tbougb be neTar failed in politeness to..,.. Jew1sll people, in and 011tside of tile family, wbo bad married out of tbEiir fa1tll, Ile did not seek their company tbA~ar ,bel1ev1t!t tnat to do so was to condone wbat Ile looked upon as a-~M~· Despite tbis important difference exist1ig between llsaac and bis two brothers, botb DaT1d and Nati; beiig wbat one m1gllt call "free tb1nlcers 11;· \, i these two younger men never lost tlleir respect far Isaac, for all tb1s was part of bis conservative nature, belp1t1g to make tbe man wllat be was;' namel7, a fixed star in a ttTMw11•JJt firmament of unceas11:1g variation and uncertainty. Isaac stood at all times like a Rock of G1bral:tar wben darkness loomed. ~e was parsimonious about 11::.tre tilings, but generous in all tile big tilings; cr1 ti cal in 11 ttl.e tilings, forgiving wtiere for 11 giveness was needed to reclaim tile backslider. As previously mentioned, Isaac was born in London. Although be t.HO$l lived most of his. life in New York City be neTer nl ltd to be other tnan an E1:1gl1stiman. Jack onoet asked him wtiy this was so, inasmuch as he was mk1ig his living in Alll8r1ca. His answer was that this wal something quite apart from one's nationality. And that was it. He lived and died a :Britisber. Prior to World War one, Britain was indeed tile ~uean of tne Seas, and Isaac was proud of it. Never was tn1s more patent to ~ack than on the numerous occasions when Wasb1ngton requested tbat Brit1sll men-of-war v1si t Panama duri?lg reYolut1ons in order to see to it tnat Americana as well as / Brit1sti ware well protected there. At thati;, time there were not enough American snips to do tti1ob in obstreperous Latin America, despite the 1iio ' existence of tbe Monroe ~· It was during tbel\.lYorld Wa,rlthat British ... - -- •• - -· ,, -- - ·- .. - -- - - ..'ll •• - - ..!I ·- - -- ..... _,.. • ~ .. 26 Chapter 7 Panama, 1892-97. When Jack took his first vacation in Panama in July of 1892, he saw again many faces he had known when he was a young child, First came his grandma Maduro and her family, Sam,Josh, Anna, Mirry, Henry and Lilla, (Monty beiQ?: in NY as we have seen). Of these only Sam, Josh and Anna were married; Sam to Lillian Brandon, Josh to his lost bride Blanche, and Anna to Edward 8almon, probably as much as twellllty-five years older than herself; a frail, kindly person, with a long, grey beard, profoundly immersed in his religious meditations, almost to the point of fanaticism. They bad tbree fine, handsome sons; Samuel Harold (Lito), Robert and Itbiel, Ithiel died as a boy in his early teens wbile visitirg Sam and Lils wbo bad -1.;'"~ by tbat time mcr,ed to New Rochelle, N, Y. Lito : I :a z.litti l!'lo Maduro, second daughter of Isaac and Clarita Maduro, sister of Elaine and Osmond. Of all these dear ones we shall bear more anon. Robert (Bob) married years later Kate ,rosby in Havana, Cuba. ~ack also met again innumerable cousins, among then the 2elvalles, the Lindos, the Jacob Maduros, the Oardozes, Fidanqttgi!l!a. There were al•o several families, which tnougb not related by blood to him, were part of the same social circle, namely, the Toledanos, the Sassos, tbe de ~astros and de Lenos. ~avid also took., him to meet Joshia Piza, a -:, 7:!~~~~~~n& of middle age at the tim, who ti,vid thougbt tile world of, u:b:XDX"- man --, "$..#:~.business talents ia tllK[f&WAiiw~~became a genuine stand-by to 1;;,1 f« IAT in later years at a time of great economic peril, Jack saw tllat bis folks were still livii:g in tile great, big, straggling house where be bad lived as a child. This had been bought by Grandma )la.duro for Maduro e Hijos, and slle bad been liviig tbere until Dave and Dudu returned to Panama, at wllich time she moved to a veryy pleasant llolBJe near tbe Parque ~entral, alongside where tile Isidore &i Julita fardozes wer, living. Shortly before Jack 1s arrival Dudu bad added another boy to Iler family, who they named Isaac, he beirg the eigntb to tbe creditnof Juditn•s generous motherbood, Every iFridey evenirg, the entire immediate family of Brandons and ~duros lould be found after sd,;er at ~ran~~~ls. This was really not aP.arfunctorv "f~3/ · px:1:~ occasion, but11-991111•EH!Milll!!liill•ml family unity, .... 27 ~niffection, Which uc~as never seen equalled since. To his Grandma it was as though she were a queen among her peers and peeresses, and when, as happened quite frequently, visitors from abroad were asked to come to see ber, it was a pleasmt·e to hear her discourse upon the merits of all ber brood, absent and present. As one vacation followed anotber in Panama, marking for ~ack an almost imperceptible transition from boyhood to young manbood, flITtner marriages took place in tne immediate family. Mirry married Marcus Ascoli, well-to-do owner of a stylish women1 s apparel and drygoods firm. Jack remembers that there were several dissenting voices in the family as to the widdom of tbis marriage, for L!r. Asooli,_was far older than Mirry, and ratber decadent pbysically. ~e was moreover a dyed-in-tbe-wool Ji'rencbman, wbo the family would have a difficult time in absorbing. The poor man ·became paralyzi!t~ one year of tbe marriage, just after tbe birtb of tbeir only cbild, ~en6, and died after anotber l8ar despite tbe unremitting devotion and nursing of his beautiful, young wife. Her devotion was particularly toucbing because everyone knew that sbe bad loved another young man for years; one Herbert de Sola;, sub-manager of the Ascoli stare, Dk who loved her in return. Eut be knew of bis patron 1s wisb to marry Mirry, and beiim bimselr but a beginner in business witbout pecuniary Qii&i8s, unable to offer Mirry the ~dvantages to wbiob sne bad become accustomed, be retired flD m the field~ l'..t..~·1 ~ ~ee.t.. Now, Herbert became tne manager of the business, in wbicb Mirry bad cont~nued her imestmant, and in the course of time the two were drawn togetber by=:-benefic~ijcamstances. Herbert bad opened a brancb in the city of Iania1vador, and it had prospered tremendously. So much so '1 • that after a few·years tbey decided to close the Panama buainess up, and moved to Salvador. There never was a bappiffrn~tne more blessed tban tbis one. Nor was there ever a man more respected tor bis personal and business qualifications tba.n Herbert de Sola. He did not confine his operations to the drygoods line as in Panama, but diversified bis interests, •going into industrial and agricul tur~l enterprises as wellp As was ,avid 8 in Panama, "tie lbevalier sans peur e sans reprocbe" y1 so ~ Herbert esteamed in ijalvador. .As a matter of fact there was always a deep current of understanding and sympathy between favid and his young~r protagonist. The couple became the parents of five boys, four of wnom are living and all bigbly respected in their cbosa:n professions, Victor, tile eldest, being at this time tile bead of tbe business, for bis father :bl and bis 1 ..,..,..,1,..______;..,., ... ~: ___ . ,._ ,...... _...:_ .....a-r..•.a--t+~ /£ ~ . ,. ,a;;::1-;;-A.....- .J. ~~. 28 The next marriage to be celebrated in tne)immediate family was tnat of Dudu 1 s youngest sister, Lilla, to tacob Luria of Hamburg (known as Jakey), a good-lookiDI first-cous-in. Jakey was as dyed-in-the-wool a aerman as Mr. Ascoli was a Frenchmen, and Jack sorrowed in bis heart for bis Aunt Lilla wno was unquestionably tne best-natured and fascinatir:g, in his opinion, of bis aunts, reminding him always of Monty with her sweet, broad smile. This marriage was not fortunate, though ~akey was very well-to-do, having his ~11si#~111sin Hamburg as well as Panam, ni'l:i,Partrer being bis '-.·,:::_,;,.,·, :,,_ :i\\·':\c:;/1 brother Herman;' 'wbo lived permanently in Panama., beirg relieved from time to time by a visit from Jakey. The couple bad five cbildren, tbJJee boys and two girls. ill died in very young, except one daughter, !era, a most cbarmirg girl, who married a ..real ,erman, and bad two children a boy and girl. When tne first World Jar broke out, the family was badly affected;' and Lilla gr~w 111 and passed away in Germany. When the second World War came, Hitler made it impossible for l.era to reaain with ber children in . -CJeIY.lr; Germany, s"lisbe brougbt tnem. to tile United States. Her son, En t, a grand-looking young fellow joined tbe American forces to fight Hitler, and was slain in battle. Vera now lives in New York, a close fni:iend of J'lo ~a:Lmon; otberwise quite alone in tne ~arld save fc:r her ma.rrie d daughter. e: Now to more cheerful matters. Wben {ack was about fourteen • years old, la,vid taught him to play chess, for be wan-. d him to understand tn8~lame played all tn11 world over, a game whicb could, be the "open sesame" to friendship in any foreign city ana!I every country. lack never attaim d . i any great effilciency, but; in bis turn taught bis two sons in tbe:lr early . •?_: youtn, witn the same thoughts in bis mind as favid bad when be taugbt ltack. Otber Panama chess fans were Sam Maduro and Edward gal .. on wllo played with ~avilli nearly ever7 Sunday. Jack ~eard it said that ~Edward was the real ~ .'.,, champion, but be believes that Sam was equally compete'nt. for the latter beat tbe faao~li! Automaton in the ~°,Muse'e in .~ew,Y~l{{ games straight and created quite a hubbub on tbis account. In late Sam demonstrated bis SUperiari t;y easil7 OTar many frieDiiS WbOUSllxiall pl:: if\!b,aw 11 aYJcbeJlle. »avtd enj o;yed cbess and dominoes, and went :f'requentl7 to the J Union Club in Panama to sip a Vermoutb :Frapee and join a game of .tominoes. Here ~ack would often find him togetber with bis ,.,.ibU Joshia Piza,' Ricardo and Tomas .Arias, Ricardo Arango, f!iianuel f!Pinosa B., Domirgo , J,..,.,~ . Obaldia, ~ederico Boyd, Br., e 11~ of tbe Arosemena family, and once in a wbile, Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero, a pbysician, who was destined to l. . '·.; },, ( -~!.,c, '.'' -.·1 C , .... , i _,:...... ' ' ,·". ' .~).~}ij .{i .. ' t"~~ :.~1:.',J.,; '-' -~ .J :'f·.d ' ' ! . ,~, ·. .I J C: i'.~rLe v,od ,0 1.13·:r.:;~~~L ~ (. ,;JfJj!'Jf·Jl1:,2 '(:f:·;i\(l .LBW :f .'.1i: f13':r.'.;;J.trJ:l ;!l ::JI w,, iJ cJLt .sJ-J .s ·r 9'TDH ;Jo,::"G 'li'I,Jo ·,.:,,rJ,i"111 ,·.,w1 rJJlw lJ U\.'.JJiq vr;•,.-! IJ3S"I Dnj· ~;J?,?! '":'r.s.1.vr ·.. "',·.,l'.. '{ .·,_:- ", .,,:;f .,·.·._·.~~--,,:-1,_,_; ..: t' •·~i,.-,!.,-· •, ·, • f' ., •.•. fj .t ;).(1{.i ,r,,.J:r::;1;,·-:o·t •.\:. i.l t • J. ,., (;j b:_·,niJ2.c.·· 29 become tbe first president of tne ~epubiic of Panama. ~be men we nave mentioned were tne very care of tbe group wnicn bad stood by 33a.vid at tne ;time of tne failure of tne Frencb ianal Company, and wbo remained ullited tbrougbout tbe negotiations wbicb resulted in Panamanian independence, as will later be snown in tbese annals. Of all bis relatives Jack 1s family saw most of Sam and Lila and tbeir cbilcLren. In fact, tney were i?1Separable tnrougbout all tbe years until illa.vid!s deatb, at wnicb time greater changes took place tnan ever before, but tbey were again re-united in New Rocbelle. Lils eventually I bad a family of ten; Judith reacoed a total. of ttiirteeD, of \\Ulich all but one, survived to matnrity. Sbe wno passed away was little Joyce wno came after Isaac, but died of menengitis when slle was about two years old. Sbe was a fair little tot, resembliQ;!; tne Brandons rattler tbm, toe Madu.ros, and reminded Jack.of Inez on tbis acco.,unt. These were tbe years When Jack saw bis brotbers and sisters in a new light; that is to say, in tbe lignti of tbeir individualistic trends. Tbe children did not go to Pana.man:an sebools; t~!_i.logetner with Lila older children went to a class at IIB.vid~s house ut ire a 14iss 14cCUlly, wbo ~ 1 ff- ~avid bad secured from Canada as a teacner and gov~:_ss !-P._r..•his children, cond1D;:ted, P tile l. Tbe classroom was equipped 1.1:~ ;: 1ittle scbool- room, and here tbe cbildrellll advanced quite well in tbeir stualies under 14iss 14cOully's guidance for quite a number or years. 1ack enjoyed some pleasant hikes with 14iss Mccully and tbe older children up tbe Ancon kountain ( bardly a mountain, ~ll It ilii ma, butt a talllsb bill), a~ bi ll!!!liliilf°a kind:Ly ani4 pleasing,- persomli ty. · · ,.. ·-":-·-•C..·-·----·:-,· ;- -:-~-:,-.;-,---:·1·i::'<,'?-·\s;,~",;.;._,."°(;'.'~-;1,.~-C,-._- Et b el was growing into a tall and sturdy girl,· wi tll flastttilf'dar'.lc~'brown eyes, a determined cnin and large, generous moutb. SIie already snowed signs of tbe determ~ned nature wbicb sbe was to briJ:8 into play not very lOJ:8 after tbis til.6. Solly was a sweet-natured, easy-goiJ:8, generous fellCllf, fUll of smiles and always .. ready foj,!':efrolic, a weakness w~i!)ll m±sled bim cons1!lerab1v 30 career wnicb b~s fatber bad carved out for bim so brilliantly. It was so written in toe books, as it wer•, and bis fatber was rigbt,for Jae~ bad not yet evinced any of that "elan vital" which is the essence Of genius 1n any professional work. As a matter of fact Jack was grateful that no mistake was made . in tnis respect, for be would never bave beellll nappy to earn a mere pittance as a music teacber orAtyro"°'""~ at literature; When Jaok was att••m: about sixteen be sought tbe companionship of youDg girls of bis own ege or older. Of all in Panama, he likedEstelle !flelvalle and lsolem Sasso best,Jttrd:i:¥ and was particularly grateful for Jstelle 1s friemlsbip. She was the youngest daughter of Rachel Piza ... . jr~v~le of ~an Francisco, mother of thirteen other children, wherefore ~cceded to the petition of her sister Emily to be allwed to adopt tbe child for her own to live with ner in Panama. Emily was childless otherwise. quite a number of years after tbis, Estelle married Josh Maduro, am!. their union was blessed with four children, orphaned by the death of their mother after an operation in New York. Isolene also married a Tery exoellen: gentleman,:1:t s~~oo passed away at an early age from acute diabetes. The '1f-!'iQ:i'jitr~axation in Panau.a were UEeS' limited. Of course there were tbe "pozos" at tbe lsland of 'l'aboga, some twelve miles o:ft tile snore of Panama. :David also ownen a,:e;J.er large aous+,t Baile.monos r1gbt on tbe route of the projected Oanal,w~1re tne family visited f:rOimtime to time, giving the cb.ildren an opportunity for a bit of open life; but apart from horse-back ridi:qJ and a few zar&uelaa and ;it&ff1~ances, there was ltttle opportunity for amusement. In tne case of the dances, it was . , not customary for a boy or girl keepiDg steady company to snare any of their dances witi:l others, tberefore ttlere was little opportunity for a boy or girl to find a free partner, as~ girls at marriageable age were without a 11novio 11• On the occasion of Jack's last vacation in Panama before be went to work as an apprentice at the New York Office of lsaac Brandon & Jilros., tbe terrible news was cabled by Isaac tnat Monty, tnen an interne at Bellevue Hospital shortly after bis graduation from P & S, bad been run over by a horse-drawn mail truck while ridi:qJ bis bicycle bome. The shaft of tne wagon bad plunged into bis side, breaking a number of ribs, pushing lung and liver aside and penetratiDg one kidney. An emergency operation was performed by Dr. Abbe, Monty1s favorite professor of surgery, but little nope was entertained f.nr bis recovery. Withal, Montyks fine "' '.51 constitution saw bim tbr~ugb tbe operation and tbrougb several post operative crises, but be remained just tbis JU::aside of deatb for several montbs. Finally be returns d to Isaac I s bome, wbere be was nursed for more tban a year by Sarab and Irene. Tbis brougbt Irene and Monty closer tban ever to eacb otber, and be is reported to bave asked ber band in marriage. Perbaps tbe reason she refused him,because gratitude seemed to e,,,d./,i&,4, -,.. ber to :1!!!IPJIItoo great a part of bis affection. Sbe was indeed deservi~ of a l0'9'e rooted in its own spontaneity, wbicb years of platonic proximity bad not elicited from Monty towards her~ Perbaps, on tbe otber band, Monty's failure to respond as sbe migbt bave bope,d, was due to bis inarticulate conviction that be would natl. be :t:1111long in this world. Who can read the worki~s of a suffering heart? il thougb Monty's major wound was never allowed to close, req1111.1ri~ drainage at all times, be gaim d sufficient strength to resume a limited professional practice. He married a lady consi~erably older than bimself, a Miss Lydia Woolf, who attended bim devot.edly, botb rea11z1ng that another operation would ultimately be necessary to remove tbe damaged kidney in the hope of saving tbe otber from infection. So a few years passed until the new infection made iiael:f felt. There was no time to be lost. Dr. Abbe :si:a undertook tbe second operation with actual dread, for be loved Monty. Monty died soon after bei~ removed from tbe\operating room, calli~ sad good-byes to all tbose be loved. Had the doctors in those days bad at their command tbe antibiotics whicb are available today, perbaps from the ve-;v; start Monty migbt have had a chance for a full r•covery. So ended a promisi:ia; career; tile career of a you~ man of exemplary character, a man witb tbe patience and resignation of Job, a man possessi?ij!; the ki~st of hearts. Chapter 8 3 2 Historical Foresn\etdowings Panama, as will be remembered, was at this time a province of the Republic of Colombia. After tne failure of the Frencn Canal project, tne political aituation on tne Isthmus worsened progres.Jively. · Colombia counterea by seeirg to it ttlat the calibre of Governors stle sent to Panama was of' ttle sort tnat woult' be quite irnr,.une to local influences. Ttle Panamanians were now gettir:g a pretty raw i!eal right along. Revolutions increased in frequency and intensity, anf' ttlougtl all of tnem failed of their purpose, the Panamanians were resolved tnat something must happen to lighten their burc'ens. It is pertinant at ttlis time to mention that some years before ttle time of' which we have been writing, a rattler shy, stammering but brilliant Cuban-born physician and research worker, Dr. Carlos J. Finlay .by name, tlad been working feverishly- to ascertain the source of infection of that dreadful scourge of yellow fever, ttle terror of his native land of Cuba. Finley was of Scotch anrl Irish origin, but although he had studied in several European capitals ana also in the Uni t.ed States under the famous Dr.· S. Weir Mi tctlell at Jeffer son College in Philadelphia, am! this last mentioned professor tried hard to keep him in tne Uni te.d States, Finlay insisted upon returning to Havana to work ana practice. On one occasion - to be exact on February 18th of 1881, he attended the International ~anitary Con ference in Washington, and made an address in qhich he revealed his theory that Yellow Fever was communicated by some entirely separate host comirg from an infected person to a non-infected person. Little notice was taken of what he said. Six months later at the Academy of Sciences in Havana, and after making several experiments there, he announced the name of a mosquito, the female of whose species he claimed to be the host and cause of contagion of yellow fever. He 11 11 identified the mosquito as the Culex 1 which was afterwards called Stygomya Fasciata. Little credence was given to what was called a mere hypothesis. Many people thought Finl,ay was a bilLt of a visionary about this whole matter. About nineteen years later, at the start of the Spanish-American Ivar, Colonel William c. Gorgas was placed in ) charge of the »epartmentc of Health in Havana, and tried every known way to ascertain tne cause of the terrible contagion without success. 32-A The upshot was that Dr. Walter Reed and his Commission came to Havana and in desperation Went to see Dr. Finlay. In the year 1900 Dr, Reed arranged for extended expsriments conducted with volunteers from the American Army, These experiments proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that Dr. Finlay was right; that the mosquito in question was the source, and the only source of contagion from yellow fever, Thousands of lives and twenty years of research in this direction were wasted while tne so-called "visionary" waited patiently to have mis tneory verified, Our purpose in bringing this matte¥Kin our annals is mainly to underscore the important fact that yellow fever was on its way to be eradicated from all the tropics by 1905 or earlier, and that it was no loog-er the menace it had been to the building of a canal in any part of Central America. Sad to relate, the imll.easurable service rendered to civilization By Dr. Carlos J. Finlay 1vas oversnad(l!I ed by the practical (lemonstrations given by Dr. :!alter Reed in Havana, Pana~a, Guayaquil, Wew Urleans anr. elsewhere-· of his metnods for cleaning out yellow fever. For a time many countries 1vere har/!ly aware that Dr. Finlay had been the originator of the_theory an~ had fought 1 org anr'l faith fully for its acceptance by the members of his profession everywnere. The Uniter' States now started seriously to ncg;otiate 1vitn Bogota to take over the French concession. Colombia was evif'lently in no hurry to brirg these negotiations to a head, merely listening cooly to what the Uniten Statces and Panama hail to say, but refusirg to entertain any such amount of compensation such as the United States had in mind. This unending "sang froid" deeply annoyed the author- ities in Wasnirgton, and increased interest was snown in an alter native route through Nicaragu~where every possible co-operation was assured. The great quest:,ion was tnat whereas the Panama route was suitable for a sea-le~el canal, the Nicaragua route required a lengthy series of locks. Not only would tile operation of tnese locks delay tile progress of snipping tbrougb tne finil-,lled oanal, but tbey would be far more costly. JloreTer, despite tb~ tlle°XStlill"•ifffla in :a in a large buildii:g which came to be known as Hospital de la Ambulancia Extrangera. Ja~k, now about sixteen years old, was permitted to spend a few hours per day at this place, where he banded bandages and disinfec- tants to the nurses at bedside and served water to the patients. He saw many men die during those days, and the appallirg; scene was engraved forever · upon his mind, so that he was never again the aame carefree lad be bad been before. At that time there were no specifics against tetanus, and most of the patients died of this,ifiliilltei the brother of Di-. Porras, a noble looking young man whose tbigb bad been nearly destro,ed by gunfire. After this frigbteniug experience fllavid was more determined than ever to help find a solution 1;,the predicament of tbe Panamanians, and the results of tbis determination will be manifest as we continu~ with our annals. Strange as itt may appear, and despite intermittertt reTolutions and generally poor bus.im,ss, livii:g ponditions were improviug in Panama in many wa)'S. A telephone system bad been installed in all tbe shops and business bouses, and in many of the better-class homes~ An electric light plant, (out-moded and inadequate), had been installed by one Juan Mainero y fruco from 6artagena, Colombia; a trolley line was also runnii:g. Tbese all made life more livable for tbe average citizen. Up to tbis. time very little ice had been available to tbe general populace anti it was very costly. There being no home refrigeration Whatsoever, when ice was to be bad, it was first wrapped in newspaper and after rolled in burlap and blankets for louge r conservation. Ice rationing was prevalent until several years later; fever patients having the preference ove all 11~- '.35 Cbapter 9 A Snort InteJllude. We now ask tbe Reader to return to Isaac~s bome witb us, back u witb Jack in New York. Isaac bad sold bis bome in 72nd st~ and rented a bouse in West 89tb S~ near ~entral fark fest. ~e also disposed of his team of borses. In those days Isaac spent most of bis leisure hours at the Montefiore Home for Cbronic Imalids, becomixg tbe House Manager for several years consecutively. He also became President of the Synagogue. As we baTe previously mentioned tbere were two summers wnen epidemics in Panama caused Jack 1s parents to request bim to remain in the States. He remained bn tnose occasions witb Isaac 1s family, who vacationed at Atlant:lc Highlands;· New Jersey. ~aclc was fast maturixg now, and enjoyed many opportunities to practice the dancii:g he bad learned the summer before in Panama. He felt nappy in the company of those of tbe opposite sex, especialq wben somewhat older than bimself, and experienced two less epbermeral attach ments than usual, but they could not nave been very profound inasmuch as •ben tbey came to an end be suffered no sense of frustration. Jack bas preserved a cons:ld(erable number~ of letters written to him by bis parents .. ~~ixg all tbose years tbat be lived away ftom them, letters fh/.~'-'"-'/_ whicb are _ proof of tbeir devotion to him, despite tbe many otber children who nad come into tbe world to snare tneir care and attention. He bas also preserved a letter written to bim by bis Grandma 14adaro, written wben she was 86 years old. All these letters are precious possessions, ···r and are recommended to tbe attention of Jack 1s and Esttler~,s children, and bis >i e R brothers and sisters. Jack bad mentioned to bis fatner tbat be was quite "fed up" with the ortbodox religious senice, entailixg tbe separation of tbe womendurixg tbe bOU'rs of prayer and so forth. iiav:Utbad suggested tbat he visit a refo:rrmed service, and Jack wei:tt to tbe Madison Ave. Synagogue to bY their new Rabbi~ !Ir., Stephen Wise, lli!iz service, apart fmm being rather theatll- ca1t rattler appealed to Jack. kv:IIL also suggested tbat be attend tbe Sunday lectures at Qarnegie liall to near Dr. l'elix .Adler and bis asstlXl&iate, n - -~. Elliot, expound' their tbeilries of EtDical Culture. I Dr. Adleri1s appeal was powerful, be tbougbt, especially to tbe doulatirg mind~ Maey dee;.,d nim to be an agnostic; otners considered bim an atbeist, Jack felt that many of his asseverations warranted eitner of these claims. :But Ile also realized tnat Somewllat even more signifigant was moviug in tbis man1 s turbulent soul, and in retrospect saw 1t witb greater clarity tnan wnen I under tile spell or Adleri,is tbrii.lling climaxes. He visualized a human being wno sincerely belil!IYed at" tne time tnat it was bis muusion to analyze witn unimpeachable legio eTery human trend and nuance in terms If tile pbysio&l, inferentially giving tne lie to wnatever might otherwise be interpreted as bavii:g its roots in wbat ~· isJ\spfrittual or psycbic. In otller words, . Adler labored to replace faith in Sprituality {again, Emerson's •oversoul" recurs to our tbougnt), witb faitb in tile sufficiency of Etllieal Culture. Be sougllt tbe regenerattion of tile human mind without reference to a "IEe;inniug or an End". He relegated- tbe so-called Soul to tile realm of illusion, refusing to entertain tile possibility of i:,n1nspirati~ource • .As far as Jack was concerned; despite Dr. Adlerijs breatlltak1ug O\ratory, be presented rrankind wi tb a world eaptied of arr sublime s1gm.f1gance; otily a "ibited Sepulchre" remaining. ~any ,ears later, readiug some publisbed lectures of an aging ~elix Adler, Jack was pleased to note tnat tbis talented tuinker bad bEe;un to yield to tbe benign in:f'luence of tbe Empirical; tbat Adler was seeking ~I at last witb a Wisdom not to be confounded witl4that of tbe nesoly mind. As always, toe Victory was witb God. I EtnicaJ. Culture is ando11bted,!Y_a useful adjunct to mankindts efforts to practice virtue and reoogniz~aJ.ues, but it is oertaitily n; substitute for t;ne laneuage of tne Soul. llany otner orgamzed creeds sunive in spite of bistcrioal imperfections, precisel.y because tney preserve in one form or anotuer the ineffable Secret without wnicb life takes on toe seemill:!; of transiency, wbile deatb takes on tbe seellli:i:g of finalSSy. Cbapter 10 Business Apprenticesbip; 1897 to 1899. Jack graduated from Dr. Saens• Collegiate Scbool for Boys at about seveteen years of age, witb an average record as far as scholarsbip was concerned, but witn tbe esteem of most of bis professors anct many of his fellow-students. Durirg bis remainirg two years in New York be kept those relationships very much alive, excbanging evenirg visits, and giving much attention to cbamber music. No time was lost after his graduation to install him as a junior clerk at Isaac Brandon & Brothera 1 tben located at 35 :Broadway, in an old, red-brick, fourstory building, the firm occupyirg the sec~nail rloor. One of tne most gratifyirg recollections of tnis time was wben bis Uncle lsaac banded bim a sealed envelope to be delivered in person by him to tbe Manager of tbe New Yark Branch of Credit Lyonnais of Paris, wbose office was at No. l Wall st. He was told tnat be must wait for an answer. After takirg the envelope from Jack, tbe manager asked bim to tait in the Reception Hall, but be soon returned and asked Jack to step into bis private office. This is in effect What be said to Jack: I ~ "Yourg man, I see tnat you are a son of favid Brandon, and are beginnirg your busim ss career. Now just remember tbiso. You nave just delive:recd to me tbe last payment, witb interes)' of a very large loan made to toe Pam.ma firm in connection witb an indebtedness incurred tbrougb the failure of the Frencn •anal Company. ' This bappened a good many years ago, and there bas never been a default; Your father bas performed meritorious service in Panama, creatirg for bimself an emriable position in tbat community• fryto follow in bis footsteps. I wish you also to know tnat we know·no man in wnom we repose greater confidence tban in your uncle, Mr. isaac Brandon, and we say tbis after ;years of satisfactory business dealings. " Tbe Beader can imaginqtbe tnrill tbat Jack received at tbis revelation. He,, returned to his uncles literally "walkirg on air", and reported wbat tbe ia.nk fanager bad told bim. Isaac listenad mutely, turn1rg away to bide acy trace of elliotion, for be, unlike i1?avid and Nat, did not possess tbe -i gift of sel:t'-expression to ~ marked degree. Two years or more later, when J>a.vtdand Du.du were sitting in their si t11:h.rgroom wi tb Jaclc looking out upon tne n1gbt 1 after fi,v1.c1bad! spoken of tbe great strides the business was making, be said: "I want you both to know should anytbirg happen to me, tbat 1!.nere is no om on earth I resie, ct as mucb as my brotber Isaac, nor acyone whose judgment can be as much ~ 11 38 / relied upon as bis. I It was for tbis reason 1191; wben serio111~ trouble, came upon tbe irm years afterwards, that Juditb continued to allow ber brotbers-in-law ' to avail of ber re•ainirg funds in tbeir busicess • It·,w as for tthtsa sam reason, also; tbat after bis fatber~s,.. death ~ack refused to question the '.Busin.ess Statement presented by Isaac and Corinaldi, sbowine,(the value of ~avid 1s estate, despite tbe fact that certain outsiders deemed the amount less tban tbe estate was entitle to receive. ~aturally 1 he went l>ver each item, beirg sbown that all was in barmony witb the books, but be later felt that tbe Statement was deficient imsmucb as no reserve was made on bebaJ.f of the es'tate fof~£ppreciation tbat was soon to take place in the company 1s shares in tne Electric Ligbt and Ice Jlants wnicb upon tbeir re-vampi~ after ~avi~;s demise, were sold at a huge profit to tne American Light and Power Company. This reserve would have been in order, because itla.vid had ideated tbe business and had brougbt it up to t,he point of rehabilitation just prior to his deatb, leaving Isaac tbe simpler job of concluding the supervision and making tbe sale. Jack received tne final call from his father in a letter dated bctober third, 1899, he be irg 19 years of age, which reads as follows: "You know it had been arranged tnat you snould serve a two year apprenticesnip in new York ere comirg hell'e to assume duties that you will tbsn be fitted for. The full' term would bave been allowed bo expire but for our need now :tB of sucb belp tbat only one wbo has· our confidence can be entrusted witb. For us to take a clerk would be to make tile door of the future more difficult for you to open. Consequently after very mature deliberation I have determined to ask you to come down ,to us by ttle end of tne year, and I t11;1vewritten. to Uncle Ji.saac to tni.s same effect. Dont you imagiBII. tnat I sball expect to_!~d you witn eitner experience·or attainments to aut.norize your bei~cnarge of any .particlll1lar work. :;;.or are you to suppose that tne nature of your occupation will be one requiring less care and and tnorougbness tb&\Wbat you nave been put to at 35 iroadway. By no meanso You will be put bere to learn, every and' anytbing. Nothing will be expected o:lf you but wnat you say you understand and can do. Everytbirg else will be taught you witb kindness, and nothirg exacted o:lf you tnat is beyond your years, experience and capacity. While you can tlardly be said to know me, you sbould w•han::roxT'lulremember tne lessons I baY1endeavored to inculcate. Dont pretend to know wnat you dont, and do tne ve:iy best you can. These two ma:u:t maxims are all you need to practice to get on witb me as if you and I were botb saints •••••. I write you as I do in con sequence of your well-expressed principles a few mails ago; so tnat you may feel tnat you are not to take your place alongside of an indulgent father always willirg to condom, but rather to assume a post open to you beca.mise of your willingness to encounter the rewards whicb redound to earnestly sustai:md endeavor to advance or receive tne penal. ty of slotnfulness and neglect. n • • • • • ' 39 Jack could not entirely disguise his sadness in parting with the life in New York to which he had become accustomed, for he knew that Panama bad little to offer in the sense of intellectual emulation. However, be put on as brave a front as he found it possible to do, saying bis good-byes to each and all those wno bad been contributii:g to bis happiness these past years, often with a tear in bis beart as well as in bis eye. Just as be was about to board tbe ship, his Uncle Isaac put on his finger a gold, seal rii:g on whicll were engraved tbe French. words, "Droit 6 Avant", Jack wore tbis ring for uany years, It is now in tbe possession of Robert Alan Brandon, ~ ack and ;st Iler :1s grandson, though somewhat· tbe worse for wear. Eefore leaving bellind us, this period of Jack 1s career, we should mention tbat durixg tbe year 1898 David made arrangements for Ethel to join Jack for a limi'tiled time in Isaac 1s home. Simultarieously be arranged for Solly to stop at Anita Pizaes. Jack and Ethel were thrown constantly together, and botb were grateful far the intimacy that followed during the remainder of Ethel 1s life, but Ethel was utterly unhappy in that home and asked to return after but a few months of absence from Panama. Sile acknow- ledged among other reasons that she bad fallen quite in lOTe witb Gustave Eisenmann, wllom sbe had met immediately upon:!,rival in Panama to work in the office of his uncle, Henry Ehrman, just before she had left for New York, Ethel was anxious to see Gus again to find out whether tbe attrac- tion had been mutual, and, as we shall sae very soon, she was nolt disaP pointed. With regard to dear SDlly, his happy nature was cramped and frustrated in the home of Anita and Josh Piza, owing to JoAh 1 s incessant bypocbondria, and he too ret&rned to Panama far sooner tban bad beel!IJ.intended, S~ it happened that when Jack arrived in Panama in ~ecember of 1899, :, he round his famil;w circle completely united for the last time but one in its history. Moreover, be was introduced to a new baby brother, Claude by name, a mild-mannered Adonis from the time he was uslleued into tile world. Dudu now bad nine living children, all still minors, for Jack was but nineteen years old, ,, ~~?~•7,z:7 _/ ~-;Y -,--~ - ? 74·7.-p-~ 1/ -.,(~ ~ ----, . . / n n-J ;>~ ·n:.,,<. • t ~ V / ._. · ~-:nq ,-~zc-J;b _ ·,4,.,~1p .re_,z,--+--f'/7?~, -V,'Y>-7r< -v;l' ~/ 14 p,1 ~-~Z!!:~ -,,._,g '7 '/.~~"¼,7¼? o/ ;p ·__ -~--;:11----;r.;,q_-r,:~Zp-,~?""0 ~ ~ ~#n?_ ~ ...~ ~¥,,'· ~~ '7;<--<4 47 ~?pd~½~ ,? r~-r 4~/ ~ --::/ ,~ --7 ~?-~77,1? ~ r>~yr ~ ~--i,;7 ,-rd/~ ~;;i7 ;hr7o/h ~~;~ ~ ~ ~7/,,,~? ,_~;t7/1, ~,:7 --y,.~?-""/ <7t:~ ~£1"...zlL ~- ~?-7,V p /1,2.d--«, ~~~ ~ ~- ~-:/h -}l <:.?,,_~ ~?ry 7A-'?/7 ~?7"4- '~- ~'/; J J' s • . / 07, C '. . / / "·. ' // . r?J_ L·--'.!<'./'>~_7"' rt.7J / ' ; ·.,., ~-' Y, -. , z~.:;, c };J/ 27 LC.?· - 1 ·:v1 7·7-;7.--:,7/ __...J[ . f /'. J cri . ."-! (,~ · -v,..,,-i;:1'7 ? 7 Y ~ /"'"$-M »;-:n, hc1/ 1---t-<--t . / / -.. u . - . "'--v-:t:7 "Yvv1. u ~ y ·=-L-t.t, _,;.-,,_, ..:-"-;,;, V 7.:7$ =// 7 2',?::J '>;}'-., ~--,.-;,7 ,,...,_..,__,,- rf' . J - h 7 t1 A..{,.T'...,~.?QC' ..11-.... ~-;:; 1 ei>u"I??,: C' Vt: r :,;, ) -\, ~ ~- -. . I'--'( - 7 -~-- 40 It was a happy home-comirg though Jack found many lines in his father 1s face which he had not seen before. ~avid seemed to him thinner and older; his multbplying responsibilities were beginnirg to tell even upon his iron constitution. In all these years that Jack had been living in New York, neither of David's brothers had fulfilled their ta.cit obligation to relieve him in Panama, even for a short period. Jack 1 s first job at the office was as David's private secretary, and the stenographic-book-keeping cour.se he had taken d" durirg the lasj year at Dr. ~achs', plus the two year 1s experience he had had at 35 froadway, with Uncle Nat dictating to him daily, )toad him in good stead now that ,he was witll his father, who was a ~ thinker and quite a rapid dictator. In this way Jack quickly obta.ine d a picture of th~nner wbrkings of the business, thougtl not yet of the buying; and selling techniques, and 1avid seemed pleased at the help he was ren~ering,which often resulted in David maki?l?; unrecorded comments Wllil.~if4 Jack with a. still more intimate JJ understandi?l?; of ullierlying facts. But ~avid., was careful not to make of Jack just an amanuensis. His dictations were restricted to certain hours only, and the rest of the day Jack was unloaded into various other~ depart ments in turn, so that. he could obtain an overall education in ttle busi ness. Jack found it~ very complex at first, but it was quits well organized by Eustace Corina.ldi, the sellini!; and buyini!; being co-ordinated under_!1):_~~p~iP~!?,~,.,:'nd after a while Jack found plenty of order comil:lg out o~ hectic activities. J'ack saw hardwood purveyors comirg to .Javid from out the forests of the Interior, often a tough looking lot, cooly soliciting thousands of pesos worth of merchandise in advance of the felling season, so that they could feed and cclothe their laborers until they could finish floatirg the logs down the flooded streams before the Dry Season came on. They not only took the merchandise on credit, but obtained cash advances from Bavid as well, and Jack wondered whether this could be a safe business to invest in, until Cordinaldi was able to prove to him on tnEfbooks that very rarely indeed were thef:f,any accounts left unbalanced by these people at the ena µ.,_ of each season, and that on tt,, ae few occasions when this happened, the unpaid balances were absorbed in new business the following season. 41 Jack saw an ebony-black Pearl Dealer, Nazario Justiniani by name, relative of Modesta and Qelia who called Jack "Jacobito", wi!la1e mtlllllllmentioned previously in these annals, come am. take with t:lim fifteen or twenty bags eact:1 containing $1000 pesos to pay bis divers and supply ,,_;f ttieir needs over a period, spending someof tnejmoney a I. B. & Bros and ~ elsewhere, or perhaps taking toe fund.sx in payment of a parcel of pearls sold to ~vid 1 to be reinvested in new equipment. at ttle .Pearl tslands wnere " " the fisnirg was dom. Jus~iniani used bead divers at first, but later his crew was furnished divirg macbines, wbicil involved boat equipment as well, Justiniani always sold his pearls to ~avid or - waen they disagreed as to a valuation - had David forward tnem to Paris on a consignment basis, on a division of profits after bot~~~reed ~ a minimum ll t: ~it". Tilis man was quite a master of his art and strictly on the square, and tile .., last transaction that ~vid ever did in business was with him, as will be seen, only tllis; time David could not, conclune it tlimaelf. ·' Jack saw scores of people from the Panam market section and from Interior points come~n to place their orders for case lots of mJUlffl Nestlejs Uondensed Milk from ~witzerland,. Soup-pastes from Italy, Codfish from Norwa1, Salmon from Oregon, Worcestershire ~auce from England, Butter and Cheeses from Holland, Ganned Foods from Ct:licago, Wines and Liquors from France, England, Italy, Spa.in and (Ja.lifornia, Jute bags from Scotland;'t...:,_, + ,~ Rope from the United ctates, etc etc ad infinitum, all bougnt out of local stocks ileld by I. B. & :2ros. He saw a steady stream of customers at tlle windows of tile bankirg department buying ,t;rafts on London, New 'iork, Hamburg, Paris, Milan, etc., 1vhile others were maktng their daily deposits of local silver. (There was then no paper money circulatirg Dn Panama except some American.) He beard ~avid and Corinaldi charteri~ schooners for the Veraguas ~ ' Gol:ii Mining Company for wnom I. B. &: B. were tne Panama. agents, schooners which would transport foods and other supplies to the Mines and bring back gold bars /,h}J',~; ..~ to the home office in Scotland. /t.i,,/;;4 He sa.w,l\passages '~~w on snips ot' tne Royal Mail steam .Packet Company for fritain, Sotikh American and Caribbean ports. ~e weitt with J);i.vid to meet tile scnooners ~ounded nigh and dry on tne snore over a mile distant wnere the, ebbing tid~~eft them; scnoomrs full of native produce smt '/ ..«~ c&,~,(.fJ..),, as rubber,~pearl shells, hides, skins, ivory nuts, ipecac and so fortn, Which ~avid bought. and snipped .e:oE:3 e -iifNat in New york. 42 after sometl:ling over a year of "appreticesl:lip" Jack had made up his 'llind which department he wished to take full ctlarge of in addition to 1 codirg and de-coding all cables and handling ~avid's correspoooencef a great I part of the last-mentioned he was now doing witbout dictation but just writing on his own after consultir:g Pavid's wishes.) He nad decided on taking over tne Produce Department (excluding Pearls), and gave ttie following reasons to his fattier: 1. ·.:o :U:Xlllll: relieve Da.vild of tne harryirg job of appraisement and hagglirg, includirg the overseeing, re-grading and packing ltlti.fflll~ of shipments at warel:louse. 2. Because tbese exports were becomirgll,' increasingly important by providing an abundant exchange balance in New York. 3. Because it kept Jack in constant toucb with his Uncle Nat wno llllllllile f ,} ~,,,;,..,,.~~-··., dtsirosit-tcm of tne produce in New Yorlq. 4. Because this department was by its very nature less routinary than ttta insirle work. 5. Because it kept Jack busy out of tl:le office for two or three hours eacn morning starting at 7 A.M. right in the very center of tl:le Market section of the City wnere l:le could stop and say a few persona words to many regular customrs o::f'the firm and get their slant on anything of poss.ible interest. Tbere was already considerable competition for the purchase of native produce, tb+ost active beir.g tnat of Moses de Castro, wno bougat and sl:lippe d for tbe Fida.nques. The fact is, in the lllajjority of cases tl:le profit lay pc~~ in tile possibilities of re-gradi~ after puircl:lases,, were effected. The 110a,pataces 11 who handled the ordinary labor at tne \Varegouse,.,. nad been taught how to re-grade woile some of tne workers cleaned and otnerlre-packed for export. It was Jack 1 s business to see that tne "Capataces" did tneir selecting witb the utmost diligence, so as to get tl:le benefit of top prices for top selections, even at a sacrifice of tl:le inferiors. It may be stated to Jack 1s credit tnat his Uncle Nat was pleased at the way the department was being; conducted, and this was a source of gratifi cation to ~avid also. It was a hard life, and Jack was pretty weary at bedtime, b~t this helped l:lim to forget the esthetic life be bad enshrined and loved and left behind him in New York, and wbicl:l he never expected to enj oy again. 43 There were two enterprises ,,vhich at this time were causing David some anxiety. He had taken a "fiier" in a Manganese Mine 1vi:jb a man by the !lalll6 of Fillipi, a mining engineer from some section of Europe who had ascertained that the Island, of Oulebra in tne Atlantic off the coast , (... i I f j , JfiSI I t,.t ~,z. i$.L'J..i,, of Bocas del Toro, :H1G.tk)v:e:tam1-t port in Colombia, 1vas solid manganese of good quality. Ttlis Fillipi was absolutely on toe a.quare. But on one occasion David made tne trip from Panam to Bocas dei Toro an:m thence by sail boat to Culebra to see for himself, bringing back samples wtlich were found to be thorougl:lly mercbantable in tne United States. Ttlere was not a tree on tne Island; all supplies, includir.g water l:lad to be brougnt from Boca.a. But this was not all. The seas, ~,..,,'J.;, were so stormy around tnat section, arulltne, formation of tne Island sl> .mt~ of manganese, tbat it was unsafe for ,;.,, any ship to come aloill,l;side durirg _,, gale. :But Fillippi bad fai tl:l that a way would be found for loadir.g just as a way had been found to fetch supplies anc! went al:lead wi tl:l his plans f'nr erectizg; workmenI s quarters on tne Island, i~radullly placir.g mini:r:g equipment where operations were to start. Living conditions were at best hazardous on the island, as at times tbe seas rose like mountains and almost covered it 1 auI ital$, but notbing daunted Phillippi and his brave crew. On several occasions David was inclined to quit the business, but Phillippi assured tlim that headway was continuing; that millions of dollars to be had for the askitg meo.n that island, and tbat by the next summer season David could charter a ship to load the first shipment for New York. Ptlillippi kept his word. Ttle next summer he reported havirg ~ number of tons of Wa.nga.nese at rtavid 1 s disposal. A ship was chartered in New York and came fairly close to the Island, but could not get alongside to load. Ttle demurrage was terri:fh:. Finally the ship found a way to stay alongside lor:g enough to load a limited quantity; then ner Captain departed tn order not to lose a.nothaer job for wnictl she was chartered. The manganese was sold in New York at a satisfactory price, but tne shipment showed, of course, a dead loss. An ~ert opinion was consulted in the Uni'lad titates as to now to proceed the next time - about a yea:ir: later. The recommendation was that a high jetty be constructed from ~UNtr.,tV, tne Island ~:::tt).;.3-, wnere there would be no jagged rocky foulli::a.tions to imperil the ships. Tbis was done witnout delay the same year wnile tne weather still permitted, and all looked hopeful till the time came for loading the next yea:r. When the snip arrived the gales were incessant, £!?_1;!st a.s though it were the Winter season, ann a great part of tn~ettyl.,1.,t - destroyed by toe implacable beati · ?Jg it rel'!A"'tVP.tL 'l'ho <'!'k-4..-. ...,._.,..,...,._.__..:, 44 to New York wittl utterly adverse reports, and tnese reports madf it a.lmost ·.mpossible to secure furtl:ler ctlarters in ttle United States. But one last time Bavid and Ptlillippi determined to tlave a try, especially as a large amount of manganese tlad been mined and was reauy for sbipment. The next summer was to be ttle ;final test. Again ttle jetty was demolistled in places,. but one stlip mnaged to take an a considerable load, wl'li·ch met a ready market • J-f.t'1V_,. But ttle Oulebra account~stood at about 40,000 Colombian Pesos on ttle books, and with so many otner excellenll. irons in the firef6liddecided that tle would no longer continue this venture, He so informed Phillippi, wno left for Europe dejected anmi broken, and it ;vas not long before news came of his demise. Be it said tnat bottl !!avid and Ptlillippi~t~ieB~Wai~'rlb~i~r their interests in the Mine, but without success. AS far as lack knows nothing has ua ever since been done to extract and ship the precious metal from Culebr~ 'Jii1le0ii>I , enterprise in which the loss was far smaller, but wbich annoyed !avid considerably was a Finca in Perequet!, near La Cborrera, in Panama, lh~b :tiavid foreclCBed bec~usex one Perigault, the original owner, had provedAbotb crooked and incompetent. after ~avid~s deatb ttlis Finca was sold at a consid.erable loss, for it never produced enough to cover tne overhead. Its products were Saco (Proof Rum} and Cocoa.nuts. Jack bad been there on occasion to make reports regardirg Perigault 1s business gyrations. (l, ..',m,~ But these two miss-fires were but an iota 1111the Homeric enterprises ~ which !avid carried to fruition and success. r·Lpas ar.@!tllldtbis time that ~~ he and nis group of friends purchased from th~ 1 Government ttle sole right to import,.. tobacco in all forms, cigars and cigarettes into Panananian territoiry. ibis was a good deaJ. for Colombia for it had been proving impossible to put a stop to the contraband tbat ~tas comi~ ttc h over tne border. :But Da:wid and bis frieruis organized an e:fficient control by interesti~ toe inspectors •/;,,.-.~-,-~;,:,,,,,z..~.~ in .W contraband~::wae-eaugbt to e: larg,:. ..J!its:,1;,and continuirg to take care of them, suitably until the end of tneir service. This was a business tnat yielded large dividends to eacb and all. (:,.CUw--C , A snort\time af\~f.;'.~e,,;_sa~ ~:'~~~~~ugnt the/\concession for importit1g alc)'lohol, \ wood and grain,)~a-rctmt:n "'beverages. These concessions lasted a.,.., until the time that Panama becameAindependent country, when all concessiom granted by Colombia were declared null and void, :oavid 1s next move with his group was to purchase the out-moded Electr:lo 45 Light Plant moved fro.m ~artagena to Panama by Juan Mainero y '£rnco. This was accomplished without much difficulty, as Mainero was having a hard time V ~~A.I ,( ,./·.< • .Jl to direct it from Cartagena where he was 1in business, and no profits were ~ / \ beirg soown in the operation of' the plant. As a matter of fact, flavid and his friends were not interested in momentary profits. They wanted to own toe sole concelllion that came with the plant, so that when the right time came they would be in a position to raise all the money it might need to put up a modern Electric Light and Ice plant. As a matter of fact, the new _plant In which it is Shown how Events often cast their lights and shadows before them. l2&l1i:2li~lx 1900-1901 ,, ..,-3 . .:;J,'$~dA'.I'...«,., J;Jr..,l.l.~ ---~Ci/..,i!A-~ During the year 1900 the 'dashing ton Government t.~ al J 11 fl u00ilaly ~ to bring the Government in Bogota to terms regarding tne transfer of the Canal Concession to the United States. The French Company In Liquidation likewise brought all its influence to bear in the same direc tion, using for this plilrpose the talents of its attorney, Bu~Varilla. The Panamanians, moreover, were chafing bitterly over the protracted negotiations which did not seem to be getting a;nywehe~e. ~ensing the growing hostility of the Panamanians, Bogota indulged in a little act of what might be termed "appeasement"; for the first time in a great many years they appointea a Panamanian insteao.. of a Colmbian, Governor of Panana ~rovince. They selected Domingo 0baldia, a cattle merchant and ,,-...~ weal thy rancher of Davld, , in Chiriqui, incidentally an excellent friend 1 and customer of David. But as far as the Canal was concerned, nothing whatsoever was done. The fact was,:few Colombia was cynically certain nu the United States woula never decide in favor of the J:Ucaragua Route; that eve,ntually they would get theJPrice they had in mind for the transfer of the Concession. But, as ;;e shall soon see, tn~ was the time uolombia reckoned without her hoot, the "host" being a brave group of men v1itn Panama's interests 3.t hea:;rt, who ,10re r!iady to risk all should a propitious moment arrive, and who felt confident that in an emergency they could count upon the_ suppo::rt of their great Neighbor to the North whose political ')~.. .,,,,J.~ 11 : a,1 made this short cut uniting two oceans a peremptory necessity. At tnis juncture a huge fire broke out in the wealthy anli busy Chinese c6uarter of tne City of Panama; one of tnose;histcr ic blazes one reads or hears about but rarely has occasion to see, consuming several blocks of houses and stores anti causing tremendous losses. To cap the climax there was practically no water, for the tide was "out", the tide which was the only nope of subduini; any fire, great or small. There were the out-moded engines and hand-pumps, and willing volunteers to operate them, but none of tne preci ou,s liquid which meant the difference between ruin and well- being for several tn ousand workers. :tlavicd extended himself greatly in coming to tne economic rescue of this numerous Colony, one of his staunchest supporters during the crisis caoo:ed by the faihlure of the French Canal Company. He earned their undyirg affection by proceeding in this wi.se, After this awe-inspirir:g conflagration he made up his rnirui that the City must no longer be at the mercy of th1o ~~-~ With the assistance of 1 ocal engineers, an erfecti ve means was devised of impound ins: sea-water at high tide close to shore in iii:widely distributed series of immense cement tanks equipped with automatic valves, opening under the pressure of the incomir:g tide anl closir:g when the pressure was re:l..ieved at ebb. One tank was concluded before another was star-eed, so that at no time again could there be an absolute lack of water. The~ job was a slow one, but continuous for almost two-and-a-half years until all were finis,hed. ±iav:ii. was elected Comandante en Jefe del Cuerpo de Bomberos during this, time, with full authority to rnouernize the Corps and install up-to-date equipmerito In future, the services of voluntec>rs would no longer be necessary to man I the pumps and haul the materiel to tne scene of the fire. It may seem incongruous at this; point to bring in dornest:bc matters, but our chapter covers 11Events 11 , without specifying their nature, and it is important that we rnenti on tne arrival another son to L'udu, one to wnom David gave tne name of Ralpn, after the given name of Ralph Waldo Emerson, the New England philosopher, essayist and poet wnose wri tiig;s appealed so ~ 1 trongly to Da.vid, and whose ~a philosophy has left so deep a mark upon Che thinking of Jack throughout his adult life. It is also appropriate at this point to mention that Jack completed his majority on August 4th 1901, $ia,vmch~ae to give a very large party in celebration of this event, guests beiig; invited not only from tbe Jewish elements,, but, on this occasion,from a:ll tne community as a whole. David I s idea was to impt'ess ':t'.rtne mind. of his first-barn that this was not lik~ any other anniversary; that he was now quite on his own and~~lpected to make good on bis own. He sairl this, or words to this effect,when he spoke, and Jack answered to the best of his ability,receivin; a good ovation, Lookiig; back on the occasion, Jack realizes that this was rea.i.ly a turning point in his career, arn he ~as been grateful to his father for bringing it to pasi.. • Sone tina after Ralph was born, a serious accident tlappened to Stanley while he was playing with some of th~other children on tne porch of the seconu floor of theiI.r home. He had in his hands a lorg pole used to brizg down guayabas from a tree in the garden. In some unaccountable way the foot of the pole got wedged in between the trellis-work of the I porch railing, and its poinied end penetrated deep into one of Stanley_ s thighs. ;; A physician was in the house in snort order, and the wound probed and A pbysician was in the house in short order, and the wound probed and cleansed. The exterior area quickly became highl;w inflamed and ugly, and the probing had proved that it was also very deep, though fillaed with crushed flesh, so that the doctor remarked that it would probably have to be kept open for consiaerable time arui given daily treatment. On one o:if his early visits Stanley complained of difficulty irpwall owing. Alas, the poor boy had contracted tetanus! The Reader can imagine how great was the shock to the whole family. There were no specific.::; in those days to avert or cure this dmsease. It simply had to run its coussere~p~ 1the only hope lay tn the patient's ability to hold out under artificial~feedir.g, inasmuch as he must be kept constantly unuer the influence of chloral. Aunt :011s practically never left Dudu's sio.e during this awful ordeal. (or weeks the disease dragged, Stanley lookiqi; more like a skeleton each day, but the doctors insisted that he was holdin:,; his own. ;i,t,w 48 And tney ,vere ri;;nt, Lils optimism 1vas justified, and her vigilance and ,'\ devolied nursing were beautifully rewarded wnen it became evident that Stanley was beginning to swallow again; tnat he wanted to talk when the doses of' enl oral were gradually tapered down. It was quite a time before Dudu as well as Stanley 1vere stro~ enough to travel, but as soon as tney were the doctor recomt.ended tnat tney botn be taken away for a change; tnat care must be taken to avoid Stanley 1s wound closeng from the outside as it had a tendency to do, Dudu _did not 1vant to go to New York, .:.;~ ·I 1,-_Jj,,. so ;iyavid- decided tney should go to Jamaica for a snort time, Where they I ,, would be received by Da.vid_s,., cousin, Isaac Sil~eira Brandon and his sisters Constance (Connie) and Hannah in Kingston. These were the three children of old.Nathaniel Brandon. Isaac was married :bl and had one child, a daughter named Iris; Connie was married to Mr. -7daniel I. Motta, and had five children, tnree boys and two girls, reppectively, Edgar, Lily, Ernest,Sylvia,and llfred. Hannah lived with her sister Cbnnie and was unmarried. After spending a few days in Connie 1s magbif1cami home in the sublirbs of Kingston, duri>:g wllicb they receiv-eid innumerable proofs of tneir • whole-souled hospital•ty, our three travelers spent something less than a week at Constant Sprirg Hotel. Dudu did not like it there, so Connie arranged for them to receive an invitation to visit Mr. Barham and his family at their farm and gorgeous estate way out in tile country beyond The Monigue, Mr. farham being the father of the lovely yourg lady wno Edgar was about to marry. But Dudu did not feel •ell and wanted rest rather than attentions, so after four or,_five days Isaac s. got rooms for them at a quiet hotel in Mandeville, wherd the~ spent a full week. Judith.could hardly wait to return to Pana.ma, and Stanley's wourui troubled him plenty, though Jack thoroughly treated it daily as bad been instructed. Jack remembers one wild ridd he had in Mandeville. He had been loaned one of those big, bony English trotters, whose rough pace kept him Off the saddle-seat most of the time. Ev'identl~ the horse disapproved of Jack 1s uncomfortable motions, and decided to get bim off. But Jack knew how to stay on, eTen tnougl:l he bad never ridden a trotting horse before. So unexpectedly the horse took tlis bit between bis teeth (something Jack had never experienced before) and headed at a breakneck speed whither Jack did not know. Suddenly tile town enjoyed the spectacle of the racing beast and Jack deliriously grabbirg the reins across his long neck. The gentle animal stopped suddenly, th:ls.; time a.Lmost jerking Jack off the f saddle and there tney were at the very gate of the animal~s,., own stall. J A : 19 Prom remarks which Jack heard that same afternoon, Ile gathered·that the toqnspeople were quite accustomed to the antics of this horse, and that others besides himself had been made the butt of this strange sense of Jamaican humor. This had been Jack•s first visit to that country, and he has never been back since, nor did he ever see Isaac Silveira Brandon and tlanMotta again. Both tbese men were killed by falli~ walls in their respective drygoods stores duri~ the awful Jamaica. eartnquake a few years later. The other members of both families visited New York a few times years later, and Jack saw them there, with the exception of Connie who died shortly after the earthquake. Ernest established a business in Panama after his motner 1 s death, and married Emily, a lovely girl, daughter of ·'i Isidore and Julita ~£,o ~ ~~ /~ ~·- ~, ~ ~- ~ J~ ~. ~ ~~ ..~ c_.~ ~ ./. , ~ ,,c&~ ~ ao /4--~.~ ~~4_ £'~,~A-~-~ 4~ ~ ~~~~ ~ ~~~~_/ ~~07<-o~'./i~.~~ ~~~ ~J~ ~~ ~~ ~~~ ~ ~~ ~ 4-_~)L~~~~ ~,d/~~~~~/~ -d __,a~ ~Y:?a-~; , , ,.,..?/ . ,:? L2 , . ~~ ?'6~ ·~ ~ ~· /,L,~~ ~~ d~ c7 (;AL3L':: ADPl'i::5:S "GR!T7'' NCW 'i 0<"1i< N. BRANDON cor.:PAl'JY, ,:• 17 BATTERY PLJlCE NEW YORK October J, 194.0 My dear Jack: No, most assuredly no, I have not been wait ing for you to compl9te your second sexagenary before ans wering your recent letter on the occasion of your having attained the fi.r st cycle. I was simply recuper5. ting from the effect of having it brought home to me that if you had been already overtaken by three score years, what position mine must be by the same r eaclwning ? But rather than reviewing the years over my head I will go back some fifty-eight years when I had a picture taken of you on my knee in P&namB., at which time I wore a mustachio like a pirate's and you gave every in fantile promise of growing into & sturdy, handsome manhood. The happenings in those intervening years are what make me pause lest I be seduced into giving expression to the emotions they would evoke, not that I would have you think there had not been innumerable happy and unforgettable ones. If I can find that picture among other relics you will surely get.it from me. In congratulc.ting you on the happy event, I feel every confidence in your enjoying many_, many decades more of robust health, for you too have broken the spell and tradition of the fatal "49" which hung over our family upto the passing of your Uncle Isaac. So,once more, dear Jack, here's to you, to Esther and all the children that those coming years may be still fuller v!i th sunshine and loving family unity, exemplified by those immortal words of Robert Browning which you quote6- in your a6-dress toERelat±es and Frien6-s". That address I read Hi th deep interest, as it reflected like a beautiful etching E,11 the sidelines of the "little Jack" I have alvn:ys known. And now as to Earl. The evening he spent wtih us was in every way delightful, and it would be too flatter ing to him to tell you the favorable impression he made on me. So favorable, in fact, that until I see him again I must vdthhol6- a conviction 5.bout his being just what .!. conceived to be his whole char;:cter, If time permits I may &nswer his letter also. Of course you must know hov; pained I am to hear about your aunt Anna, and do hope she may soon recover and enjoy without suffering many more years oS' her beautiful ,,ncl useful an( unselfish life. I v,TotE: her a fev.' lines some days ago. Love to bsther ana all others in your· gropu and with an abrzo, ~ affect I ly ,1' ,,- "·/ u~ "-, 50 happy indeed, and it was ha.rd to hide from Miss Rosalia Moses and her watchful sister, Sussanan. Nevertheless, as lackls visit was to be a short one, be was allowed to continue calling at tbe Scbool, and found man,y opportunities to snow bis preference for Estber anli to bear from Gladys tbat Esther was a bit impressed witb nim too. Estber was a petite, graceful, blue-eyed girl witn a deep dimple in ber obeek wniob belped ligbt up an every-ready smile. Her good-obeer was prollerbiaJ. in the Sobool, and was contrasted in ~ack,~s mind witb the rattier pbl~ma.tic ways ot tbe girls in Panama. Gladys had made no mistake wben she wrote him that here was a girl be could reaJ.ly care for. Their partirt;t was "reserved ., because of not being really al.one, but Esttler promised to answer if he wrote, and meant it. The oorrespona.ence between tbem grew into a weekly exchange of letters as soon as Jack returlted to Pana.ma, and Jack did not delay to inform bis parents wllat was bappenirt;t to llim. David and nldD. were shocked to reaJ.ize tbat their first-born was already old enougb to llarbor tbe thougbt o:r an earlY marriage. They ltn~i~t'Kli•Ja.ck was not ot tile flippant or fickle type, Mo-e,wcJ and promised tbat be would be soon given anotber opportunity to visit New Yark and find out if first impressions were mutually confirmed. Tilis ma® quite a change in ~id 1s immediate plans for Jack. He bad intended tnat Jack should spend a tew months in :Paris to study the otller end of the Pearl !'1z~ss witll llr. ¥-azard Callen, wno was associated with iDaTid in tile purchase"of pearls, Par:ia beirt;t th-e natural world market /;\I., for tbem, jtst as, f'or instanoe,Antwerp ..s tile natural world center for diaaonds. Now Davi.di discarded this idea, offering to teaoll Jack r:l.gbt on tile spot in Pana.ma.whatever Ile ilimseif bad learned witb loqr experience. He was bappy about 1aok's desire to settle down early, and assured ~stller in a letter be wrote Iler tilat Ile would do all in bis pOll'er to fUrtber tbeir plam for an early marriage. Toward tile end·of 1901, n!du presented i>a.villlwitb his fourtb daugllter, wilo tlley naaed Doris. She was a lovelY cbild, very tin,y, tben, ~ with lirigilt, dll1lk:eyes. Witil tile memory Ot' Joyce still often witb Iler, n!du was~ sP3oially happy with tile advent of this baby. II A few.months later wben a minor matter of busimss came up suggesti~ personal discussion; Jack was allowed another snort trip to New York. Tllis time he visited :EstIler.'. s parents at tilehr nome in :Bradford, penn. Tiley would not bear ot his goirt;t to a botel; they wanted to observe 51 bim at close rax:,ge\ no doubt. Never> bad Jack beheld so united a family, nor a more inspiriig one. Felix.Steinberger was a man of rare equanimity; a man of exq~isite, innate probity, and a devoted husband and fattier. His wife, Uar;y, bad a sparkliJlg nature, and an air of sweetness ?J:itaded all Iler actions. This quality endeared ber to all wbo knew ber, be• a.aaglife lox:,g. Her practical wisdom kept her safe from being taken advantage of, and in ber own, inimitable way she guided her children into a mutUalit;y of affection wbicb Jack bas never seen surpassed. Her you~est daugbter, Regine, was about two years old wben Jack rang tbe iiiiilitxifx-iil¼ixbome the first time. Sbe was with her Mother when it was opened, put ber little band in Jack's and said, ttcome in and see the Cook"• And Jack was immediateJ;v relieved of all sense of strangeness, especially wnen Ile looked up at the smilii:g countenance of his fu:itture mottler-in-law. Esther's two brothers, Emil and William, were also tbere to greet bim, and tnese boys wno nave never married, were as equally the devoted pals or tbeir parents ll~!ne two girls,trom childhood to tile end ~ tbeir belo-red parent 1s lives. Jack was ~ I . promptly introduced to Estber ..s grandparents, Philip and .l:'auline Nusbaum, t -- wbose-bome was next door~ to tile~ Steinberger~s. Ibe same fervent unity was evident hen,' .. indeed,Pbilip Nu5baum was-a man beloved by bis community I for his unsparing cnarities and pJlrsona.l kindnesses to those wno were less fortunate than bimself. The old couple had four cbill:drEln, two boys and two girls, and. itt was not lo~ before they all adopiB d Jack as one of their . I own, because Jack asked fo:cr '5tller ~ s hand accordi~ to tile old scb~ to wnicb he belonged, rigbt to her father himself, after Esther and hf lf bad spent a little time by themse1ves. The ex:,gegement·was duly announced, a lovely reception given at the Steinberger home, and happiness reigned supreM. It was on this abort trlp that lack.saw bis Uncle Monty for tbe last time. Jack was shocked to see bow flaccid and pale be bad becom in the abort intervening time. ffe told Jack that the operation had now become a peremptory necessity; tnat·~ it was very serious becaus¥ tile complication of tile other kidney. Jack tried bis best to appear not too deeply concerned, but the look in Jlonty~s and Lydia 1s faces bespoke tbe alarm tllat clutctied ~ at botb tneir hearts. 52 Chapter 1, Panama Makes political History 1902 At the start of the year 19~ies in Washirgton seemed more than ever inclined to favor the a!1:,aF11a:teroute for a Canal ttlrough Nicara gua •. So articulate was ttle Press in ttlis regard ttlat ttle Panamanians inveighed stlarply against Colombia,' s imperturabili ty. This was the time when Bogota over-played its hand. The powerful group of friends led by Dr. Manuel Amador Guerrero ' received advice from Bunau-Varilla that certain persons in Washington had learned sympathetically of their desire to be rid of the tyrannical domi nation of Colombia. This placed an entirely different aspect upon the whole matter. Now Dr. Amador had reason to solicit financial support from his friend David and his group, who lost no time in furnisllixg tile necessary lubrication. EVery smallest detail required the utmost caution, for any premature gesture would have precipitated destructive retaliation at tile hands of Colombia.,a;There is no doubt tbat-'1~,;~;4a~s naiv~~ -, tion that Panama was at ~..J:/'~ all times of tropps J liwtl w. from iaranquilla and 0artagena,~caused the The Reader will note that Isaac Brandon 8o Bros. in New York bad no part in the draua. The fact was that Bunau-Varilla and Josh Lindo- were well known to one another, and were in each other 1s confidence. Rapidly and secretely tile ranks of the woubl-be rebels grew. Dr. Amador•s supporters included pivot men such as Francisco de la Ossa, then Alcalde of Panama, Domingo Obald1a, the Governor himself, and last, but not least, Victor1ano Huerta, the little Oholo, General-in-chief of the Colombian army stationed at Panama. By tile last of October everything was in readiness for.the coup d'etat. Before noon on November the second 1902, ;David had left bis office to make a short visit to a neigllboritE frieXIIL Jack was standing . -. at the front entrance wllen a messenger lad handed him a cablegram~ u. Openii:g tbe envelope nonc~ntly, Ile noticed it was addressAto Gritzbran and bore noJsignature. ~ consisted of but Ol'le word, evidently in code. ,ssumii:g it was from tile New York Office be got out tbe numerous private codes utilized by tile New York firm solely for tile Panama HOIB:e. He failed to xua:a locate tile word, and snowed tbe message to Oorixialdi. :Between tbem tllllY.)'tried several o:f tbe publi•bed oodes witbout result. Just tben iDl.viatreturned and glanced over taeir snoulders. He emitted a very audible sigll of relief. took tile message out of t.be:tr bands ano. left witilout any e;cplanation. Later Jack and Oorinaldi were informed by llim tl'lat tile message bad been a signal to tile Revolut~ionary Junta for immediate preparation of ~inal details; tllat a warsl'lip witb customary escort would be in Colon l'la.rbor tile next morning at daybreak. Tile message bad of course ~een sent by Joab Lirub on behalf of :Bunau-Va.rilla. Tbat evenirg and tnat nignt not a sirgle untoward sound was beard, but to tt:iose ~ in tbe know.. tile atmospbere was teme witb restraint d excitement. If sometbirg sbould go wrorg, wnat would be00.llll8of tile rirg-leaders? :But notbirg did go wrorg~ Snor1after dawn tbe next day, November tbe third, a telegram came from Colon from the port autboritie s tbat tbe American llattle-cruiser Kearsage (tlle f:!rst, old Kearsage), and two ;unboa.ts were in tile offing. Simultaneouely tbe noise..... and bustle start.ed in tbe streets of Panama., tbe m,ws goi~ round that 1ille rebellion bad started, and that tbe citizem were to join it to d~~ the ind""endence-,:r of Panama . ...,n,,,11...,. 1 from Colombia. It was really a popular,.reYoltuion, for all tbe citizenry was fed up witb Colombian misrule, and peace and prosperity were at laat in sigbt under tbe aegis Of tile Worla 1s great Power, tne United Sta'b s. -!llllr ~thusiasm was built up in a matter of eai• bours; the str~s were full of marcbi~ '!tttJtfacclaiming the ffepublic of Panama. Information waa cabled to BOjfota by Governor Obaldia that the Aneriean men-of-war were at Colon and tnat the Panamanians 11ad declared their inddpendence from Colombia. B~ota cabled back tllat heavy reinforcements of troops were being sent from jartagena to Oi>lon immediately to co-operate with ttbe Army in Panama. Naturally tnat day was spent in joyful anticipation of tbe coming event. Tile Colombian Transport arrived the followirg mornirg. Tbe !aptain prepared to land bis troops, but quickly received a message f:m:imtbe $aptain of tile ~earsage to tile effect tnat tile City of Colon bad been leased by Colombia to tbe Panaua failroad Company, An American Corporation, far a term of 99 years, and tbat tbe United states GOYernment would not permit any troops whatsoever to land within the area oJr Colon, or penetrate wherever 54 American liVes Ql' American property migbt be imperilled. Tbe Colombian tapta1n replied that bis Gove1trmrentconsidered its dominion over anj and all sections of its own territory inviolable, and not subrogated to commercial treaties; and tnat preparations would :t¥continua;ll' f'1r tne landing of bis troops to quell tile reported revolution. The Anerican Captain answered in effect; 11ATTEMP'l'A LANDINGAND WE WILL BLOW YOUR MEN AND TRANSPORT TO BITS". There was utter silence for several hours until the Colombians could get their instructions from Bcgota. Without 1!111111'further exchaDge of messages witb tne 1earsage, the Transport slipped out of Colon harbor just as she had entered it. She was never heard from again. It is to be noted tbat on June the 28th, that is to say about four montbs earlier;· the French Canal Compaey bad sold all its properties on tile lstbmus as well as its Charter to build the 0aml to the Uni~ d states Government fQl'·forty millions of dollars. Tbis is palpable evidence that the United States never seriously considered closi~ for tile Nicaragua Route , and was a. virtual invitation to Colombia to come to terms, or e1se •••• •• \le tilis as i tr,. ma:y, Pans.ma.was now an independent 'epublic, and wi tn out loss of time sold to tbe Unit. d stiti9~Re~~!p of land t111pwc:,dri11J:f ten miles wide across tile ~sthmus, for tbe sum of ten·millions of dollars. Tile United States also agreed to pay in to tlle Treasury of Panama eacll year tlle sum of ~50 1 000, startizela,fter Dina years. &'"' .A4-.-r - ..~ "Fs,<10,,,. '!'bus was Panama':s indepeJdence attained, and Colombia balked if ber venal attempt to obstn:uct world progress in trie !astern ij81lispbere. kever tlleless tbe United States paid to Colombia several years later tbe sum of forty millions of dollars in full settlement of claims arisim; from.._ circumstances ·connected witn tile transference of tile Oana.l Charter, this beirg tbe same amount as bad ariginally been offered to ber by tbe United States. ~aey persons criticize the action of Tbeodore RooseTelt and John Hay in bavirg abetted tile Pana.Ila ~evolution, and there may be lustice in tlleilt' point ot view, but intercontinental waterway-a such as the ~amma and Suez Oamls itttfttraucll transcendenr'1nternational ~ :11.sa.a to condone actions which would not mid:Jllie~,~~der other circumstances. Tbese waterways are literally .g:.safety-valves ;G-.l~1~ -111.af..r...,.....:r ~~. lUJI At!~,.rd. c~.....-, ""--·Atc ..11.0+,~ ~--,.. ~ ~ ~ ·.~ ~ ~ ~ ~duu,: 9 & ~ .7 /4 ~~ , i. ! ~ ..(.(..... ,c:_,. ~ ~ M-'14l«• uv>f' A~~~/ ~-tin,,...A. ~ ;J; av.~ ~ ~ ~. ~ ~ ?-4- , d. #ft·"o1•-,l!I-? ~..u,. ,·,.,.. ~ ~ ~ ,e,. ,,--;, /900 '.r. Ollapter 14 55 A Great Lignt snone, tnen $bone no More. 1903 After tile many festivities tnat followed Independence Day were tbings of tne Past, and general busiress tnro~nout tne country took on a settled and confident tone, everyom I s tbougtlts were pinmd to.>,toe ea.nal and wna.t ~ ...,.,_a,-.,.$ it was goi:rg to mean to eacb bumble worker :rd Ii iii: tne more privileged classes. 'IE innovations introduced by tile Americans were astounding to tbe ,people of' tne country, ,and were not oon:f'im d solely to the Canal Zone but IA!fl!.t..,,,;. ,..,,,{t_,,-,e,•.• ..r s tbe sanitation and 1mp1e,ed of tne two terminals, tne cities oJf' Panama and Colon. Tbe streets were re-paved in Titrified brick in Panama, and kept clean at all times. Old sewers were dug up lso1U of tllem four hundred years old; none of tb.em fnnctioning); war on tile mosquitoes and draining of surrounding swampy lands was para.mount in tne wark carried on by Dr. William o. Gorgas, cnief sanitation expert. Tbe fanal Zone took on a different profile; one could see tllat it would soon become an Americanized Colony witb all tne comtarts a.nd advantages that migbt be possible in a trppical resort. Large numbers of Americans caim dom, not ol:ll.y under e:rgagement to tile u. s. Government., but on tbeir own,looi::ing tar an early opportunity to make money directly or indirectly becaueeof tbe t111getB'i>iien of funds tllrougbout tne land. Tbe Pana.1111.Governmnt paid all .t:ta debts origimting in its 1nce:p tion a.ml proceeded to retire Colombian Ooin in favor or its own coinage. Exchange witb tbe United ~tat:es was automatically stabilized; two Panama pesos to om: Amrican dollar, and American money was admitted as legal tender. David was extremely busy witn respect to tne Electric Ligbt and Ice Plant, a naw Administrator for wn1cb bad been sent down by Isaac, inasmuch as new equipmnt bad been purchased a.nil muon of' it was already on tile way to be installed. _ suddenly ~ exc;.~~:~;. enginee:b and charming gentleman contracted ~ell ow fffer, M ga tbis was vecy mucb on tile wane, and quickly passed away. Ttlis greatly sbooll:ed \avid, Wbo bad been feeling •', pretty poorly for a wbile due to a. beavy catarrllal condition wnicb made bis voice muon mar~busky tban ever, and congested nis cnest. ~e tlad grown muco tninner and one could see tnat if ever a man needed a respite from work, 'it was ne. He did write bis brotners tnat be was exceedingly tired, and asked one of tnem to come down to relieve bim. Tiley answered tbat be sbould come up first, a.ml tney would then see to arra:rge wllo would go down to Pa.ne.m. 56 David replied tllat this was n and obtained bis promise tbat be would personally see Dudu through ber confinement. Dr. Amador fulfilled tbis promise faitbfully, as will be later seen. Isaac and Nat had been informed by cable as soon as Davim1 s condition became precarious, and Isaac and Solly left as quickly as possible for Panama. Tbey did not arrive in tim, bowever, to see illa.vid alive, but were at Jack's side in the funeral procession. Jack could surmis;e tbe tbougbts that must have been disturbil'.lg Isaac's peace, for be knew that David 1s plea for relief by one of the brotbers had remained ignored. Now the emergency was here, and Isaac was utterly unprepared for the events that were about to transpire, witb which we sball sbortly be concerned. The grandeur of tbe funeral cortege was proof of the esteem in wnich Davi~ was held by ricb and poor, by native and fcreigner, by men of every race and color in Panama. ll'ifteen hundred ~cbed bebind the men of faviafJ.ls family to tbe little Jewish cemetery, not very far outside of tile city limits. First cam tne Military ~and of wbich t;be conwctor was Santos Jorge, a friend of ~avid 1s. Next came Jla.vid1 s body in a simple casket mounted on a gun-carriage, followed by a squad o:r soldiers wbo were to fire the Comandante 1s volley over bis grave. Next cam various hearses j filled with floral offerings; and then the great multitude of which we nave spoken above. There was nothing sectarian about /David~s interment, for tbe ~ewisll Community had no Habbi. A short Psalm and prayer 1&6read over bis grave, and nothing more. Tbe Bishop, wbo was a very special friend of "'vid and i,tqa:• wBi~oved to play chess with bim, ordered tbe latbedral :Sells to be ru:rg wben tbe fUneral cortege started. lhis was qui'lie alien to QatllDlic protocol, considering that ililavid was of the Jewish faitn, but Ol.4k(llc. no one seemed to think it strange or out of place. ill soci8,i groups, all business houses remained closed durix:g the bours of the funeral. A whole community of 501 000 people united to show their admi~1:J.??.£a-i1 respect :Ill for iDavid Brandon, who had meant so much •o so many;dJ I £ f]n that the beholder could not g_elp but wollli~~~.°4 this small segment o:r humanity '# ,iit .teU1M ,,..,,I() • was goi~ to adjust itself~witnout his helpful personality to encourage it as in the Past. David passed away on August 10th, less than two months ~J3'i:&.~'fl~ f lla-ve completed bis 48th year of life on earth. ~e left lf children, ,.all minors' but two. HJJ!t!i!J?~would have many problemns, to be suTe, but she w~o see ~ev~~~. i~b~~ ~ell-beirg, despite Iler 0 p!'esbtatsJ : oad1tlun at this ·~ 1m11rt. 58 cnapter 15 :ousim ss He-adjustments. Wben the doors of Isaac Brandon & hothers were again opened for business, Isaac was somewnat non-plussed. It must be remembered that owirg to his own failure to relieve thai,e yea.rs of indefatigable labor, he was ,of/A. llavTct~'J.1 . wv,41/; acquainted witn only a very few of the persons wno bad !:L t' the axis of David's group; though of course he had met tnose few;;: ..~ bad occasion to visit New York and seek ~ replenishment of fun:lls wbile tbere. Moreover, it weighed beavily on Isaac's mind that Corinaldi could not possibly be considere,L• capable of undertaking the general management of the business owing to .:1;1te extreme degree of ,a dea.tness, which was evidently progressing to totality. Jcak, on the other band, was too young and inexperienced to be entrusted at tnis time with so heavy a responsibility. As far as either Isaac himself or Nat coming down to reside perma.nanil~ in Pana.ma and take cbarge, tbia was q~ite out of tne question. They just would not make tbe sacrifice• Isaac and ~at tberefore agreed tnat tne best thii&; for tne time being would be to invite Mr. Alexander Morrice to retarn and substitute for David, at least for a few years until Jack would nave ripened sufficiently to take charge. The business receiwcd quite a severe shook about 10 days after David bad!.passed away. This came from a rather unexpected source; namely, tne Ellrman l'lank:, tile proprietll:",'S ot Wb~b wera tne two uncles of Gus Eisenmann. This firm nallf.always cbafed because of having to be satisfied to 'Q second .:G'.!:";r Id in tbe foreign exchange field. Now tney could not reaist tbe temptaltion to declare their iruilependenoe and by so doing place 1saac in an adverse position. They notified all Panama merchants that they would not suppa:-t the p~lioy af stabilizing rates in tne future. That hencefartb the risk would have to be ba:rne by tnose to wbom it pertained; tnat is to say, by the buyers, not the sellers. Tbat this new policy would compel tbem, as sellers, to cut their margin to a minimum, wb:b::h they were :i.r,epared to do. Tile result M' tnis cbange of policy was tnat merobants wno would never have oonsi!iered buyixg exchange in fi,Vid I s lifetime elsewhere than from him; were now forced in their own ~rest to consult with Ellrma.n on each occasion. Isaac now bad no alternative 'ioan to follow Ellrma.n1s suit. 1 Isaac~s nonobalant attitude and refusal to try to dissuade Ebrmanfrom continuing "'this policy brought much critieilsm, but Isaac was in no way teazed by 1 t •. 1 ~.ankirg was lsaao , s f or t e, and be foresaw that it would not 59 be long before American banks would nave tlleir branot:ies operating in Panama, and tnat private firms such as Ehrman and Brandon could not nope to continue competil'.6' successfully on tile world exchange marJet. As a matter of fact it was not longer than a few mol'lltlls when tile t~ational City Bank /If New York starwed a so-called branch of tGab.r Fhillipines outfit in1,:~~ Oity,na.mely, 1w11w•tile International tiriking Corporation. This ~anlt ,....._ a good0iOO facing Cathedral fa.file, and immediately made a bid for,t.;ne sergioes of Abrabam j!elllado, i¾.vid~s ctiief bankill!!: clerJ for matliY•ears. Isaac did not make, any{efrort to ~eta.in Melba.do; on tile contrary Ile encouraged llim to accept tile offer be had received. He saw the tia.ndwr1t1Jl!!:on tile wall, and was glad to re duce his overhead expense in the bankig; division of tile business~ Isaac's next step, and it was a very dextrous one, was to separate t tne firm~s bankii:g operations completely from the mercbandizing. He had a solid wall built~ between tile two buildings tile f'trm had been ocoupyill!!:,¾ formed a new corporation called tile Panama \iankii:g Company to wllioh I. B. & B sold tlleir bankill!!: interests. Isaac Braniion & flros., wll:bctlhad llitnerto been a oopartnersbip, was also converted tllxt:o tnto a corporation. , tile "Inc." beiig. added to their name. Isaac would no doubt bave liquidated kta tile banking interests entirely bad it not been far the heavy deposits that came with ~1cb tlley were able to uttilize f We omitted to mention in previous chapters that a year or more before David passed away, Maduro~ Rijos found it necessary to rebuild for business purposes tne property wnich tney had leased to ~av:!tL to live in ever since ' his family 1s return to Panama from New York. With so large a family it was ~ftilt diffiouult to lGcate a suitable residence, but finally they decided upon a house at the crest of a dt,jifitx•t½t opposite the main Police Station. Here David died/ and here the new ~vid was born. At tne time tne. family ;:, moved, three .cnildren were aweyJ ffom home; Gerald, Solly and Gladys. The ~eader !'las alreac.y been inform d that Gladys was attendirg tne Madison Scho~l for Girls. Solly was attending Eastmanls Business School; lerald, ~ - after spendi!IE about a year with Aunt Anita 1s family (with wnich he preserved at all times an affeoi:::ionate rela.tionsnip), boarded together witn Solly at ))r. l:lavidson•s, but neither of the boys attended the llavidson School. ;I f Gerald attended tile De Witt. Clinton High School. Shortly after ila.vidts ~ deatn, the entire family was aga:i.ln reunited in Panama, all beirg togener for the very last time. ; Tne new baby boy arrived on January /41'! 1904, When Aunt Lila had given Jaok the word that Juditn neiided her physician, be rushed to tne President's Palaca to find that Dr, Amador was at a Cabinet Meetir.g. He scribbled an urgent note to tlim and sent it in by messenger. A note came back that Dr, Amador was leaving immediatetito attend 1;al Mrs, Brandon. Thus the first President of Panama, engaged in affairs of State, fulfilled the promise he had made to his friend David Brandon at his dsath-bed. Juditn was safely deliv~red, but remained prostrated for montns under the immediate care of Lila, witnout whose lovi~ attentions sne may never have survived tnoae dreadful weeks of weakness and bereavement. As soon as Judith was on her feet again, Isaac found another housifor tne family very close to the Brandon place of business. In tnis way ne was able to run up and talk witil her at any moment she migif want to speak with nim. 62 About seven months af'ter ililavi~{;··::passirg, while Jack was }! --~ - •,', awayi~ New York, his sister Ethel and Gus Eisenma'.nnmarried. Some time pr~vi()usly '':'4·"' ,.. • · ·•,•,c'.f).' '·.~; Gus, finding that bis uncles were no longer able to promise him an ail1fquate future, bad asked Jack to try and find a good partner for him to go into the men1s haberdashery and shoe business in Panama. Q'.ack tbougbt im~ediatel y of Carlos El.eta, bead clerk at Maduro~ Hijos men1s department, with wbom he was quite friemily, but before speakil:\g to El.eta be spoke with his Uncle 3am, askirg him if there were any objections. Gus had but $5000 ,§aved; EI.eta bad about the same. Uncle Sam was exceedirglV~~~-'tlii~ . out both young men, and offered to loan Cla,,rlos an addit;l.opal '$5000Aitfrack C'. . ~AC&.,._,~ t,u ;ttn,,'') .,- ~ could get I: B. & B. to open a credit bf? , ..qa I ma,m!i fe1 the business a...-l' 1 ~in the Unit:d States or Europe. Uncle Isaac very gladly acceded, and thus in was thill.t Eisenmann & EI.eta started a very attractive sb•P with some of tbe best advertised American lines of men1s apparel, including the then famous Walk-OveJJ Shoes. Tbey made a great bit, and this was the beginning of a tidy fortune for botb yourg men. Etbel was a very practical and determined wife, and no sacrifices were, too great for her to make at tbe start. Though iDavid was not there to see, she had not snared her :s>·. . . '? feelirg that a marriage at this timtJW1>Uld be premature, and now · 1 faith in Gus bad beeru justified. 4t;it·{ ,..., '"t,/, ..· .··.·,,' Jack was now •deep conver'sat.io~"witb bis Uncle 11 frankly expressed bis doubts and fears. to bim; the deafness the exctiari,ge situation, the loss ct' inc,ome from several sources, tbe question mark that.was Mr. Morrice, who bad fr~ii\iy admitted his inability to meet the crisis of the failure of tbe French t:lanal Company and bad reiligned of his own accord when il,iavid came down. Nat listened gravely, but did not ~ ' . show any alarm whatsoever. lie reminded Jack that bis whole career since leaving school was planned with the thought of his followii:g in bis fatber 1s footsteps; 111-1that be and his brother tsaac felt tbat Jack would with a . 1 . little time,be able to assume charge; that it was tbeir intention to raise bis salary immediately upon bis return, and that both be and bis brother were satisfied to have Jack marry on this very trip and take bis bride down with bim, provided tbe wedding could be arranged witbin a few weeks. This certainly diiligbted Jack, anti he immediately pro-.seeded to Bradf'_4rrd to . ask tne opinion of Esther and her folks. It was not lorg before the natural besi tancy of tbe parents was overcome, .l·~tthe weddirg was announc~i\~, March 8th in Bradford. Uncle Josh 14adllr'9}'SJ)ldu1s brother, bappe~l,·:cit,~l.,'..· in *'ew York at the time and be acc~ptc(4}~a be ~ack 1s best-man. Glad':f~f\M' oi: ~?~rse tbrille3 ~o. be ~t_the wed~f~' t90 1~.a,..,·r,~, ~ ~ ,._,t.,.f;;:.""'tl-:,j.,!.,f sH ,. 'tO~llDJ};._·' j ll0Jq0 63 The marriage took place at the charming Jewish Temple of which the bride's father was President and had been presient for several consecu ,.,..t e,t \-.ive years, The floral decorations were beautiful, and a full ol h· ~ attended, renderil'€ the J•I which were -"'st her I s favorites for such a ceremony. The bride was a lovely picture of youthful health and comliness, and beamed with happiness. The attendance was all the buildirg; could hold, for t"he Steinbergers l'UU'.111counted among their frierd.s .,';-' ~ number of towns people who were of different fa:i ths flOJm their own. All reJ_ati ves visiting Bradford from other sections for the wedding found tha~ their expenses were all paid at the. hotels for several days. Among them were ... ..,J •• t _,;..c;;,,,u,,__·~-u.~~ Uncle Josh Maduro and Gladys,, as ·previously stated, After the marriage at the Temple, all relatives were served a.:ia beautifully prepared repast at the Option House, and the party continua happily into the wee hours of the morning, Jack regretted, as did the Steinbergers, that Rabbi Harry Pereira Mendez did not officiate at the weddirg. He was invited to do so, but declire d because as an orthodox rabbi he could not conduct such a ceremony in a reformed synagogue, He suggested the bride's home as an alternative, 1ut this would have entailed cuttirg the attendance to a minimum, and Mr. & lill's, Steinberger did not a!Jprove of so treatirg tneir many frieni s. rhe yourg couple left for Buffalo that morning at 4 o'clock; cl.. .--' thence, after a few days, to Niagara, and later to ·~ iashington, After tru, honeymoon of ten days, Estherss folks met" than. in New York where several festive days were spent prior to their embarkirg for Panama, It was not eas1,~hide the uotions that pervaded every one of their hearts durirg these parting hours,.especially those of a mother and daughter who throughout all the days of their lives were ins]'lparably united by a love the like of which (j'V,~, Jack haft, never known before,'\ a love which transform d weakness into strength, fear into courage, human frailties into virtues by the power of its own beauty. Others who knew lftother Steinberger; 1ird0.1~l½n~ri1tet\J'R81cmea!lB; by this but they has he too shared an unexpressed sadness at this time, It was because of' a latent fear that Esther might not fin,t_ it d easy to become acclimated in Panama after the exhilirating air of" Alleghanies into which she had been born and bred; especially as despite the reports published 1 64 by Dr. William c. Gorgas, physician in charge of the ijealth Division at the .anal Zone, that the incidence of yellow fever had been reduced to a !( minimum on tne Isthmus, tne Press still contained advices of minor epidemics occurring. This was explained as due to some recon:i!ite cesspools and marshes wnicb were in process cff being eliminated, and which were still the breading grounds for the pernicious stygomia fasciata~ :But as the old saying goes, "When Love is young all tne World seems gay". :Pears were set asillle with prayers for- mutual preservation, and the good-byes were said braveiy arutl hopefully in the knowledge tnat~~ose who love one another distance and silence make the language of tne heart more audible il;han ev,er. Aboard ship, Captain R. E. Jonas showed every: possible attention to to the newly-weds. ~any years afterwards, when the f•:qirt:JDCaptain visited Esther and Jack at their name in Havana, ' be sbGr,ed them~ an old log-book in Which be bad written regar«ing tnis particular voyage to tile followit1g effect; " Amorg tile notable passet1gera was a young couple name-..Jack and ~stner Brandon, tile bridegroom beirg the eldest son of tile muon respected iBavid H. Brandon, of Panama. 11 Immediatea,after their arrival in Colon, Esther and ~aok entrained for Panama, beirg happily surprised at tile station in Miraflores when Esnel and Gus boarded tne train to be the first to greet the bride, and make her feel at home. At the Station in Panama tney found quite a large crowd awaiting them, amorg tnem Isaac 1,s wife Saran and bis daugtlter 1 Irener wno bad come down to Panama to try and nurry Isaac back bom(I- Jack1 s Uncle ijenry and his wife lanny informed tne yout1g couple ~delay tnat tney were expected in ttleir name to stay until their owminoua,e would be ready and their personal effects arrived fNm the States. This was indeed a joyful surprise, and made ,,ildat tile yourg people feel far all time a very special affection for their early hosts. 1-hAi f r 1'he fact tha~ tn:la; couple, tnen so inseparable, Wi destined to live in "'-5,. separation, am~:exxx was~a genuine cause for sorrow. o,w,-, After they were settled in tneir" first domicile, rather mar wnere Ethel and Qua were living, Esther and ~ack took part is several events of social and historical interest. out-stan11i1gs amot1g these was the visit made to Panama by William Howard fart, the 3ecretary of iar in Tneordore Roosevelt•s Cabinet, Who after preparing his report on the progress eeing made,,in tne Canal Zone, attended a reception given in bis 65 honor by President Amador. The Bishop of Panama attended tnllsl function and it is amusiTig to remember that ~sther grew a little alarmed lest she' be expected to kiss the apostolic ring. But the Bishop, as we have already had occasion to note, was a liberal, and knew that the iewish people objected to this custom. He never failed to extend his hand for a good shake when any of illa.vid's people extended theirs. At this party, ierald danced with Helen fart, wife of William Howard, and the great man himself, later president of the United States, danced with Gerald 1s compafiera, May Morrice. The next party in honor off' the ia:rts took place at the Union Club. This was a less formal affair, and Esther had a good opportunity to talk with Mrs. faft..1. Both of tnem were sufferiimvthat night with big hives owirg to the torrid weather, and both were wonderirg how they could hide the ugly blotches from admirers of thenr decollet6. Esther was kept pretty busy for a while getting to know the numerous members of her new family, hers beirg very small in comparison. But gradually she came to understand them and their ways. She and Ethel were particularl~tible beirg of about the same age,and hav~starte d their married livesAsimultaneously. Much of Esther's furniture had now arrived includiig; a bzand-new Steinway !Baby Grand piano, the weddirg gift of her Grandparents. This was a greait joy to the couple, and Esther kept up her practi~ing with fidelity, also accompanyirg lack with his violin. In the midst of this scene o~ domestic trailflUillity, another epidemic of yellow fever broke out. One evening Jack and Esther had been invited to Iludu 1 s house for dinner together witb a yourg lieutenant from tile Canal Zone, Samuel Hirsch by name, This charmiQs youg... fellow had been payiQs ardent ~ attentions to Gladys for some time. As the evening progressed~' Sammy complained of feelirg 111 and asked to be excused at an early hour. Esther also did not feel well that evening, The vezy; next day Sammy1s illness was diagnosed as yellow fever of a virulent character. A day or two later Esther's temperature was high, Isaac and 1ack petitiored Dr, Gorgas to examine her. lie consented to do so, Esther being an American, although his duties we~~~~ined to the Canal Zone. He regretfully diagnosed the case as yellow fever, but of a mild sort, sayiQs that this type was rarely fatal, At the same time he informed Jack that his friend, Sammy Hirsch, was hopelesslxy 111; that he could last but a few days loTiger. Poor 1ammy died on the tenth day of his sickness, and his body was shipped to. his parents living in a town near Chicago, Ill. 66 Esther's ahalyses showed a slight increase in albumen each day for several days, and a gradual decline thereafter, i3aily tests were of course uade, She had no medication; the typical manifestationaof the disease were very attensated or entire1y absent in her case. Her recovery was assured T...J& after the first few anxious days, But the shock la had received was hard to throw off, His conscience had tortured him, realiziig_; as he did how her parents were fee1ing so far away. But cables reassured them daily, After Esther started to recuperate,her complexion yellowed sharply, and Jack sent her back to Bradford to regain her health and vigor, She returned in about a month, her old brignt, smiling self, and her complexion absolutely clear. Just at this time Jack had been lucky enough to secure a house immediately next door to the Brandon store, and they moved without delay. He had the place renovated,and set-up the nearest thi!:¥!: possible to runnirg-water, This was a lielight to -Esther who decorated the place witb her· proverbial good taste and received compliments f:roammany sources, even from Isaac who was rarely given to compliments of any sort. Of all the children Gerald was the most attentive to hsther and Jack, but Gerald was again feeling; tne urge to travel. He really loved Panama, · arui had numerous friends and admirers, Prior to his last homecomi~, he had attended the school coruilucted by Dr. Abraham ll'lexner in Louisville, Ky. , ~Iwb~re hismore famous brctther, Simon ro.exner, was teachi!W chemistry D~Xlt at the time. Simon later won tile Nobel Prize, and still la_ter became president of the Rockefeller t1nrttttt11x Foundation. Gerald was an _apt pupil, havi~ passed the entrance exa111inations for John Hopkins, but he decided at length not to take on a University course. The adventurous life was forever beckoning to l!lim, and he left for tlavana, Cuba, with Rene ietancourt, wno bad decided not to ·rem.a.in in Panama after all. He was the scion of a nigtlly interesting and well-bred family in Camaguey; 67 Ctlapter 17 Isaac issues Officia.L Report of ~avid.'s !state. ' 0 Isaac was now about ready to say good-bye and return to New York, after a far more extended stay in Panama ttlan tlad originally been intended. One could see tnat tle was overjoyed at going; tie tlad tlad a tough time of \ it in many ways, and tlis temperament was too rese11ved and a.net" taciturn for ' ttle job wnictl tlad been ni•- He tlad de].ivered to ttle Government Bureau ttle firm. 1s official report .; " coveriJ::lg !9-Vid 1 s estate, As ~vid tlad died intestate, half would go to tlis widow and tne balance be equally divided between bis twelve living cnildren.· Gus Eisenmann, on bebalf of tlis wife Etbel, protested ttle report, claiming it did not refiect tne true-amount due to ttle t1eirs 0 However, as tlis claims were not substantiated by any actual figures, tney were rejected by tne Court. Mr, D.lstace Corina.ldi, as ctlief accountant, and iack,, as om of ttle tleirs, joined wittl Isaac in signir:g tne papers, attesting that tne state- ments were an exact reflection o~ tne books of ttle firm. Jack, and no doubt everyone else connected with the business, realizai tnat at some future date certain investments appearirg on the statement at cost, would most probably produce good returns, more particularly ttle Electric Light & Ice Plant, but no one could fairly say wben ttlis would be, or in wtlat form the returns would be realized. In tne case of the Plant in question, the large profits were finally realized by an outright sale to American inter ests somiyears lat_er, The Estate could. only be calculated at tne net book value of f.ute David I s snare at tne timepi' tlis d e•ise, and as sucb tbe figures presented were absolutely correct. Moreover, Juditn tlad been told by Isaac tnat if she cared to leave her capital with Isaac Brandon & Brothers, including the undistributed amounts that would become payable to tne minor heirs as they reached their majorities, yearly be would see to it that her~income ~ would be the equivalent of ten percent of tbe total involved, Judittl had agreed to this, tnereby I fulfilling DavidJS recommendation that tier funds sbould be left in bis I " . brottler, s hands, Unfortunately matters did nett go well wi tn I, B, & B. in after yF!ars , and Judith lost whatever remained undrawn of her capital, including tne quotas belonging to ttle tnree last minors. Nevertnel.ess, the Brandons continued to assist Judi th to tne best of their ability for it 68 for maey years until her own children could take over the bulk of her _lleeds. Just prior to Isaac's departure for New York, he suggested to• Judith that she move with all ner dependent children to New York, where she could reside comfortably and economically and give her chill:tren the advantage of a first-class public school education without the need of separating berself from tnem. Everyone approvsd th:lal plan, butt Judi th awaited tne arrival of ~avid's monument before goir:g. Pinally it came; a finely pointed granite shaft in one piece, resting on an ample base, its apex seski~ the sky , as tier beloved husband had requested it should do. In tne meantime Esther had agai.n becooo ill, this time witll a grave, "spotted fever", probably of parasitic origin, wbose o,utward mnite stations were fa;a- more critical than any she had displayed ~-,the light attack of '"· yellow fever she had suffered a few months 'IDef'ore/};;Her temperature repeatedly rose and fell with out warning, frolil ..40 deg. to conslai~rably below nor111~1. leaving her each time in a more debilitated stata./; She became so ill that Jack had to drop his work entirely to nurse her, for she would take no nourishment or medication unless they came f:Dom bis own hand!) .. V/hen ~sther started to irend after something ovci,,r two weeks, both of them were physical wrecks; Jack had bad little rest or sleep, and was running an intermittent malarial temperature himself. One night ·he suddenly woke and realized he had subconsciously decided that Ile jquld natl; stay in Panama; ...... that NOWwhile he was still you~ wa.s tbe time t.octake tlis wif'e to a more -,,.y temparate climate~ to a country more in keeping wi,tb Iler background and . • -·.,e.. :f'' ,,<,, be was temperament 1 where ,.,_nappiness would more +ike i11tban in Panama. Estner shocked at what he had to say, and for a time disapproved, feari~ that his lack of connections in the States would mke it difficuult for him to make his way. But his mind was made up, and there 1varfno changirg his opinion. Thus Ile wrote his uncles, notifyig them or nis irrevocable decision, and suggesti~: tnat tif' appoint. or send out from New York someone to take his place as soon as possible. He a.lso informed Corinaldi and Morrice of what he had written his uncles. He was CJll!Scious of' a quick, profound Aul-« •.••. expression Of relief, almost of exultation, rm I g into eyes of Mr. Morrice; Corinaldi, on the otner hand, remaired pensive and silent. The uncles promptJLy answered stating that they would not at this time appoint or send a substitute. That the:, urul!erstood Jack 1s reaction under the circ~mstances. That he shoul~ come up North with Esther, take a re&SOnB.ble ·ra.!=tt Anft t.A11r ma+ti:-,--0 .,.._""__ ,.,._._ .&.•~-- .~- · .tc110 o ,uo·.:r. oJ sm ·t-K..:.,lµ _ Sit:~.. ("<.-,p:.,i J i~-.:. /-,,. '""i.e..,(;_;,,,' i:~&.r1C~t!A'- 69 Chapter 18 Jack Works to secure a Footing in the United Stat•s, Jack left for New York as soon as Esther was in a conditi.ion to travel. He took her fil·st td Bradford so they, could talk over matters with her parents. Esther looked so poorly that it was a foregone conclusion ti.a:t the fears of her folks would be aroused for her safety in the Panama climate; they felt that at least a trial. could be made to settle down in the United J:AAd•( States, and recomu,ended that Jack...,solici t a place in the l'lew York Office of Isaac Brandon & Brothers and ascertain what the reaction would be. At his conversations with his uncles, they tried to convince Jack that he was acting impetuously under the stress of his past fears and physical debility; that sucn sicknesses as Esther had suffered were in the normal course oi· her acclimatization, and mignt never be repeated. They offered Jack a substantial increase in salary to ellalJ.,le him to enjoy greater freedom, if he would return, explainir.g with frankness that ne was needed now in Panama. Jack was torn between personal considerations and what mignt well nave been considered tlis duty to the business. But tne fact was tnat without his father it was no longer the saua business, as far as he was concerned, Moreover~ even wnile he was discussing witn his uncles,the recollection of Morrice~sq unguarded momertt of exultation wnen he heard of Jack 1 s plans, came to him, and he real:z .. ed tnat tlis usefulness would be impaired for years to eome because of incompatibility. He spoke his thougnts frankly to his uncles and they saw ne was adamant. He asle d for an opportunity in tne hew York Office, but ,!~Y ~h>' tlim his, cousin Vivian was now a junior partner, ann that they. hadAtakeJl in Irene~s husband, Leslie Graff, also as a junior partner. That there was just no room for him. Jack realized tney were sincere, and had no hard feelings whatsoever. ,ie asle. d them to s erve as reference for him, and they ~ a.aeitt~ tllil!lll he could rest assured of tne best in that direction, Tney also asked him to keep in frequent touch with them, and if a good opportunity to do business together should appear, they would be glad to help him how and where they could. This assurance they fulfilled, as will be seen. '---·-,~~nm.a AYnort nousE!, but to no avail. 70 beiJ:ls, at least, he would have to by-pass the export business. Pretty soon, one of Mr. Steinberger 1 s nephews asked Jack to handle ,.:;,..:_ the inside.e work in a retail establishDB nt t~ had set up in Buffalo, NY. Unfortunately this enterprise was unsuccesful, and was soon closed. Next, Jack called upon fried, ~endelson & Co. a huge firm, importers - - of Japanese and China silks and fancy Linens, Mr, '.Fried was the father of Eddie ;iried, one of ~ original quartette who play;d second violin, Mr, :i!'ried had always liked Jack in the old days, and gave him a chanc>J travelling south and East with their line. It was a good selling line, anu ~ack. had considerable success,..,,~ with it, but it required almost incessant trav~lling and !!'sther was rAC£134JiitY as he was on this account. So he kept his eyes peeled for something else. Speaking with Max Magnus, a 1·riendly cler)i: at I, B. & B, 1 s Office, he heard that Sol Magnus, his brot;her, was anxious to start in the handkerchief business on his own1with a partner. Sol had 115000 and ~ack an equal amount, and they invested this together. 1 Magnus had been a clerk for years with Heller~ Lorg on Worth st., and clilllll understa.Ctd the domestic handkerchief business at wholesale very well indeed. But there was little margin in that particular:g: end of the busiuess for the jobber, and the demand was on ttle increase for hand-embroidered lad~ handkerchiefs from several foreign markets, So Jack agreed that Magnus should make a trip to Ireland and work into the jobbirg of Irish linen hand-embroidelred handkerchiefs. ilragnus struck it r:igltlt, and as he was a veryperfonable fellow~ made a good impression, The goods he bought sold rapidly and for two or three years the business made considerable headway. But Maghus strongly discountenanced allowing Jack an opportunity to go abroad to see what he could do to develop another phase 1 or the same phase of the business. Jack resented tnis, realizirg that ffiagnus• was building up his ,!!lwngoodwill rather thau that of toe business, which was the undeniable fact. And he privately decided that he was going to get out. Around this time Jack met a man by the name of Otto Kafka, a '\'!1111111!," decided Bohemian both in character and by hirth, but~~hhextraordinary ~~ilit for publicity and merchandising, particularly in connectio~th export. Many of his ideas were new to the American concept of export. ii19 told his uncles about this chap, and they expressed their desire to meet him. Kafka was looking for a live-wire connecsion 1 for he wanted to live in the Unite d:m states. He made a good impression, especially on Uncle Nat and Vivian, wno told Jack they liked the idea and would back it for common account. 71 As a matter of fact Isaac Brandon & irotner;l, at tnis particular time seemed to have a surplus of funds. In Panama snortened businiss redu~ed their requirements of capital and probably certa:n.n investments such as the Electric Light and Ice Plan~R8eased to call for further JI I tM -::apital, having started to get on a paying basis. Moreover, the New Y8~7fl~gfress was ratner slow, there being a plethora of competition on the type of merchandise they were dealing in; that is to say, food stuffs, nails, barb wire, etc where the New York commissionaires had very small margins to work: with, without any exclusive arraJ:¥?:ements beirg possible with the producers, Here, if Kafka.gs theoey proved out, busiress would be sol:1::cited from the retailers on JDKXlllllll'tiiJmlJJlltinternationally advertised products. The volume m:lg;ht be less with each customer, but tne number of customers would be vastly increased over anything they had pra,viously known, No doubt I. B, & B. wanted to try tne new :proposition out on a small iiili at first, anu if' it snould work, they would develop somethirg along tne same lil.18s for tthem' own firm. So it happened that a corporation was farmed under the style of v Otto Kafka Inc., with offices at 200 Fiftn Ave. NY City, All ~:i:ml:k snares of stock were held in escrow until paid for, and divided equally between Kafla, Jack and I, B, & B. The capital was merJBly nominal, but up to $25,000 was placed imnadiately at the disposal of the business as a loan from I, ll, & B• ?ttj iitsdiioanjiZ.wijs+-.Lata12::amf&&s6\l--lij,-ale 42 ! di.l L CSal • Jack allowed Kafka to lead the way fo-r"several months, studyi~ his method o.f approach with the producers. The majority of these shaved most of them eventually granted interest early in toe neggtiations and their exclWliVe agencies. Very high rates of commission were askd and obtairect, inasmuch as the firm was to pay its own travelling, its agents in foreign countries, and its own overhead expense. lt would also pay all bills on terms of 30 or 60 days from date of snipment, whereas its sales would have to be made on open account in some countries sucn as Cuba., or on 60 day date drafts in other sections. , Naturally botn Kafka and Jack nad to do considerable travelling at the start, ppening up several markets and placing agents on each territory. Kafka started in cuba,where ne was quite well known; Jack started in Mexico, 1 Kafka pil ect in orders for Julius 1"ayser &:; Co. s line and t'or Treo Girdles, etc. Jack did well in Mexico on Hosiery, sweaters, and certain types of cotton and silk mu:tures vmich viere then very much in vogue. He also 72 of busire ss both men turned in was quite amazing for a starter, but there was one marked difference in their work. Kafka was spent ing extravagantly; Jack spent sparingly, Kafka!s journey was unprlbfi table for this reason, Jack's journey showed an irnn:ediate" profit after -.:deduction of expense~ ·~,,, I\ Kafka's customers wrote in saying that their s•m 21· ttu,:b orders were padded, and these claims had to be adjusted adversely on occasions; Jack's orders were all signed and shipped in accordance with the confirmations. It was evident that Kafka's business would always have loose ends, and that his entertainme!l;i:., was~~xcessive as his own living was extravagant. It was evident to Jack and his uncles that Kafka could not in the future be allowed to dispose of 'fbl,vdifon his own volition, and upon his return from Cuba he was told at a meeting that his associates did not approve of such heavy expense accounts; that thereafter letters-of-cTJBdi t would carry certain limitations for every traveller. Kafka did not like this, but promis ed that he would be more measured in his spending in the future. His next journey was to Montevideo and Buenos Aires, In B. A. he met an old chum of his, an Italian named Micali,' with whom he had , travelled years previow ly for a European house. He induced Micali to resign the,lines he was selling and become agent for Otto Kafka Inc. in tl:,; Argentine, Uruguay and Brazil, his compensation to bel\salary, an over-riding commission, vii th expenses paid by the firm, including office and travelling. He set Mic oli up with a central office in B, A., even be fore any business of 1 importance was actually consummated, He failed to get his partner s agreement to any of these considerations, and Jack suggested to his uncles that Kafka be askB d to return for consultation before all his Letter-of- Ore di t was cons ullll8d. This he did, arriving as debonair as ever, promisirg large returns from Mi coli I s territory, lie listere d to complaints regarding / his arbitrary commitments with Micoli without prior consultation, and to new qw stioning,9 of his expense account. His answer was that without lavish entertainment and suitable personal expense hE, theory could not be success fully demonstrated, and that.. if ample backing were not contimm for t ..he business he was really to resign, His resignatiol'lllt was promptly accepted, for it was evident that a great, deal more money would be necessary to establish the business than had been anticipated, if th:s, sort of spenaing was continued in every territory Kafka was to visit; that, the amortization of the invest,ment would soon become a problemn to all concerned. so it was that Otto Kafka resignedj It was not long before his servlilces wer-e avaixled of by a good-sized. Steelmfirm in Pennsyjvania. After about a year or two with them, the newspapers brought news that he bad brougb t suit agains1t1,he filrm for breecb of contract runni~ into many tbousands. A settlement must bave been made out of Court, and it must have been a favorable one in a pecuniary sense for Kafka for wben Jack met bis brother Franz some time after, be beard tbat Otto bad entered into otber wider and mor4profi table fields ot,,•11tunx andeavor. Kafka died at an early age, leaving a widow and numeritts cbildren; a man wbo bad no peer in presenting to prospective.buyer and seller a plan for publicity, sometbi:Q:t pertaining veritably to a field apart ·from mere mercbandising; sometbi~ Wbicb in later years would bave earned bim fame as aead of a Publicity Agency. But as an associate in a stricjly commercial venture, be was a failure, for be bad no sense of timing W proportion in controlling expense, leavi:Q:t it always to others to supply the fuel for bis "fire", available or not available, as tbe case might be. Now the business of Otto ~afka Inc. was converted into The Distributi~ Corporation witb Jack at the he1m, and be it said that though tbere was no formidable growth until the breaking out of tbe.Eilrst World far, there ~ was a steady and rational improvement, a growing goodwill in the domestic market and in tbe foreign markets which had been followed up after Kaf'ka!s ~ ! retirement. Jack bad engaged a cousin, ~vid Goldsmitb to •KJJt'iet manage incoming orders as well as sbipments, and tbis steady and loyal you:Q:t man seconded his efforts to an admirable degree, obtaining an experience wh:lroh served him in good stead when he was called upon a few -years later to handle tbe huge detail that a multiplied turnover demanded of bim with the advent of international bostilities. (; r~~t~:'··=----~---~,~--:,y~~l-,.,.:.=~=-~------t';J;,I..,...,r,,.h;· Chapter 19 74 :3et tling Down Comfortably in tae Unitea States. 1906 - 1908 At long last Jack now had •:1hat appeared to be a sound and compatible enterprise in '.'lhich he was as,rnciate d with his relatives of the firm of Isaac Brandon'" ;sros, He was grateful to them for standing jg~ him so unreservedly during tho:;,e tough, opening mont11s when Kafka had them all pretty well ''by the earzs"; they, on the other hand, seemed pleased by the way he was comJ.ucting the business, and by the evidentx good prospects it presented, Some time previously Esther had gone to Bradford in order to be with her mother when her bab:Jl! was born, Jack made repeated trips trying to,,:. , {i_.,;,t_L.,,._-.,~-.• ~ be there with her, but there had been quite an error in the matter of ~, '' (,'1,t__, ·>'((..,(,,,1.~ and each ~ after 1vai ting several days, he was force to go back to New i\ a York. Finally the baby came a few hours before Jack's arrival, Esth~;L'.' ,, had had a terribly difficult time followed by hemorrages, and for a lirni"~ -', her life was almost despaired of. But her fine constitution stood her in good stead, thank God, and Jack was delighted with the baby, a big, dark haired, girl. with eyes that prlomised to be - and were - a bluish-green. She was named ?auline, after :Esther's grandmother. She was born on Novem ber the third, the anniversary date of the Independence of the ~epublic of Panama, Jack wrote regarding this coincidence to Dr. and Mrs. Amador, and received a chairming, congratulatory letter by return mail. The family in Bradford was very happy irn ee d with their first grand child. Dudu was also happy, but it was not ner first. Some months before her daugnter Ethel had presented Gus with his first, a boy named Eugene. Shortly before this, Sam and Lils Maduro had followed Judith frcLm Panama to New York. Soon they moved to New Rochelle, taking a charming cottage at the corner of Drake Ave. and Pelham Road. When Jack visited them there he fell in love with the countryside, and decided to live there also. He ren~ed a small cottage in Jackson st. and here is where they lived happily until a short time after their seconu child, Jhvid Philip, was born. Two exceedingly gratifyirg years passed, Jack's busiress continued to progress, He took several short trips to Havana and near-by points, enlarging the scope of hiL clientelle, and startirg; successfully with 75 Jomen' s Heady-to-V/ear. This enu o::t the business grew by leaps and bounds, unon.. u and enabled him to finally coun~ JU! .lil Encanto, La asa Grande and El Fin de Sigl o as his steady customers in many line sfavhich · they had never :rre- viously pwrchased ou~side of France, David came on lv,arch the second 1905. Jack arranged for the famous 1\ Dr. Jarman to attena .isther with the assistance of Dr. Guion, their family physician from New Rocoelle. ',Yhile the problemn was a serious one, Esther again came through, but =· ::farman recomiLended that should she become a mother. again, a tlesarian section be made. ',Jen years passed {b7/l-l- //v.-,,,.,. before Esther~ became pregnant, but she insisted 1,that there should be no 1 Gesarian.~ Mother Steinberger stayed with Esther several weeks until she gained her strength again; an able nurse was obtained, and then they moved to a newly built and larger home on ::;ickle s Avenue. A few montths later the Westchest.er & Boston Railway bought bx eight or ten homes on one side of the said Ave~ue to use the land as part of the road-bed far their new electric trains. 'rhe house Jack had rented was one of these, and he was offered but two aJ. terna ti ves, as were his immediate neighbors. "Buy the house and move it elsewhere, new as it is, or give it up". All his neighbors, exceedingly well-to-do people, among them Adolph Grant who married one of the Guggenheim ladies, Leo ,, Karpen o~ the Furniture firm, and xxil:l:llltl«.lmGeorge ~a Branche, a 1all 0t. broker, decided to buy. Jack was fortunate enough to secure assi0tance from a Morta;gage Company7iin Westcl:lieste r, and decided to buy too. The question was to finm the right lot upon which to set the house. ...11 worked together to this. enai and settled upon land just opposite Crennan 1 s fine home on Lockwood Ave., about three blocks frow where the houses stood on Sickles Ave. Contracto:rs by the name of Garvey .tlrothers moved all the houses, one after another, without a sit1gle difficulty arising in any case. New <.:ellars am foul!i atiom •11ere set up, anu when the job 'i/a,s fini;,hed, no outsider would ever have knovm that the homes had been moved. Now after ~3 years, they still stand as sturdily :1s ever, and are 2.11 occupied, al t,iough all the origj.in2L owners have moved away from New Rochelle. Jack and lj:sther \'/ere now very comfortably settled, and Jack bougl1t his first car, an Oldsmobile, \'t,1ich~;R\¥s~hing of beauty, was even then a fairly good riding car in its class. Sam and Lils now decides to build a home as they 1vould like it to be and selected a fine lot on Webster A b ve. a out four blocks from where 76 Jack and isther lived. This was a very attzztive home indeed, with plenty of room to accomodate the family, which now consisted of Sjbil;' Felix, Shirley, Eunice, Joyce,l3asil~~nnis. Blanche, Clifford and Phyllis came later on. From tnis time on the two families were almost constantly together. Jack and Esther became members of the New Rochelle Temple and 'l were soon well acquainted with a growi?¥fcommunity of' very compatible citizens. There was plenty of tennis, swimming, beautiful musical evenings, bowling, and frequent exchange of visits. iesides New York was only 45 minutes away. Life was interesting and the goill?: smooth. Jack had to leave ]i:sther from time to time to follow up his agents on their territories and take on a few new ones. In 1911 he re-visitd Panama for ttB first and last time since he had left it in 1904. He visited his father 1s grave and spent many happy hours with his mother 1 s people, all those whom he had lived with· so intimately up to seven years before. He found many changes in the City which was beautifully paved with vitrified brick, lWt' clean and sanitary, its suburbs evidently Jlri:Q:<: developirg: rapidly and artistically. Havi~ a large number o:lf trunks filled wit~ sa111ple lims with him, and wistling to visit .., Costa Rica and Nicaragua on tnis trip, Jack invited his young cousin, Robert salmon to trave+ there with him as his assistant. ~ Robert was delighted to do this, and they sailed together after spending about a week in Panama, where Jack started the account of the Canal Commissa:cy and also sold several of the drygoods firms in Panama, includill?: laduro 6 ' ~ Hij os, the French Bazaar. Piza, Piza lie Co., Luria & co. etc. Jack and Robert left Colon on 4:tw!'United tr~it ship for Port Limon, Costa Rica. There they spent two delightful days wittl tne family of Isaac and Clarita Maduro. Isaac and tlis three sons were in tne Turtle Busiress in Limon, as well as in other ventures. ForCne frrst tim~ Jack saw tlis cousins Elaine and Florry in the vivid beauty of their teens. He tlad rarely sen two suctl lovely persons. 77e,, was also happy to see his friend Osmond again,and Percy and Albert, Osmorullsbrltt.hers. I They then proceeded to San Jose, the Capital, situated about 51 000 feet above sea-level. '£his was an impressive trip, unfolding a series of be1=1,utiful panorami as th~l~ climb continued. The train passed oles e enOQigh to Cart6so for Jack to distinguistl the tragic remains of that once well- 77 populated town 1now a deserted pile of wreckagae after the wtxxtbl«x terrible earthquake which had killed many hundreds and made it uninhabi- table. That very night, their first in San Jose, Jack and Robert were awakened from sleep at the ho;el by feeling their beds move from under them, doors banging to and from, and ominous creaks soundiQ?; from M- the walls. The seism lasted~ five or ten seconis, but time seemed to stop still, as far as Jack and Robert were concerned, and they hastened to speak with those who were issui?{!; from tlleir rooms. The hotel employ,-es calmed their fears by saying it was but a "sligllt" earthquake, the kind which nobody worried about as e::f'happened quite often, but with tile picture of Cartago sharply in his consciousness, it took Jack quite a time to settle down again to rest. Tile next day Ja~k and Robert visited the relatives who they had been advised lived in San Jose, and received many imitations to their homes. Tiley were introduced to the Sasso Bank, owned by distant relatives, and here they were given full co-operation as regards credit information and files. They stayed about five days in ~an Jose, selling several small bills of merchandise, and then proceeded to the Pacific port of the country, Puntarenas, where a steau,er would soon be passi?{!; to take them on to Corinto, the port of Nicaragua. Jack wishes to record that the reports he had received regardil'll: the pulchritude of the San JO:lie women were not exagerrated. They were many indeed who were.beautiful; 1ost of the younger women wearing their hair down over their shoulders, yet under good control, and carrying attractive, colhrful shawls whicb added to their exbtic appearance. San Jose was muctl smaller than Jack bad anticipated, but a cosy sort of place. Ttle most interesting mantle met there was Benje Piza, who appears in Vida Gui terman I s story of the Piza clans. Although handicapped by bei?{!; an illegitimate child, Benje enjoyed a fine reputation for tlis keen intellect, erudition and personal charm. - He had a lovely family, there beirg; two daughters, one of whom uarried I tile son of one of Costa Rica;_s presidents. In J.imon, before he left for ~ San Jose, Jack saw an ebony-colored lest Indian, a real giant in stature, going to a party wearing a top-hat and swallow-tail suit, butt tlaViQ?; no stloes or stockings on! The Maduros tol~ Jack that ttlis was quite usual becaus~these darkies have sucn enormous feet that ttlere were seldom shoes avai-labl.e to fit them with. ~· •,· 78 Jack_ eud RoliePt found Nicaragua to be generations beba:ind Panama and Costa Rica in point o:f civilization. Perhaps the continued state of political unheaval was a contributil'.lg factor in this respect. The ffailwoad from Corinto to Managua was narrow gauge; the cars diminutive, the locomotives looking more like toys tha;1L anythi:Q?: else, with huge smoke- stacks as compared with the body of the engines, seeming like copies of old engravings. This type of smoke-stack was necessary because they burned only wood fuel. In fact during tthe run, frequent stops were made to take on more wood. Moreover, the road-bed was execrable, frequent stops also being made to fix defective ties, Time.was no object on this Railroad. Managua looked quite attractive becau.;e of its heavy foliage outside of the heart of tbe City, It also seemed an inoffensive sort of place until nighttfall. After nigbtfall it reminded Jack of what he had read of Sodom and %J:IITyre in Biblical times; never in all his travels had he seen so de111ara].ized a proletariat, morally considered. Among other unbelievable sigbts he saw parents offer little girls to unknown men, for a consideration, Jack dee s not care to dilate further on this; subje,ct. Jack did business in Managua with two German firms ano the Governmem. The last-mentioned order was for work-shoes and soldier-shoes, to be con- ' firmed , and paid for by agents in New York. This order was never confirmed because a sudden change in the Presidency in Nicaragua made it impossible, The Hotel Managua was an ungodly place, though pretty to look at, surrounded by a large and well-tended ~arden. Nearly all the rooms seemed to be occupied by professional gamblers, and neither of our trAVellers could get a moment of sleep because of the carousing and loud talking that echoed through the halls, On the secont!l evening an .American established in business in Colon ar:ri wha had been a passenger from tbere on the same ship as Jack and Robert were on, fled for his life, havirg been caught cheatirg at cards. This man had become chatty with Jack and Robert during the journey, and had warned them not to play in any game where he was. He said, 11 "Boys, gambling is my business 11, and I I m out to make money this trip. The ijeader may be quite certain neither Jack nor Robert played any cards whatsoever. By this time both were fed up with Oenmtral America, and were glad to get A•c:aft~ back to dear, old Panama where Jac](spent several days'i !&~" with his dear folks thJ;;ce• He compensted Robert for~i services, and returned -u-- t:; 0 (l,,;a Jb->t- joyfully to"find his, dear wife and little t- progressing grandly, and overjoyed at his home-coming. \ 79 h Chapter 20 I Back to Du.du s home. ~ Let us now spend a while with Judith 1s family in ~ew York. The older children were now moving fast out of their teens. Solly had already reached his majority, had collected hEJ patrimany, and following the genrous bent of his nature, was having the time of his life while it lasted. His parties were quite famous for the:h fun-making, for Solly was a merry fellow with a heart of gold, iii at least· one cab-driver can vouch that he was over-generous inasmuch as he~nanded,bywas mistake · of course, a $20 bill instead of a $2. oo as tip, one collosal evening. Gladys had developed into a gorgeous sort or person, witb a face of unusual beauty and sweetness, incomparable eyes with impossibly long lashes, and a piquant, upturned nose. She had in addition an unusual weal.th of dark, waving hair, reaching to her waist. She was petite, but ber face and gestures betokened an alert mind and vivid personality which were to stand her in good stead in later years. Sbe was Judith~s favorit.e child, and the most demonstrative ever since she had been a little girl. She had recently met Leonard ~aduro Wlrlile he was vacationing in New York away from his business in garacas, Venezuela, where he was engaged in various enterprises uncter the private tutelage of the·then President of that Republic, one Gomez, the famous dictator, who for many years had seemed to be an immovable fixture despite many efforts against his life. Through this connection Lenny had already accumulated considerable means, and from hisnpoint of view, the future seemed equally promising. Lenny was the son of Anita Piza laduro of Paris, ore. of a family of ~ five sons and one daughter, relina, of wbom we shall hear more in these annals. He was a very pleasant and strikingly hl}nds9me ma}.½and made· a strong impression upon Gladys~n~i!~on M1se,7A~;fn"m~r~Jinte~ ~. Their wedding was a brilliant and happy occasion. It t!ok place in Judith 1 s home amid an enthusiastic throng or relatives and frieruit6. Jack was present, but not Esther as she was already well along toward the arrival-of her second baby. Little did anyone who attended this wedding dream that the happiness ---. J Jf this brilliant young couple was destined soon to be shattered; that because of a chronic asthmatic condition Lenny bad a.}.ready become addicted \ tn t.hA l'J.QA nT" n:,..naa • +.hoT. +.h-lo n ... 1',..,..--- .,._ .:t--.A.--- ...... ____ _.__.. ___ ~_ Little did anyone who attended this wedding dream tnat the happiness /,f tnis brilliant young couple was destined soon to be shattered; that because of a chronic asthmatic condition Lenny had a+ready become addicted to the use of drugs; that this habit was to destroy his usefulness and the happiness of his wife and their only child, Norma; that Gladys would eventually be forced to go back to Paris with him and seek a livi~. for botb of tbem; that this being insufficient, she would have to take agencies of famous French prodUcts and travel with them for sale to N. Y., ,µ,, and Panama wher-e her relatives would try to help her all they e:ould. On the/other hand, little could any of the weddi~ guests forsee tnat out of this misery a new happiness would be born for Gladys and her daughter; tnat a few years later Gladys would meet a gentleman from Pitts~urgb, a tourist on tne same ship she was travelling on to Havana, a man of middle age, wealthy and kindly, who fell deeply in love with her, and waited for her ,1!ntil Lenny realized that it was unfair to all concerned to force her to d ,ptinue so tragic an existence, and gave her freedom to save the rest of ner' life from .if virtual serfdom. Harry had never been married; his own adult life had been greadfully saddened by an accident when. out hunting ..,.~tw:.::& with his father, -=-i a bullet from his rifle killed his father. Since then he bad withdrawn as far as he could from society until Gladys brought him 4./ new incentive. The fruit of this, marriage wastfiM:tr~i& of whom died at birth. Ratner tnan tell tbis to Gladys who was critically ill at tne time, Harry adopted another child who was brougtlit up as their own•. ijarry had legally adopted Norma also. His own child was named for her mother, Gladys; the other was named ~ancy. They were all brought up in Harry:,s home in Pittsburgh, and tne rest of the family saw comparatively little of them, although Dudu paid several visits to Pittsburgh, Harry always respecting her greatly. Gladys died in middle life after muon suffering, and Harry did not tarry on earth very much longer. On one occasion he brought the girls to Havana to see Judith; so that they should know the~r relatives now they were growiQ?; up. But after his death, they ' -1,; fl 80 chose to isolate themselves frmm the family, even thougb many efforts were made to keep into touch with them. Norma married an architect; it is not known if the other two girls married, Half of Harry 1s considerable fortune went to his own daughter Glad5{S; the remainder is reported to have been evenly divided between the other two adopted chil:itlren, I!! wri tiig 11.heforegoing, we have gone considerably ahead of our i,f- story, but~nas seemed best to relate as cohesively as possible what we know of Gladys' branch of the family inasmuch as it did not keep step with the other groups which sdttled in Panaua, New York and later, in Havana, Cuba. Before proceediig with our annals, we must memion that Gladys. had a heroic mture, despite beirg inte.ru;ely feminine in looks and character. Moreover, sh.e possessed a world of poetry in her heart, and olf'ten expressed it nobly. Amorg Jack's l!Bmentos will be found the verses she wrote on her death-bed, Which Uarry sent to Judith after his dear wife I s demise. These lines are supremely beautiful, so beautiful tnatt we believe they should be included at th:183point: FAITH, 80 low I lie in bed, 1 tis hard to vision God. 1et eagerly I stretch my soul, until the sod Across the weary days carpets my room. Beauty beams, dispelling pain and gloom. Transfused with Art and quite apart lrom sorrow and depression, stands my heart. I cherish childish memories, a sweet place far, far beyond the distam space uf years; and undismayed I try to play With dearest dreams until, at end of day Courage comes and every lovely thing; Contentment and belief in Him. During the year 1911, long befoire the· events we have above related occurred, Dudu decided to visit Gladys in ·':Europe in the bope of relieving her tragic situation at the time. She took the two youigest children with her, Doris and iilavie. Upon leaving l'aris sh,e visi\l d her sister Lilla in Hamburg, trom there she went to London where Melina Maduro Picard, daughter of Anita and sister of Lenny, lived. While there Dudu had a serious accident, beil:lg run over by a truck while crossing a s~reet. Though she suffered several broken ribs, miraculously there were no internal lesions. She was under treatment at a hospital for several weeks, bu~ no serious complications developed apart from the sback; Dudu had always imagined that her heart was weak, but this accident Proved conclusively that this was not so. She returned in good health to her ,.J.·· - "home in New York,... and her life took on its accusti>med routiie .• llerald was in ~exico at this time, where Jack met him during c;::., of his business trips., He (Gerald) was dressed in true Mexican style iii was engaged in reporting for tthe Hearst newspapers. The experiences he had already lived through in that revolutionary era made Jacks 11hair stand literally on end". Gerald.I.a Memoirs respecting this period of his life ~ , read marvellously, and we recommend them to all historically-minded persons, as a personally conducted adventure almost without parallel. Stanley and Inez were now in their late teens, finishing their school careers, and Isaac and Claude were not too far behind them. All attended 0/ ' the Public Schools; none expressed any de_~i;-e to take on ,rUn11zlersi t:y ..,T___, ~----....---"·-~----••••~---'Ol.-.-.•-• ,-l-,- ----·- • --- • ' ) education. .As far as the boys were concerned, like those of dll the Brandon clans, their chief aim seems to have been to settle down as early as possible to business and marriage. There were several times in the careers of Jack and Qerald when they indu®d in ideas of abandoning trading. ) In fact, Gerald did make the break more thai once, but Jack did not because he felt the weight of responsibilities which started to accumulate from the tiue, HD he worked with his uncles in their r.ew York Office; when his father impressed upon him that his assistance was counted upon for Panama as soon as his apprenticeship was over. Ctlapter 21 81 New Territories Added by Isaac and ~ack. In ttleyear 1912, wtlen Isaac (wtlo tlad now decided to be called "Mike") graduated from Higo Sctlool, tle went to work witn tlis br®ttler Jack in toe Distributing Corporation. Mike was a tall, good-lookirg boy, sometbirg of a beart-breaker amorg ttle girls, as he cbeerfully admits, and gifted as a salesman. Jack realized thi.s as soon as Mike started to work; !Hlc ,,rs dual J iled LP be a t1a,;t-ma1ter11:a: saacswau, for be was an excellent "mixer", had a remarkable memory ;for names and faces;' anu a quick eye for _Q,h . . . merchandising. Just prior to l!ldls joingirg the firm, Jack bad taken on as representatives in Mellbourne, Australia, two brothers, Lionel and Ernest Marks, to whom he had be.en strorg:J.:iV recomu,ended. These men were chiefly interested in the merchandise of Julius Kayser & co. whicb bad coue to the:ir knowledge thro.,ugb friends in England, and Jack bad the export agency. Ttle:w were sending in fine orders, but did noit seem to react in the same way to other samples which were beirg; sent to tnem. Mike suggested to Jack that he be allowed to make a trip to Australia wi tn a full sample line:a: of tile goods they were se1lirg so actively in ottler sections. Mike was a good man to introduce new lines, of this . tJ.<--f Jack was sure, so tle agreed. So Mike went, ttle trip lasting about~ months by the time be was back home. He diaJ! succeed in ':#'.;z1'.'tq{'t.3ome new lines in Melbourne and Sydney, but in a small way to sta:rrt. However, the success of his journey was proved about a half year later wtlen World War One started,. /:l ttlel!!l the Australians started t~ buy heavily on ttle lines of which Mike bad take9 samples, including cotton hosiery in a tluge way. The Marks brottlerili liked Mike immensely and offered tlim a good income to remain wi ttl them in Australia, but Mike preferred to coua back home and think ttle matter over. Jack was migbty glad to have him hack, because in the meantixoo be had got into touch with a man named Jones, a well-recommended salesman for tlosiezy-y in London, and as, The Dis tributi~ Corporation bad just . conohuded selliig,; arrangements with Lord & pi"ylor, ·the tnen owners of the ONYXbrand of hosiery of all kinus, for men, women and children, he was anxious to get start~d witb same in Europe, startirg witn London. Without fwrttler delay thal!!l was necessary, Jack was o~f on his first visit to Europe, takirg the old Lusitania, tnat fast but vibratory ~ueen of the ieas. He was pretty sea-sick on the way; but ttlis was soon forgotten amid ttle impressive sights of London. 82 ~ England was at the zenith of her power, and London at its~apogee in this year 1913. As a matter of fact, Jack had always tended to enthrone things British too highly in his mind. When he lived in Panama his father bad received frequent visits from British travelling-men, representi1::1g firms whose agencies were in the hands of Isaac Brandon & Brothers. These men were invariably far more educated and far more agreeable to do business with than travellers from Germany, France, Italy or the United iallia.tes. They were in the great majority accomplished gentlemen, worthy to be invfted to ~avid 1s home and meet his people. Moreover, as the Reader will remember, 1 from his early teens Jack had earned the privilege of usirg Isaac s glorious 1" library of Britisb authors to his heart's content, and this won for bim an insight into British life and manner of thinki1::1g. Perhaps his predilec tion also had its roots to some extent in interitance, for his father 1s forbears had been British, living in London for several generations at least. After he had tl:a;;;-accustomed to tramp aroundjthe streets of London, Jack remembered the lines from Wordsworth 1 s Ode on Intimations of Immortality; " Our birtb is but, a sleep and a forgetti1::1g: The soul that rises witn us, our life's star, Hath had elsewhere its setting And cometh fr.om afar: Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter A$.kedness, But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God who is our home•••• 11 Jack, revelling for t"he first time in this teeming, well-organized metropolis, came to understand what Isaac had meant When he said; "Nationality has nettling to do with Where one is makes a lri,ng", e~:~;ltimpossible, as muon as he admired the United States,to~t~u allegiance. Jack had a sense in London of recognizing several places which of course he had never see,n before. This was particularly so when he made his first visit to the home of Mr. Jones who he eventually took on as salesman for London. Tbis man lived quite a ways out' of town in a~ built country-style across a spa~ious Square. Before the cab.stopped at this particular howSe Jack felt an unspoken conviction tnat he had seen ' the entire surroundings before, and this feeling remab.ned with him for hours. Jack's cousins, Melina Picard and Rudolph Maduro, sister and brother of Lenny, neither d'l:: WhOmhe had met before, acted.,____ as his Mcerones each afternoon he was there. Tbey visited tog.ether..-., of London's Museum•s, 83 ~ Westminster Abbey and beautiful Kew Gardens, much of the latterf\in full bloom, He also visited Melina's home, He could never comprehend why so sweet and discriminating a person as Melina should have agreed to espouse so prohibitive an individual as Albert Picard, This man reminded one of a wa.lrus with his rotund body, great, spiky moustache and bulging features. His nature was warped, no doubt, by a consciousness of his physical short comingsi,_,his temper was short, and his greatest pleasure seemed to be to --,n,i,O,r- deprive .-i of dis ease by deprecating and deriding all things not French, especially tbose emanating from t11e United States. He was tbe titular bead of tbe London Branch of bis uncle 1s Paris firm of drygoods merchants, but Rudoplb, bis assistant, was really tbe principal worker, Tbe uncle, a Mr, Oppenheimer, ~ack met in Paris a snort time after. w Melina had two children, Marie Louise and Georges, The latter \IMS somehow lost sight of; the ~was a chic and attractive person even as a young girl when Jack first saw her~etty, but with an int ere sting personality, She married twice. HerAhusband is a British peer, and Jack 1s sister and brother-in-law, Doris and Bill Robinson, visit them at their home in Scotland from time to time. Out of natural curiosity Jack took occasion to speak with several white-collar employees and workers in London, He found them nearly all to be rigidly conformist. Economic caste was, as far as. they were~ ~ concerned, 1l!&B a fixture inAsocial life, It was difficult for any but the rarest genius to rise in England above his "station". Workers were generally born to their trade, and their way tlf living was pegged accordingly. Salaries, even of confidential clerks in large establishments, were a mere pittance, One stand-by, a confidential secretary, growirg old in his job, told Jack his top salary was on.e pound a week. The pound was then warth $4.86. Withal, he found everywhere he went a deep resi:e,ct for station and tradition, and also admiration for lear~ng,_ Competence ia .. eir. was also the common aim of boss and worker; the British bore an enviable reputation for fulfilling their eng~ements to the letter and producirg honest merchan- ~~ a..~ dise. There definitely 1!EE g~ t pride among the workers in their accom- pl i sh ment s, !:::m::Sliiiii=Bliliii•it, In addition to all this, England fascinated Jack because of the unspeakable charm of its countryside; because it was the land of Shakespeare, Bacon, Newton, Burke, Wordsworth, the ~rownings, 'fennyson and others 84 as great or greater tnan these; because it was the first nation to abandon slavery; because its people backed a Cromwell to destroy the pernicious myth of tne Divine Right of Kings; because it produced a Wellir:gton able and willing to undertake to stop tne agressions of a talented but dangerous Corsican megalomaniac. With regard to Jack's business in London, Jones introducet)bim to Harrod~s, clelfridge 1 s and many of toe most prominent "Drapers" of London. They took small triaJL orders from several of them, but the British were chiefiy users of wool hosiery, and the sale of silk hosiery was compara tively limited at tnat time, Nevertt:lele.ss tne bu;;iress grew until the War came. Thereafter it receded in volume because most of the able-bodied men and women went to war, and silk hosiery was in poor demand. With a somewnat heavy heart, despite being told what a wonderful -t--..:.. time ti·• ti. l1e would 1iljj •:ii Paris, Jack took the Channel :Boat for Havre, arriving in Paris tne same evenir:g. After London, Paris seemed like a little, gay place at first, but (7-e,J as tne days past an~ Jack was piloted around by his cousins LunAaMMargue- ri te Maduro, tie came to real:lz e tnat up to tnat time tie bad never seen so classically beautiful a City, nor perhaps so interesting a concentration of works of art of every conceivable sort, even including the culinary art. Paris was evidently THE place for a "Bon Vivant 11, and though Jack could never nave been accused of this tendency, tie did put in some delightful evenings, with his coU21sins. Marguerite Paraf, Lun 1 s wife, was a beautiful ;,.+,( I'--'., woman sat a kindly ~. They had two children, a bgy and a girl. The boy is today a well-known physician in Paris. Lun and "" ~argterite . both died ·~ young. In fact all but one of Anita Maduro•s children died at an early age, the one survivirg being Alfred, .,(j'ffri.• 1 7t 2, resides in Panama. Busines,s in Paris was tougn sleddir:g for Jack, but he did sell to the ~aleries ~afayette, tne Louvre and a few other storeS. He took a $10,000 ,-,,,tltz.., fr~m tile Paris Office of Gatti & Ct:laves,(later Harrod 1sJ of Buenos Aires;('-" ,~r,.,__,,r. 6.lt- . . and this made his trip worth while, but the :French were loath to buy·American " . silk hosiery, even tne comparatively long-lasting pure dye ,, sort, wt:1ict:1,from,, their point of view1 could not compare with the French-style loaded silk. There is no doubt tnat tne :French people as a whole are inclined to be blind to the growing proficiency of other peoples, and are definitely believers in the slogan "Buy French", They are by nature self-satisfied and narrow, and Jack was not happy amongst tnem because of their palpable self-interest on all occasions. 85 Many pages could be filled with Jack's impression.fas to 1lrR, works of art in Paris, particularly as regards its exquisite cathedrals and churches. Tbe beauty of these all over Europe and also in such parts of America tm•tx as ~the stamp of Spanisb dominance,bear testimony to the fact that they were the safest media through which Art could perpetuate 1.tself, not IAM'.u.,6.t.c;-- only as far as classical architecture was concerned, butA:illr tnejmyriad ~ ,,, priceless objects~ the churches contain, Throughout untold centuries of varyirg degrees of human bestia:Jcity in wnicn professional religionists did not hesitate to use their power as tyrannically as did political leaders, the Church-Idea proved its elf •Joxmt able to outlast tbe influence of transi tory leadership. This is because there bas always lurked in tne conscious- ness of mankind an urge for self-expression and self-discipline, a desire ;,1(, on the part of the oppressed to commune witll 1±1Unseen to ,:-.;b;t"'.{~:, 11.,,..cruelty of tne Seen; to receive inspiration from a Source apart from the realm of mortality. So it followed tbat great artists believed there was ~ a better chance of preserviig their 41 & »•TUii 3 under the wings of the Church than in any other way. In this their faith has proved to be well founded, Jack also admired the incomparabLe boulevarcts of Paris, evidence of the genius of the Alsatian engineer, Haussmann, wno likewise laid out tne cities of Berl.in and Buenos Aires, (and, we believe, also Washirgt,im.) The parks and gardens were no less beautif1llll, especially.the Bois de Boulogne, leadirg all tbe way to the matchless gardens of Versailles with its artistic fountains. Here one is sbown the Petit and Gran Trianons and what remain of tne possessions of the unhapp1 Q,ueen woo spent some of ber happiest years tbere, But of all tne places he visited in Paris, Jack most enjoyed bis visit with Marguerite Maduro to the Cathedral of Notre Dame one holiday morning when a special service with boy's choir had been announced in tne·Press in advance. Marguerite, though a believir« Jewess, delighted in visitirg Notre Dame. Sbe knew from experience where best to seat a visitor. Sbe ~ guided Jack up a short fl~nt of stairs illl one of tile tower.a where there ./&,lo ce , ~) 3Yl :-j, v Ieme, .J lw ::_· dJ as, - '2]11:j"· iSJS j ·--!,G Chapter 24 89 Family Matters Now that Esther and Jack had their own home in New Rochelle, Regine spent all her summer vacations and also her 6hristmas vacations with them. They never considered her a visitor; she was an integral part of their family, beloved and loving; her sincere nature making it possible for her to share their pleasures and tribulations as her very own.' Jack had changeaji-n his Oldsmobile for a H~udson Supersix, a car which they dolled up rather too gaudily, but which afforded them a great deal of fun. Jack did quite some driving himself, but later. gii,.;~i:,n, one Bob Safford, to take care of tne car and drive the family. • cared greatly for the family, workirg for them for Jears, and often when the weather was favorable the whole crowd would drive down to New York and fetch Jack back home from the office. From time to time Esther,'.s folks c~rom Bradford .to be with them, and those were the happiest tiires, for W:.4d:J.existed a de~~£Win~~8fch was almost unparalxelled in Jack 1s experience, Dudu also visited them quite frequently, and once in a While the children in their turn1 would spend a day in New Rochelle, dividing their time between the ~aduro's and Esther 1s home. Esther herself. was disinclined to leave the two youngsters and go to New York except on rare occasions, but Jack would take them all to Bronx Park from time to time to see the Zoo. Pauline was now about ll 7 years old, and ~avid): In the yeaJr 1913 Mike decided to go into busim ss for himself. The opportunity seemed excellent at this. tiire in Cuba judgil:§!: fJ.O.Jmthe large business the JJistribut:li.ng Gorporation was doing there. Mike had secured some good agencies and got al.ong so well that he decided to remain and live in Havara. Solly also went there representing iN'lllfl""' New York Ci>mmission house, and reported that., he was naking headway. Lito and Robert Salmon were already well-established in Havana, chiefly in the fteaJ. Estate and California ~edwood business, and their prospects were fine. Lito had married Flo Maduro, and they had a lovely family. The two mothers, Anna and Clarita, lived with them at this titre; also Flo's father, Isaac, until he passed away, Jack met them. in Havara on several occasions when he made routire visits to his agents there, and he realized that the Brandon-Madu;·o-Salmon clan had start~ migrating to Cuba, anct%'i,arently very happy in so doing. 90 Juditn moved to New Rocbelle witn ner family during 1915, remainil\ls only for about two years in an attractive nouse in Rocbelle Park. Duri~ tnis time tne cnildren attended New Rocnelle Hign Scbool, wnere tney made some acquaintances wnicb were to develop into loyal friendsbips, valuable to tnem in tne coming years. Tbis applies particularly to Ralph and Claude. As tne older ones matured, tney preferred New York to live in, and tnis is quite understandable owing to tne infrequency of train service at late bours, wnicn increases tne inconvenienoe from a social standpoint. Up to tne time of wnicn we are.writing, inflation and deflation were words baViQ:; little meaning for tne laity; tney were but technical terms employed by economists to point out tne possibilities, not actuali- ties. People witn very moderate incomes provided for tneir families witnout mucl'l strain and could live in comparative ease and comfort on wnat tney earned. But. tnese favorable .conditions were not destined to continue very muon longer. far clouds were starting to gatner over Europe, tnreatening a world conflagration. Soon only a spark was needed to convert tne pre vailing insecurity into a cauldrom of unspeakable misery for millions of innocents; a cauldron into wnicb tne United States would inevitably be drawn to save tne world from a tempestuous megalomaniac in Germany who was eventually immured amid the peaceable inhabitant, o:f Holland,\s countryside. In bis case, for "reasons of State", tne pnra.se "Siti Semper tyranniafl were not carried to fulfillment. Tbe Hohenzollern remarried and lived to a ripe age in relative comfort and happiness under tne prot:.ection of tne Great Powers tnougn millions bad lijerally been sacrificed to bis lust for power. Chapter 25 91 Worln War 1914 Vie fin/I many instances in recorded history where ambitious political leaders nave procured tne services of fanatics to perpetrate one or more capttal crimes with the intent of precipitating a war. This requires a considerable degree of satanic genius, because the matter of timing is important as well as the place in which to proviae a credible historical motive which woula justify territorial expansion by means of aggression, or at the very least, p_reserve a status quo which woula leave the aggressors in the driver's seat. Looking backward as we set '1own these annals, there have been two World #ars, and a third is ttireateni~, though it may not actually occur. Botti of these two wars were enteren into witn the nope on the part of the emancipated ~IE»tihlim: Western Allies that ttromu they were to "end war" forever. At this juncture it is not yet possible to discern wt1ett1er this hope will materializ,e or not. But it cannot be aeniea that there is ~w reason for keepirg the hope alive, 2 I 1 t, aespi te the continued poli tica:j. ineptitude which characterises the masses of the people in the most populous sections of the world .• These masses have for innumerable centuries witnessea the nestructionx of millions by tyrannical governments ana have even to t tiis day not found a way to oust a tyrant ana his vie i ous crew at tne first sign of autocracy, be it of tne over-privilegea or the under-privilege a. Even almost unbelievable acts of bestiality, sadism, mass murder of the innocent, mass expulsions, wanton desola tion etc. have been borne without punishment being meted out to the master minf!s tnat conceived them. It was onlYf in World War Two -~ "' that the liverty-lovingl\ nations of the IVest founf! i1t. possible to impose capital punishment upon ttie vicious leaders in Germany. Even in countries such as Great Hritain, FJ:'ance and the United States where proceaures are keyed to the prote.ction of /!emocracy, w~na powerful groups, even in tne legislative branches of govern ment which tlestitate to outlaw political parties wtlicn·nave been i/!entified as active collaborators of foreign tyrannical governments, stealing ~m strategic, secret inventions, an/! sabotaging variou s key /!epartments in tne tiome government over a perio-1' o.f many years. 92 Fortunately for humanity as a whole, scientific research has at last brought ambitious and imperialistic governments to a virtual impasse with respect to new aggressions. Thermo-nuclear technicians unanimously agree that another global conflict would mean the anni hilation of civilization as now unrerstood; a return to primitive animalism following the destructionx of what it has taken hundreds of centuries to builr up to. Even the most rabin tyrant is stopped short in his career of violence before such a prospect, for there is no evil-doer wno is free oil:' fear: in the final analysis. his policy will be measured by the yardstilclc of his own chances to survive the tlalocaust. If the United States together with its Allies in tne United Nations ~rganization are successful in obtaining from filibpponents a reasonable basis for even limited demobilization and reduction and control of lethal weapons, and if such prel.iminary co-opi.ration would lead to the establishmen~ and maintainance of a court of International Arbitration wtlose decisions would be accepted and implemented as fina 1 by all member nations, then the United Nations urganlzation will have answered humanity's age-old prayer for peace an1 goodwill on earth. "-,,.' -~ ---- 93 Chapter 26 War and Inflation 1915-16-17 nu, world WarAbad begun to take its grim toll in Europe; in tne United States and other neutral countries it brought tne semblance of a gigantic, distorted prosperity. The epic story does not pertain to these annals. Here we are to concern ourselves only with its effects upon the minds, hearts and. well-beirg of our principals. A progressive .l;nflation was in tne saddle, arid specially bigb y;.;.,.. ,, ,',) . ,,::,,_, __..,\ ..+ prices prevailed for export; not entirely unjustly' 'bEioause up to the time of the war tne United States did not enjoy preferences' in many lands. Like all other types of busiress wbicn catered to export, The Distributing Corporation steadily increased its volume of sales wherever it chose to put any pressure. The ~anks in New York were generous in tne extreme, finding tnat tne Distributirg 1 s negotiated drafts met a good fate wherever ~ presented for acceptance and payment. The Company's open notes were • also promptly paid at matuurities. Jack preferred the business offerirg in Cuba to any other, even tnougb on open account in most cases. The reason was tnat tne demand in tnal;. market was in great part for ready-to-wear, which left a far more ample margin of profit for the firm. There was hardly a business day when buyers from Cuba were not at tne D. C. office, displayirg lorg lists of their requirement;; in men's, w.omen1 s and cbildren6s garments. In Maren of 1917, a representative of w. H. Greer & Co. Ltd., of London called upon Jack, recommended by one of tbe Banks. Greer was a large export firm with branches in many countries, particularly in tne far :Ea.st, but no connections in tne United Sta tea. They were now seeking an active connection to act as distributors for tbose British lines of textiles whose export quotas Greer controlled. This gentleman recommended tnat Jack visit tne Greers in London as soon as possible inasmuch as be was sendirg in a favorable reporl:;'Jr'b ~·_,.,;-,.<•. , 94 listened carefully to wnat tnree or four of tne directors had to say, \Ir. 11 alter coachirg nim wnenever it was necessary. Tney asked him many 1uestions wnicn he answered wit~ under-statements, llritisn style, beirg foriarnede. by Mr. Watter that tne Englishman thorouglilly dislikes any boastful declarations. lie was asked to tnese people 1s homes for meals, and it was tne~ ~ack saw the Englisn country-side at its best, for they- all lived on~estates. Finally, a temporary agreement was arrived at, ~ack being th~most conservative of the negotiators, for nex was noit sure t.hat his organization could handle the job in tn;i:ijg way Greers were accusto~j, to operate. 4 Greers hinted tnat they were really lookirg to buy,.in .:ra yourg, active organization in the Urd te d ~ta iB s as tney had done el.sewhere, especially in the far:~o:.~~ tnat in time nis firm would hear from tl:JJem on tnis subject even if !1lllil8 necessary for tnem to re-organi:ze 1 •..t It ~·b8siness so as to be more effectiv-e fci.&::,their purp~;;::,, Jack'~"~:? no comment on this score except to say that he felt sure his partner.iiJ't!puld be glad to near 11 from tnem when theJtime came, aruii take the ua tter;'cih~er advisement. Jack went to ¥aris after postill!: his office in tew York witn i1e out-turn of his n!filotiations in London, and securing... their entire appro- val. In Paris he spent only a few da:)SJ witll Lun and tAarguerite, No business was possible. Tbe country was geared to war; most of tlile'" _employees,even :kn handlirg :raf:heavy baggage at the ~epots, waJre women, a~ere was no • J. " ti ,.,.;J:,,;(/' , _.,,,,,. co-ordination. Jaxis were scarce aoo expensive, a~ tiN,\ INl'e gasoline. Lun was manufacturirg auto tires, backed by tne Paraf family. ~erald was in France at tne time, as ~ack learned later, llaviig joined tile French l1'oreigi. 1 Legion. ~e had beel!ll wounded in tne stomach, No oRf"'i~ep{~fl ieemed to know anytning about it, or ~ack would never nave left without seeirg him. William Steinberger was at. this time in the U, s, Ex!giµeerim Corps located ' ' at Arcachon, near Borde~- ~9t;k decided first to lsook up a customer in Padova, Italy, where he,.. meet \1liliaJolles, and '.1ater go to Arcacnom. Jolles and himself made)jfl{•n, Turin and !ladova to'f_.'t~\,, and spent the ·,t··". ···"\.'.-<" week-end in Venice, Tne;e was some business done1 es}>E3cially in ~adova, but Italy was in more or less the same di$organized condition as was France. 'olles and Jack parted in Milan, to meet each other later in Copenhagen. '}om Milan Jack entrained for Bordeaux en route to Arcachon. Cook's Tours bad prepared the journey, and ii ack had not"examined his tickets· before boardil!lg .'C..>· 0 :;_) ,.,.,:' FTJ, _,,:J~'"''l~rrz.'J(:;'r!'/( )'. · ·, -i·r :1, c· :r Cf-~ r:-·n.::·rr_1· ~ L:.:.:i't', rnrrn; 95 the train. When the conductor came to his compartment to puncn his ticket, he informed ~ack tnat bis ticket did noiL correspond to that train; that the train was goirg to Bordeaux and that the ticket was for some point in Switzerland via Domodosola. At least Jack felt rel.ieved that he was on Sl the right train for Bordeaux, which he had asked the porter to put oim on/ But nav ca.me the trouble. The conductor asked him to buy a ticket to Bordeaux, anu that he ~ w,.ml:El secure a refund of the other ticket on his return to Faris. Jack regretfully told the Conductor that he had not the available cash to buy another ticket; that he had used his cash, knowirg that he could geii. all the funlis he m~ded on his Letter <:t...·Oredit at Cox~ Cie. in Bordeaux. He showed tne Uonductor his Lcil;ter of Credit. :But the Condll!lc1torwitil equal regret intorme(him that he was in no position to cash a Letter of Credit on t.ne train, and ttia.1; Jack would nave to get off at the next Station and work out his jmoblean there. Jack told him tnis was not possible. Conductor sbrugged.tlis sbbulders and told him He;- be bad better spend the rest of toe time before he got off with his soldier compatriots who occupied tne first three cars of tbe train. Jack hurried there to see if be coulii find anyone who could help him. In one car tbere was a foursom. o:f officers pl:ayi111s pinilcble. ~ack stopped and watched tbe game for a fe1minutes. One of tile offi-eers, a.·~ewish boy:. asklli bim whether he was on a plai.n-clotbes mission. Jack told him no. ije did not believe it, as tnere were very few Americans on private business visitir:g in Italy at tn:lsl time. Jaok woula not discuss tbe matter :fm-tiler, but he told tile four lieutenants tnat be was on his way to Arcachon to see his brotner in-law wbo was stationed thsre witl:li tne Engineers. Tne same lad who bad questione¢1im before said be :m visi~ d Arachon daily tnougn be lived in Bordeaux, and offered to pilot Jaok around Bordeaux. Then Jack told bim of the mess be was in wito the Conductor on account of tbe wrorg ticket. The yourg officer, whose name was :Bloch, then said be would take care of tba.t small matter as soon as the Conductor ca.ire around. ~e tola Jack tbat as tbey would be arriving in Bordeaux on May 1st, France§s ~abor ~ay, Ill.th . and tcim-t the follow1rg day was a Sunday, be would see to it tnat tbe Hotel in Bordeaux would give bim credit until Monday wben be could casb bis Letter of Credit. From now on Jack and Lieut. Bloco becam good pals., • Tile latter furnished tne Conductor a signed obligation for Bailroad Jare from Milan to Bordeaux to be presented in Bordeaux to the American Army Authorities tnere, Which tne Conductor founu to be satisfactory. 96 As soon as the Bank was open on Monday morning, Jack collected what he needed against the Letter of Credit and handed the value of the Bordeaux ticket to Lieut. Bloch, who in turn paid it in to the Army people to cancel the charge against him. Naturally he explaire d to the Authorities the reason for the transaction. As soon as Jack arrived back in Paris he turned in the wrong ticket to Cook's,who re-paid him the amount involved without any delay. On arrivirg at the Hotel with Lieut. Bloch in Bordeaux, Jack was astonished by his apparent influence over the lady manager ann11several of the help. Jack was shown every courtesy and he was allowed to sign for whatever he needed. On tile evenirg of tnei:r arrival Blocn admitted to Jack that he was living with a French lady in Bordeaux woo was expecting him to come in. He invited Jack to accompany him, but of course the latter excused himself stating that he was exceedingly tired. As it appeared later, the lady in question was a very young and attractive woman who was devoted to Lieut. Bloch,. About three years later when Bloch was mustered out of tne army and called upon Jack at his office, Bloch com plained bitterly that he was unable to find work in his own country, and told Jack he tntended to return to Bordeaux and his girl, who he had learned to care deeply for and whom he missed beyond words to express. As the Lieutenant had promised Jack 1 he had the wires working early Monday morning with Arcacnon to notify William Cleveland Steinberger of the Engineers Corps that his brother-in-law, Jack Branaon, was in BCll!'deaux and would appreciate his soliciting an opportunity to receive him at Arcachon. The answer came back quite promptly notifying Jack of the hour on tne following day. It is bard to express the delight tney both felt at this brief reunion. William looked stout, aruJI his color was fine; Jack bad never seen him look so well. He complained bitterly of the kind of work he was called upon to do, but admitted that he felt well under it. There were a couple of operations goitl5 on in the Camp under a tent, and Jack and Bill were glad to be all av ed to spend the evening together in the city itself. Walking through the streets they saw a shop with the carcass of an animal hanging ou~side the door. The dropped in to see what it was all about, speaking French to the best o~ their ability. The lady answere;.n perfectly good American fnglish, and tney felt quite at home. Jack noticed that in Bordeaux and also in Arcachon a French-Spanish patois was spoken to a great extent. He noticed it first in the bus which drove 97 him out to Arcachon, where he heard ttm:'ee nuns chatting in the patois, He aslla d them what the dialect was, and they explained to him that he was near the Spanish frontier hereabouts, and that this patois was the preferred lar.guage. But the nuns, who were French, not Spanish, spoke a pure 8astillian Spanish also, William and Jack talked themselves out to the "Q,ueen1s taste" tryir:g to forget tblri meanwhile that they must -,1part; each to do his appointed task to the best of his ability, Bill did not know where 1/1.!VJ his next stop would be, and this :liS what hurt, But Jack was happy to be able to write the folks back home that .they had met, and thatBll 11ooked well and strong and full of pep. ~ :From Paris Jack took ship to Copenhagen where Jolles awaited him, This was a most fascinating city, utterly different to anythirg he had yet seen, The horde of' cyclists that filled the streets, the strar.ge architecture, the odd sounding lar.guage, the kindly att:lttude of the people, Here Jolles was quite at home, and introduced Jack to some people of culture·, Jolles had good customers in Copenhagen. It was time for Jack to go back to SoUJ:thampton ailJli!board the Olympic for ~ew tork, due to depart on June 23rd. When he returned to his hotel in Copenhagen he was informed that on the followir.g day there would be a strike in Copenhagen.\ harbor, and it was impossible to say when there would be any sailing for England or France, . lack was terriblf perturbed becaoo;e it was practically imposible to get another reservation on the ships to Hew York, No one dared to let a reservation go, Cook's told him the best thing to do would be to take the Ferry to Sweden, and then board a train to Bergen, Norway, ~rom there he would find frequent sailings for Newcastle-on-Tyne, Jack took this advice, and it proved to be good, for the strike in Copenhagen continued for quite a long time, He was able to stop an hour or so in ilaam both Stockholm and ~sla ( or Christiania, as it was then called). He also was able to sit up in his bunk on the train and actually read a newspaper at about midnight, although the summer was ~:ia: on its way out already. In :Bergen he had some difficulty in securing a berth without previous notice, but finally was helped to get one by the American Consuli: in that city, who also visbed his Passport,!IL,~1..!!~ shocked when he saw the ship he was to cross the North Sea in. ~Awas only about 1,000 tons, and the weather was stormy all the way, Practically all the passengers were 98 abjectly seasick all the way, an/! water from the mountainous waves was several inches in every cabin. Jack was unable to leave his bunk at any time until the ship drew up alongsi/le the pier in Neweastle. The first night out from Copenhagen in the North gea the Venus was signalled to pick up some Danish sailors whose ship had struck a floating mine anrl foun/!eredo It was a long anrl terrible job to get these unfortunates aboard owing to the darkness and high seas, When Jack walked or rather, stumbled down the gangplank at Newcastle, he was so faint anrl dizzy from the shaking up of the past two days as well as from the absence of nourishment, that he had to hol~ on to some boards on the wharf~ before he coulr venture into the street. Fortunately just as he left the pier he saw a grocery ahead with some· luscious strawberri..es on rlisplay. He coulc1 harrlly wait to pay for a box of these, an~ ate them ravenously as he walkerl on towarrl the railroad rlepot about five blocks ahead, He grew staadierx on hi ii feet as he progreBd, but har1 to wait until the afternoon before securii:g a berth on the train to Lon/lon, being given a cancellation. He felt pretty good on arriving the next mornirg, continuing on to Liverpool the next day to catch the Dlympic with a half day to spare, The ship was crowde/l wittl returning soldiers and seamen, Jack wa s one ±n of only three or four passengers in civilian clotnes, and was again taken for a "plain-clothes "military man, The snip was unrecognizable as to the interior. It had been completely alterer1 to serve as an imlliense army transport. Jack was overjoyed when the voyage was over, 100 .. ,..,., and the War. He rose in grade to the ranlc of lieutenant. ~e was killed A~ at Gallipoli, toward the very end of hostilities. Ernest Marks renained in complete charge of the bu.sil\!Bss, al'1d did not possess the irinateN, .... courtesy and loyalty that characterized his brother. It was not lorg \li!!e:ll he started to correspond wittl Julius Kayser & Co. direct for the purpose of wrestir:g the agency from the D. C. While Marks was selling other i terns be side the fcayser line wtnicn J Ir, him a substantial profit as a jobber, it 1 v::·.d:'L.PE/ would appear that he wanted the Kayser ·line Js&e&il&l!llil!t. alone for an ul te- rior purpo~.~-~~~~t1.:ama to the fi.i,re seve.ral years later. Kayser bad some years -~~ayed t1:J,eD, c. false in Cuba, takills up directly with Alexander Hirsch, (a german like themstlve.s), wno at ttutt time was~ local agent of the D. c. Jack was not to: ..sorry La way, though there was prestige in tne tayser line, becaIB,e he wasAfree to take a full line of hosiery of the.Onyx brand, including me~s and chil:ciren 1s, witn wnicn ne could do a greaten volume 0£ business, and he was glad to be rid of Hirsch who was an arbitrary and evil-tempered Clerman.(He was imprisoned by Cuba as a German spJ1 for a couple of years.) Jack replaced Hirsch with the brothers Oscar and Arturo Pufial, Wl:llowere the best agents Jack had ever 1ppoiny;e d in any t erri to:cry,"1,ltlRRe1511i;;;. -'lillillllili=l.a!!lll!Si:i;ia::tl ;;I=;;g=r,t:i:11a==:11•t:ftl:IU!:f!91:!i1ic::!:t~f!:::lfl!!!l\M!ltii~1~·il~il~ii •-===~••=='1• We are glad to repoxrt tnat Kayser was the only supplier :tn:t wl:lo the 1), C. had reason to complain 04in the sense of' disloy alty durir:g all tl1Jiose remarkable years. Erne st Marks came to NY just when the renewal of tne agre;ement between teayse:rr aoo tt:ne 1), c. was to nave been signed, and deiivered his own resignation to tne D. c., sayi11s that he would in tl1lie futlllt'e be 11.ne direct agenit. in Australia of Juli>us Kayser & Co. rayser confirmed this information by letter a few daya; later. After a few years tne newspapers carried the news tnat Kayser had started manufa.cturing in Australia; and that Ernest Marks was eonnected wi tn the new company as a stockholder and ~enanal Manager. Business in Europe had of course fad3. d to a mere shadow owirg to the continuance of the war. Greer had sent no merchandEJe whatsoever to tne D. c., finding that their allotments from British man.ufacturers had JVor./'tlFF,t;rlf NTLY been reduced to a point wnere they; could 111 Ji, supply any of their old connections. This had been unexpected by them, and was a disappointment to Jack after the good work he had done in London. Greer)s promised that ' I in 1918 the 1), c. would received $90 1 000 worth of Anderson .s Ginghams, and that patience would have to exercised mntil t~eilll. But ~estiny was, att!;; 101 tf 11cutti~ capers in a most startlirg and abstruse way at this time, and we must interpolate certain evellllts which were transpirirg at Isaac Brandon & :Brothers in order that tne Reader may understand the interpl13,ys that were soon to become obvious. The firm· of Isaac Brandon & t:'rothers had some time before this disposed of their holdings in tne ·Electri«:: Lignt and Ics Plant at Panama to American interests represented by the famous legal firm of Sullivan and Cromwell. A figure involviQs a magnificent profit for I. B. & B. had been agreed upon, .and this firm was nd>V'11in clover." Shortly after tnis Jack had been told tha:tt I. B. & B. were retrenchirg as regards their investment in Panama business for the simple reason that ttliere were no longer any Brandons down there, nor would any Brandon go down there to live. Isaac was partially ~tired, his son Vivian and NatArunnirg-- the New YOJr'k business. Negotiations~ on in Panama wit~ Mr. Ernesto (~eco} Guardia, an old friend olf Jack, who was the present nanager o:lf' I. B & B. there 1_to take over the entire busiress for his owm;account, excluding the Panama ~amkirg Co. Vivian had two close friends in the Carey Printirg Company of NY, their names being Ji"riedman and Rossett, who were runnirg that Plant for Mr. ~arey 1 who wished to retire. They proposed to Vivian that I. B. & B. should take over the entire stoclc, settirg aside some of it for the two of them to buy at a later date. Vivian was deligtllted at the idea; he was. tired d'i' the ' IJ1lt'.lv ~ export businesa, and oif the Panama business"-wt.ich he couliil\?Mt control. Nat din not feel. exactly that way, but he welcom$the opportunity as presen- ted by the two yourg men and Viv. He saiml he was willing~o go ahe ~f ~ould. I.saac said "No",· itttt th$c if they wanted to invest . · tbey could do so. Viv answered that he would appreciate his father giving him the use of his eve!llltual patrimoey at this tine when so wonderful an opportunity presented itself, rather than wait until death should separate them. Isaac yielded to his favorite son, and remained in th~ deal. It proved disa~troua, and broughtfabout the death of poor Viv from despa~d over-work only two years after tiarey print was closed up. It was reported that 0arey ~rint caused I. B. & B. to dump upwards .. of ane million dollars in the :f:fJJrt vain effort to save it. The business ,was hounded at its very inception by unerulirg labor trouble, remaining closed 'for nearly a year~f~3,;~ittent efforts to get,it going. I •e LIN, The o>niil •2 111a immeme with the enormous premises they occup~and worst of ail, Vogue, ~anity fair and other bmportant publica tions wee had hitherto given their printing contracts to Garey, could not 102 hedge any longer with other printers who had been accomodating them with v service. They had now to withdraw their support entirely from Carey or f' lose their contacts with these other printers. This was the end. The Printer's Union had won a Pyrrhic victory because they forced ~y " quite out of business • The novices had again been the greatest losers. Shortly after this, Isaac made his last trip to Panama for tne express purpose of liquidating tne Panama hanking company, In order tnat he should be in a position to offer creditors dollar for dollar, He cashed in approximately $100,000 of his personal insurance policies, while Joshie Piza, in memory of his unforgettable friend Jiavid Henry Brandon, gave Isaac a receipt in full for a heavy amount the firm owed him. Dudu followed suit up to the full amount tnat nad still appeared to her credit and tnat of tne few remaining minor heirs of ±iavi:d' s estate. In this way the goud name of Isaac Brandon & Brothers was saved forever. But we must now take a backward step to tne time when, as Jack said, lJestiny began cutting capers in a st~lir:g 1vay. Nat had called Jack to his private office to urge him to approach Greer without delay to carry through tne:t.r project of takir:g over part of the snares of stock in The Distributing Corpora ti on. Jack tolm! Nat he felt the moment was inopportune because Greer had not yet tested out tne Distributing with a.Jl'lyactual shipments. Nat answered; "Never mind; try; this is very important. Do your best for us all". So Jack wrote Greer tnat if they were still interested on the lines they had broached to him when he was in London, this was the time to take action: that due to an unfortunate combination of circumstances which in no way involved The Distributir:g Corporation, certain shareholders found it imperatively necessary to unload their stock, and this could be bought at a highly faVorable price. Greer did not express muon interest at first, but sent down a legal representative to check up on the condition of The Distributirg CorpDration and report on Isaac Brandon & f?rothers. Their representative found everything OK with Distributing, and made his report on Isaac Brandon~ Brothers confirming what had been taatfully said by Jack. He definitely recommended the deal to Greer as sound, and was instructed to negotiate with Isaac Brandon 6c Pr others on a cash basis. An acceptable figure was arrived at and ~am M~duro also sold his J'l shares at the same price to Greer. For a lorg time he had found the Distributirg too agitated a business for his particular taste. ~e himself 103 had note been a business-getter for the Corporation, though he was an excellent inside man and a first class consultant, Still, Jack's salary was never allowed to top his own, and this circumstancex was an unspoken weight in both their mincts. Sam was keen on joining the two Levenson ~rothers in theilr domestic and foreign j ebbing busines.s in woich his services would be strictly as financial manager, and now his desire had been gratified. He and his partners had good success after a prelimi- nary period of readjustment after the war. They were good peopl.e and i3amI s capital put them squarely on t,1eir feet. Thus vie find that at the end of 1917 W, H. Greer & Co, Ltd. of London, had become :l.!a majority shareholders oJf The Distributing Q9rpora tion of New York, in fulfillmerut of their assurances to Jacob Brandon, even before they hau shipped one dollar of iri tish merchandise to 'the United States. Jack was grateful at this display of confidence on the part of Greer, but on the other hand he felt downcast at these unforeseen changes over which he had had no control, sensing as well the possibility of otner great changes as time went on. '~e also felt qualms of fear lest he be unable for reasons still unknown to produce result1for his new sponsors commensurate with their faith in his ability. He knew the War must cease sooner or later. Inflation was at a breaking-point. When would deflation start and what would it mean to the multitudes who were now ridirg high, plodding dizzily toward artificial heights was to be snort-lived? JJ.g ()(_ 104 Chapter 28 Family News 1917-1918 Esther's third baby was born at the Woman's Hospital in New York on August the twenty-eighth 1917, ten years after his brother ~avid Philip came into the world. Dr, Dorman, who was then the head obstetrician at that hospital and who had the personal care of the case, had previously importuned Esther- to permit a caesarian section, but she steadfastly refused, although"' he pointed out to her and to Jack the indubitable risks after her first two difficult confiaements. The birth was precarious, the Doctor concentrating chie:lt'ly upon salvaging tsther•s life, rie had absoluiely no hope for the child, and recommended that Jack should not see it, which of course Jack ~gnored. Several days the boy lingered without any sign of vitality,except a fitful brea~hing, and the house physician gave orders to move it from the babies section into a solitary room, probably to make room for another, Jack heard of this one afternoon when approaching the nurse to take him to the child, He immediately called Dr, Dorman and requested that he reverse the order of the house physician. He told llr. Dorman that he saw in the child I s determire. a fight for life the sign of survival, and that he would be greatly helped by the atmosphere of vitality 11:ontributed by the other babies, Dr, Dorman consented to Jack's petition and reversed the order. The Ways o:lf'~estiny are strange, From that very day - wholly given up by doctors and nurses- the child started to take drops of water, Soon 0 half-an-eye opened and other signs consecutively appeared of a restored vitality, Each dey Jack 1s theory was demonstrated with greater assurance on his part; soon the baby cried faintly, At last everyone admitted he was here to stay. None was more happily surprised than Dr, Dorman. ,; Esther had not been told the case was considered hopeiess, hut that the baby could not be brought to her just then, It took many weeks for Earl to overcome his disabilities, but he won his laurels even at that tender age, and grew into a handsome, lusty boy, the pride of all the family. Jack's sister Inez married her cousin Morris Fidanque on •••• 1918, This was a true love-match, and happiness was easy to forsee for the sweet couple, for Inez possessed to an eminent degree those qualities which ,.r:u- ~' .,;.[,v J 105 were bound to endear her to her husband's people. Ethel and Gus Eisenmann attended this wedding, being on one of their several trips to New .Y~_:rk. DDJiBX Inez entered whole-heartedly into the life in Panama, disposing herself to undertake a great deal of social work. Her poise and innate sense of decorum brought respectt for her fr©Jm the entire community, and she ultimately became prsident of the local Synagogue. She also represen ted the family of ~avid Henry Brandon at all offtial functions when his name was memorialized by the Government. Inez and Morris now resicte at Oceanside, Long Island, New York, and are the parents of three boys and two girls. One daughter, Inezita, an unusually sweet character and brilliant student, passed away at the very dawn of womanhood, to the irreparable sorDow of adoring parents. All the. other chilm-en ---/l!ffl! now married. During this same year Jack's brother Stanley married Viva Henri quez, and attfactive young lady whom -iemet on one of his frequent voyages to and from Ecuador where he had established a~ Panama Hat busi ness. They and their brood of five spent many years in Ecuador, but are now residing in California, their three girls amil one of' their boys b~J'..ng ..,..,,,,1 married, Their son Stanley; has taken his father's place in Ecuador, nait. ti that Stanley wishes to spend the ma.j or part of his time in the United ''states. It was also in the year 1918 the Isaac and §arah Brandon cele brated their Golden Wedding. It was attended by a large group of friends and relatives. Both of them were ailing considerablJ,- ·nowever, for on his way b{n~~It~~m~ad had an attack of angina pectoris on board snip, and the disease was evidently progressing, Sarah was frail,and worried over nim as well. But they were still 1/r/lovely looking couple; ~aran with the proud carriage of her head, and Isaac with his patrioian~tace and manners. Jack fel~ sad, knowing th!,;S~cial 1;.roubles which were invol~ the iron-clad firm which Isaacp;1aitt- nitherjro managed and brought will:l tlaif5 brother :!:lavia to a high pinnacle of repute • ."Thus are the mighty fallen. n (;1A.BRANDON, s.A .. ' TELEFONO M-4682. · COMISIONES Y REPRESENT A CI ONES DIRECCION. CABLEGRAFICA . :: Industriia Nunm. 126 Y:-TEl.EGRAFICA, "ALPSDON''. Halbana, Cuba ' I I I ~- •...... • , , .. -- ·..... ', · · Jtla Seal. 106 Chapter 29 Armistice - Transition - The Downward. . Curve,. . . 1918- / '/..l.'h, For several months there had been rumors of German collapse presaging an armistice. No one seemed to be surprised at this or at the falling off of business thJresulted, It was natural to suppose that there would be a recession, But there were still many wno wished to eke out the las£l~oRfy that the hive could yiela,and continued to gamble, As a matter of fact no one dreamed that so world-shaking an economic crisis as did occur was possible, On the one hand Greer requested Jack to be cautious in his trading, and to cease forcing business, shipping out only such goods as the busi ness was committed to take, On the other hand tney notified him tnat tney were preparing for shipment tne $90,000 of Anderson's Ginghams wnicb ' tney bad nad on order since 1917, as promised. Jack urged tnem n·ot to ship these goods to New York; to divert them to another market because tne local drygoods trade was already quite panicky and snowed no interest in tnem at this time. •• jje made it clear that if tne ginghams were snipt!ed tney would certainly nave" to go into storage in New York pending tne easing off of,-epressi on, Greer replie ct that tney just bad to sbip tne goods because the manufacturer would not consider holding tnem, and tnat all otner markets were in the same position as the United States, That tney, Greer, had extended commitments in many markets and would assume tne cost of storage if Distributing Corporation would accept the shipment and enable Greer to negotiate the transaction through their banking connections. Jack reminded Greer tnat tneirs was the deciding voice in all toese matters, but tnat he personally was opposed to receiving tne shipment fearing tnat tne nigh duties based upon the prevailing quotations on tne ginghams. would entail a nuge loss soould the market take a heavy tumble after shipment was effected, Evidently tne pressure upon Greer was very .r intense, for they made the shipment immediately, and Jack puthinto storage because he could get no offers of any kind -- for tne time being, On November 11th 1918 the .Armistice was signed, There was great joy tnrougnout tne world, and New York was demonstrative beyond Kil any precedent, BVftnis did not in any way curb the break-down of the Stock Market and all tne comu,odity Exchanges, 107 The Banks started to become very .. choosy . about negotiating additional foreign drafts, in many cases refusing to make advances on the paper until acceptance should be obtained at the other end. The Distributing received many cancellations by cable which they ignored if the customer was known to be financially competent, explaining by letter to custone.rs that these were bonafide transactions which neither the buyer nor seller could side track and solicitirig co-operation on the part of the customer. Unfortu nately there were very few customers who chose to absorb losses; business morale was at a low ebb in the face of fast dropping prices. It soon became a case of how far could one play square and not go broke. Cuban sugar dropped in price steadily from 23p to lp per lb. At 1the very last even 1,6 was not obtainable. Cuba went into a moratorium. No one could pay, and~ creditors could not enforce payment, so everyone tried to adjust debts out of eourt. The Distributing Corporation paid all its bills for merchandise as long as it could, and then had to ask foY time, which was granted in all instances. The Banks reported a large number of shipments of theirs in many ports unaccepted and had to carry the Distributing along. Greer reported that they were greatly over-extended and could not render help at this time. As a matter of fact, this great house, looked upon as a sort of Rock of Gibraltar, continued finamially embarassed for several years, during Whictl time ~ir. Walter grew ill and died. About this· time two brothers who handl.ed the books of the llistri butirg Corporation for several years to complete satisfaction, and :tu who 111 the Distributing had covered witn surety bonds for a nominal amount of $1000 each, delivered a killing blow. They forged two checks signing for Jack and ~vid Goldsmith together, and the forgeries were so good that the bank paid the checks which amountea to $25,000. T_he C. P. A's customarily came in to check the Distributing's accounts on the tenth day flf each montn, by which time the voucners were always returned by the Banks. The forgeries were committed JQ»xllRXXllXlDXX2miXJQ:fXll during the last days of the pre ceding month, and false daily balances left in the cneck books. On the very day tnat the voucners were retir,·ned by tne Banks tne men grabbed tne two cancelled cnecks and escaped by boat to their own country, wnich was Costa Rica. Distributir,?; could not collect f:00m true Banks because the (~) .::necks,,had disappeared wnh~n would nave servef"as prima facie evidence in its favor. Let it be said tnat several departments of tne Government acted ' • 108 quickly to stop the forgerers, but extradition between the United States and fa:mllma:Costa Rica only covered tne crimeS of murder or manslaughter, and nothing was accomplished either by the Insurance Company or by the Distributing Corporation, The Insurance Company, however, paid the $20UO for which the~ two men were insured. Friends and relatives in Costa Rica endeavored to help Jack to get back at least part of this money, but the two men, several times interviewed, refused to consider any offer, though their lives in their own country must have been almost untenable after the matter was ventilated, The Reader can imagine the chagrin and unhappiness that cau,e to Jack to report this awful occurrence to Greer at such a time of stress for the Distributing,and for Greer themselves. They im~ediately sent a repre sentative to New York to investigate the wnole occurrence,~~it reported the facts as tney were without blemish upon the management of the Company, Nevertheless this incident, added to unending troubles arising from the rejection of mdse en route, and the temporary impossibility of making collections o~ outstaru!ings to any appreciable extent, made it increasingly difficult for the Distributirg to carry on, It was decided to reduce overhead in every way posible, and to liquidat,e in as unobtrusive,:manner as possible in order to adjust mdse claims with as little sacrlil:'ice as e,.,,, -6,,e.~ .n, ~i ]]TH and~assure the collectionx of acknowledged indebtedness. The debacle was general. Firms like G, Amsinck & Co,, The Anerican Trading Company. failed. Some of toe giants of New York trading were swept away, Suicides were numerous. The Government, a novice to such an extreme situation, unprepared with any means to support the market, as our Government is in'these times, could do little or nothing, Matters simply ran their course, Out of tbis maelstrom the manufacturers who could no longer count upon intermediaries to secure busines,for them at new prevailing prices, sough11. direct connections in foreign markets, Jack was faced witb tne imperative need of getting starte d'ftrestl inasmucn as tne decision was irrevocable regarO:ing tne liquidation of the Distributing, He visited several of tne firms wnose agencies he la. had for so long all:lil so success fully conducted through tne Distributing and solicited their direct representation in Havana, his favorite field, Many were eager for such a conre ctt'Dy,.1,~~"7~~,.~_;;.b,c.ol'._pany,Smith & ~aufman, Paulson Linkroum, & Wm. Opennym' Sons,' A. J, P. Vorhees etc etc. At the same time Jack a.greed lo'f jlo follow up the collection of pastdue accounts in Cuba, wnicn at tnat time was over $90,000. El Encanto owed 1140,000, the Fin de Siglo about $17,000, Angones (La Casa Grande) about $10,000. The balance was distri buted among smaller factors, chiefly in Havana. The Dlig large accounts we nave above mentioned paid in full, without interest, in monthly payments extending~about- tr,a..,J!,a=;c months. Jack eventually adjusted the smaller accounts at an average of about 50p on tne dollar. ~ But Jack did not leave for-~ sa ual months after securing tne direct agencies. He had to JH' 311 his own as well as some of the Company 1 s affairs. The ginghams were sold at very slightly over the amountt paid for freight, duties and carryirg charges, and the loss was chargeable to the Distributing, as Greer had ordered tne goods for them. In tnis way notning wnatsoever remaired of tne invested capital of tne Company, Jack's and Claude '·s .shares beirg worthless in the final liquidated statement. ;; Jack did his best to help his office force to find compatible locations. Claude and Miss Phillips went with Smith & ~aufman, Miss Bedrick was given by Jack all the ready-to-wear accounts to serve as a nucleus for the new busire.ss she wished to start for herself, on the specific understanding that she would never interfere in any way with the agencies Jack was taking to Cuba for his own new start in life, !l,iss fedrick unsuccessfully tried to violate tnis understanrting on several occasions, but the manufacturers did not prove disloyal to Jack. David Goldsmitb remained with the ll. c. tc ~·:'("Its liquidation under tne general supervision of Mr. Louis I Ehrich, one of Jacks ~'ew Rochelle friends, whom Greer had accepted as attorney for tne Company. Now Mike, nearing tnat Jack had secured these important agencies .,...~:, e.· e., - ~Ji, . suggested tnat he remain in New York to attend toAtne placing of aJ.l orders, and tnat his and Jack 1s agencies be pooled under his and Agustin Rodrigu~z' management in Havana. Jack accepted the proposa~ and ~ ...... over remained in New York till Mike suddenly made him a proposal 11to take Jack countered by his agencies for $10 1 000, payable in monthly sums. making an im1..ediate trip to Havana, ~ doubling the sales cE: many products which he ha,d handed over to Mike and Roctriguez. They were very much astounded at nis success, forgetting tnat he had many grateful·cus tomers from the palmy days of the Distributing Corporation who now wished to help him. Within a few months Mike decicted that he wished to return to live in New York and as~.d ~10,000 for his participation on the u-'er- 110 understanding that he would not return 1tab.:l! .!,5~ ~~ at any time solicit the return of the agencies;( he t1ad now turned over to Jack and Rodrllguez, witt1 consent of ttle principals involved. Jack remained one full year in Cuba wittiout tlis family, not wishing to take the definitive step until he could be absolutely sure that ttle business in Cuba could furnish suitable support for his family., especially since Rodriguez and himelf had taken on the Jl0,000 commitment with Mike, all to be paid within the twelvemonth. During that year he made three full trips to the Interior, coverirg from Pinar del Rio to Santiago de Cuba, and at the end of that ti~had established a clientelle which vied in volume and importance with what they had in the Capiltal itself. Roctrilguez lacked the initiative required fo~ this sort of work. He was a mild, good-natured, plausible fellow, wi tn productive friendships amot:1g the Spanish buyers in Havana. ffe was experienced in ,: their ways and also in the meam they ,customarily used to get rich quick. He and a close friem- of his, Geledonio Navedo, who ceded stnleh~iaI?f;ifM_ies his and Jack's office,went in for this sort of business on the grounds that it was customary aruil necessary. Lt brought a heavy loss for all of them, and though Roariguez and Jac:;.~i!n;,ir,,e~;,,?,t~tners and tile latter was si~le, he was somehow never abl~;to fin~ tile funds to pay his snare of the cost of disposi[8 of such difficulties, and ~ack had repeatedly to put up for both. Somehbat more than a year after Mike and his family left for the United States it was reported they intended to return to Havana to live • Jack was not surprised for he knew now difficult was the road Mike had cut out for tlimsel.f. He was skeptical. when thefriginal. agreement was made, but Mike was adamnt in his intention. Now, tnougn the responsi- b tr was nis alone, his money was gone and he had to start out again ~ ~- . hlirn.:,.:l:f, Jack and Rodriguez decided to mak.e no claim on Mike, for he was in great trouble. On tile contrary, they maintained a hearty and harmonious relationship with him at all times, and the families were very frequently together. Jaek now decided it was time to go North and briig down his family. They were fortunately !i>Jle to sell their nouse in New Rochelle at its 111 original cost twelve years ~4a8,o; Now he heard with deepxest regret that Isaac . Brandon & ~rothers,. - were 11:nprocess of liquidation; thait his cousin .Ycivianwas st~ting to a,·• ,_'..;J<'j!,' sell insurance; that Irene Is husband, Leslie G,;:~fr~~was going back to ' ... ' -~ his originaJ. trade as a printer; that uncle .,.·_..,N!!-t.. ,, . Intended to carry on an export business for his _own account, and that lsaac was retired and was sharing his cottage in Ardsley-on-Hudson with Irene and Leslie. Jack did no telephoning. He visited his Uncle Nat at his small, new office in the same Battery Place building, and spent a most satisfactory half hour with him; he thellll visited his Uncle Isaac at Ardsley and extended to him his affectionate sympathy as far as he could tactfully _do so. Isaac was not tlimself; he spent most of the time speakil:l?; about -Viv, returning again and again to that subject. He seemed obsxessed by fear lest Viv iffzf be unalille to provide the minimum he needed to support his family, He forgot entirely to ask Jack how he was gettil:l?; along in Cuba, snowing no preoccupation wnatsoever on his account. This was evidence that Isaac was not quite his old self, and Jack sorrowed for him in his old age, though he fortunately still had su:tficient with which ,_;:-;-':t1 .-L to live decorously in the care of his devoted daughter and so _law. ·>·>·,·;~_;;-y--, _~cff:.4,_ ~. ll'ac\k also P.~i~&'.Yisit to his Uncle Sa!,!!.J#iluro, wtlo had be'" very 1 ill and still looked quite frail. A coldness had developed ih Sam; s " heart against Jack because of a thougntless remark Jack had made to a third person and wtlich was repeated back to Sam in a different spirit than what Jack had meant. Jack asked tlim to abandon his resentment, assuring · him of his deep regret, arn hopes and believes that he was ab1-e to re- establish between them somethir.g of the old sincere affection. Sad to relate, Sam died shortly after, to Jack 1 s great sorrow. :;;B ·1.r,,V t Y.t_,::1·; ·-:) .::·,:::aJJ t/Jr[ 01'.lJ:'}T ' Ctlapter }O 112 Settlirg Down in Cuba. 192, - 1925 Now Jack and nis family, accompanied by nis dear sister-in-law, Regine, were preparing to leave for Havana. Tllere were tugs at tneir hearts because of tne radical cba?l!;e tney were about to make in social contacts and living conditions, but ttley also cnerislled tbe nope tnat in Cuba they would find sufficiency and perbaps a less strenuous mode of living. Regine nad offered to come along and lleJ.p in making tile inevitable readjustments, and Jack could not find words enougb witn wbicb to tnank ber. Our travelers arrived in Havana. by ;arct Line Steamer on a brigbt and beautiful September morning. All admired tile muon.vaunted but ratner forbidding outl1Ms of Morro eastle and its battlements, and were fascinated by tbe City's picturesque creamy-wllite buildings · apreading out under tile eye of tile bellolaer in every direction but tile Sea. After tne customary excitement attendant upon landing, and tbe inescapable alarm wllicb attacks nearly all travelers wbile inspectors examine tbe baggage, tlley all drove up to tbe Edificio Alaska at -M and 23rd Sts in tile Veda.do, and took possession of tile apartment wllicll Jack llad sublet from Bob Salmon tC1getner wi tll tile services Qf Russell, tne beat all-round c_ook:,general bouse worker and handyman tnat ever trod tllis eartll. Bob's wife, Fa,te, bad Just left 'tor an extenaed Visit to Iler family in New Jersey. Tne apartment was very cool and comfortable, witb outlook upon tile Gulf, and tnis togetner witb Russell's resourcefulness and good-nature contributed to~stber 1s peace of mind fr~m tile very first day. Edificio Alaska was probably tile best of ijavana!s limited humber of large Apartment Houses at tnat time. Bob introduced tile newcomers to several of bis friends wllo were tenants in tile buildi?l!;, among tbem Jack Kaplan and bis brotller, Sam and Etllel Berger, tile Sesll:is', Ira Brussel, and snortly after,Henry and ~enny Liebman wno came to live tllere too. Of all tbe men Jack bas known in Havana., Henry Liebman was tbe only one in wllose unequivocal friendsllip be believed and fully reciprocated. Henry was of tile olu senool as was Jack bimself, but possessed a nexible mind and a considerate nature. His outlook 113 upon Life was optimistic and tolerant despite the discomfitir:g set-back he had recently received at the hands of Moses Stark, a self-confessed oN 1 ta:ssu "smart Alec"jl whom Jack knew well. Jack llad"many oooasions to admire ~enry 1 s pluck when the two of them stood back-to-back against the advocates of social inertia among the numerous reactionary members of the United Hebrew Congregation. It was really in great part due to Henry's support and encouragement that Jack was inspired to undertake the community enterprises whicn we shall have occasion to mention further on in these memoirs. Some time after Esther~s and Jack 1 s arri'lal, Lito and his wife Flo also took an aparment in the Edificio Alaska, sbarir:g same with Flo's parents, Isaac and Clarita Ma.duro, and Lito 1s mother, (Duduis sister) Anna Salmon. From this time on a warm relationship existed among them all. Other families likewise helped to make their group a happy one; among them Mike!s and Sfbil's, Solly 1s and ~ercedes•, .: I Adolph and Milly Weintraub, :includiig; Sybil's and Milly's very kindly mother. Gerald was also now in Cuba, boarding with the Merino family, then consisting of tne Mother, Adela, her son and daughter, and an uncle. They were a very warm-hearted and united family, treatir:g Gerald as thougtl be were a son, Indeed, the thought was father to the deed, for !erald married In6s, the daughter, shortly after, and a happy family they are today, with two grown sons and a daughter, not forgettir:g tnree grandchildren and anotner on the way. Adelats only son, a fine, charming lad, .was killed years ago by a crazed individual from whom he sought to make a collection in tne Interior, and this saddened the hearts of the loving mother and sister for many years. Solly and Uiiiiiilw•• also had three sons and one daughter. Things were hard ' witn poor Solly at this time for he was unable to work in a steady way owir:g to a diseased kidney, which eventually had to be removed while he was still in Havana. The family returned to Ecuador, and there, after a few years of much sufferilll;, Solly passed away. While toe family was in Havana, they had a steady boarder, Sidney Weil by name. ~e was the local agent of tne American Safety Razor Company. Sidney nas recently been elected President of that highly reputed and wealthy company. His poise, astuteness and devoted service during over thirty years earned him tnis great honor. Jack has exchanged letters with him re.oently, and he .has never forgotten tne years of friendship with poor. Solly and bis family in Havana. 114 From tne foregoirg it can be seen tnat it did not take long for Eatner and Jack and family to be absorbed into tne growing family group in Havana. Tney nad not yet joined tne United l.febrewu C011gregation, but Dolpn Winetraub was constantly after Jack to make up t:lis mind to do so, and Jack realized ne could not nold out mucn .longer. lie nad been invited ao attend one General Meeting tnus far. and it was sucn an obstreperous occasion tnat nis fir st reaction ·,1as to tell Dolpn, "Never Again". Here was wnett ne missed tne 1vell-conducted, cultured, effective General Meetings wnicn ne t:lad been accustomed to at ?ample Israel in New Rocnelle. On tne otner tland it was run;_in Jack's '-"'f~A·~ nature to resicte permanently in a com1:,unity witnout arl=i.11g some personali contribution to ff&progress~ r Iha J J • A Wp to tnis time tnere nad been no visible signs of anti-samitism in Havana. Tne number of iewist:1 resioents was small, and tnese were mostly of' Sept:lardic origin, wnose la11guage was tne old Marrano,. similar to tnat wnicn was spoken in tne time or Cervantes, and wnicn. tne Cubans seemed to enjoy neari11gJJg.. Tnere was also a smatterillg of Eastern European Jews, speaking Yictoisn. but tney were comparatively few in number, and were in no sense provocative. Suddenly tne imn,igration from Eastern Europe started to come in droves. quickly reacnirg • about a,ooo. It nad not been tne(intention of tnese people to stay in Cuba permanently. They nad come in order to acquire Cuban citizensnip a.Jt-a 'f 1k "tl!.J'.t>- ,__as soon as possible, navirg learned tnat Cuban citizens enjoyed special quota privileges. Noticing tne unprecedented number of applications for-Visas from Cuba, tne Autnorities in Wast:ling,iC>DJCtsoon transmitted instructions to tne consulates in Cuba to cease issuing PasJport Visas to Europeana wtlo t:lad eviaently emigrated to Cuba. for tne purpose ot by-passing quotas esta.blisned for tneir tlomelands in Europe. Ttlus tnis large wave of imn,1gration was, as it were, trapped in Cuba. Fortunately for tnem tney received prompt economic aid from tne HIAS of New York, wt:1O kept one or more representatives in Havana for saberal years until most of tneae people were on tneir .1ay to mak1~ a good living. Many of tnese im~1grants nad been bounded and persecuted 1n Europe, and nad acquired cnaracteristics wnico 1vere ant1patnet1c to tnoso wt:1O dwell in free comu,unities like Cuba. At first toey flooded tne streets, especially dur1rg tne tourist seas?n, as paddlara, and tneir cnaracterist~ insistence an~ strange ways and speecb annoyed tne Cubans, br1ngir:g unfavorable com1JJents in tne daily Pr ass. 115 But tnis did not teaze tne Eastern Europeans as long as tnere was no open nostility. Tbey kept peddling until tney saved enougb to start small stalls in tbe open, tbelilt sbops, tben stores at retail and ultimately tney branched out into open competition at wnolesale witb the old Spanisb firms in the M.tralla and Bernaza section. The English-speaki~ and Sephardic laws did not enjoy the dissonant note tnat the Yiddish Jews bad brought into their environment, but they were amazed to~ bow self-sacrificing and tireless these people are; how persecution,._hardened their determination to win out, now certain they were that tney would eventually overcome the obstacles which tney knew competition would set up against them. It was not long before tne colony bad its own places of orthodox worsbip, also its ~entro Israelita and otner social clubs. Next came their Creche for orphans and the Aged, and likewise a Society for the care of Tubarculotics. Al~ of these enterprises were inefficiently managed, but tney were evidience that tne Colony bad come to stay and was aware or its responsibilities. The United Hebrew Congregation rendere'¾a~ minimum of aid in all these undertakings, but did continue to grant free graves in tneir Cemetery during the period of the Colony's early development. As tne Eastern European group mellowed and became more prosperous, it also developed a painful superiority complex. Several leaders went so far as to notify Cuban Authori~ies on more than one occasion tnat the Centro Israelita spoke for the Jews of Cuba as a wbole. Sensing tne danger of this trend to the United Hebnew congregation, few o.r wbC&e members were citizens of Cuba, Jack got together a group . of six or seven other me~bers of the u. H. o. to attempt a rapprochement with the Yiddish group, his ulterior purpose being to remove from their minds ~bis dangerous propaganda. He also wished to smooth o'other minor differences which tended to create anti-semitism, such as the use of Yiddish signs in tne shops which tended to be misunderstood by Cuban ins:i;ectors, and also to offer the Colony a more generous oo-operation in the matter of its growing cnartiable requirements. In the matter of speaking for tne ent:lre Jewish population of Cuba, the Sepbaraics made common cause witn the United Hebrew congregation, and the Yiddisn organizations ceased to empnasize their alleged supremacy. For tne rest, several weeks of of negotiations led to ma:'..eand more misunderstandings. The demands 116 me.de for eoon•mic assistanoe for tneir cnarities were entirely out of proportion to tne size of tne Englisn-speaking community and far beyond r its ability to fulfill. Jack and bis friends beoame tnorougbly disoom fitted, and decided to cnarge off tbeir long-winded negotiations to tne account of l!:xperienoe. It was evident tnat tne Yiddisb Colony wanted to run its own shebang in its own way,believirg that it wa,onl;y a question of time when their vastly increased numbers would enable tnem to take OTer tne entire control of tne Jewish community. Of one tning Jaok is fairly certain. Strong support will nave to be given to tne United Hebrew congregation and tne Sephardic Colony, if tbese are to maintain tbe oomplete ind.ep,ndenoe wnion they nave enjoyed up to this. time. lld•, The Eastern Europeans are today a numerous anlli dynamioil.community,. 1n er t, and bave_atlained a degree of prosperity wbicn betokens their a,, iv e,.<,vt.., ,,,,.,._,,, ± n valu~ to tneir adopted oountry. They understand bow to follow up on cuballl national activities and nolidays, arui nave establisbed a new Community House and IIJJnagogue whicb will redound to their good repute, especially when a ijavara University.bred group comes into oomplete control, and Spanisb becomes tne language of the Colony as a wnole. At one time tbese people were inclimid to flatter~ok for bis honest efforts to federate tneir charities anal! unite,~bem in certain social _aotivities of wnioll we shall speak later, but we nave now to relate an incident wnmabproved to nim tnat independence of' action is essential if tne United Hebrew congregation is to maintain its unique position as a respected ana. self-supporting organization, affiliated with tbe American elements in tne ciountry, eve~..'- t-;imited way. The incident to whicn we refer occurred when Mr. Gustave ~ates was ' pres:it'l"ent of the United Hebrew Congregation, anr'I when Mr. Louis Jurick, ( a charter member of the Uniter'! Hebrew Congregation) had been elected president of the Centro Israelita de Cuba. The matter was of great importance, for its outcome enabled the Congregation for the first time in its history to pay its way oltt or normal income,and budget safely in advance. (Hitherto it had been forced perio~ically to give social affairs on a large scale an~ make special collections from members to meet past due obligations.) Mr, ~ates had accepted the presiaeooy at a difficult time, The income from membership dues was at a low ebb, There had befill times when the Congregation had nett tthe wnerewi th to 117 maintain a rl, abbi. The Cemetery was in a badly neglected state; urgent improvements were necessary for wbictl no funds were available. Henry Liebman and Jack were both on tne Board of Directors at tbis time. Jack bad been Secr•tary for a good many years and was anxious to retire. But ~ates would not nave it so. In addition be insisted that Jack join Henry and 1/lr, Stetner on tbe Cemetery committee. iack agreed provided the Board would give him a vote of coru!idence over a., limited period to find a way to obtain financial co-operation for the Cemetery from the Eastern European Colony. There were some dissentirg voices, . a.~~ but the situation bad becume so tense, that the majority gave rhe-11vote. Jack bad already divulged in confidence to ttenry bow be intenalled to proceed. Jack immediately wrote to all Yiddisb and Spanisb-speakixg ~rganiza tions tbat owinsjto tne decadent conditti.on of tbe Congregation!; finances it was no longer possible to oont~nue toe system of free graves whicb had prevailed up to tnat time. That non-.me11bers of tne Congregation would henceforth have to pay for interment except in cases of proven indigency. That there would be minimums established for infants and ,..,,.,,_...../ poor adults, anu a sli:Bixg scale of prices, influenced by location,._ in the cases of persons wnos1families were found to be reasonably well-off and better, after due investigation. There was an ominous silence for all sectors, when suddenly a flat statement was made on benalf of the Yentro fsraelita by its Pres:ki:Jent, G , . 14r. Jurick,tbat the Cemetery belongedAall tbe ~e1.s of Havana, and tnat ·. -~ the United Hebrew consregation was essentially,._ custodian for the entire Jewish community. Jack replied that the ~emetery was t;ggJi!ii¥!y of the U. H. c. , but tnat all Jews who wanted could be buried there provided they wer9iliHe~o contribute by paying for the graves. 14r. Jurick asked tne Board of toe u. H. c. to calJa leneral Meeting of the congregation to discuss this matter in open session. This was done. Henry Liebman displayed to the Meeting the original Deed to tile Cemetery. Tnere was no support wllatsoever for Mr. Jurick 1s point of µ view, and dlspite bis vociferous objections 1 the Meetixg confirmed the Boards' opinion that negotiations snould be continued in an effort to assure the co-operation of non-mem.bers solicitirg graves. 118 Very sbortly after tbis, a demise occurred among tbe Eastern Europeans and tbe Cemetery Committee was informed tbat tbere would be no payment for tbe grave because tbe deceased was poor. Jack made immediate investigations and ascertained tbat the man bad not been well-off', but that he was not an indigent and that his familJ- could afford tbe small minimum for the grave. Jack insisted upon the fee~ It was again refused, and Mr. Jurick called him on tbe telephone at bis bome to say tbat if tbe grave was not opaned immediately tbe corpse would be placed upon his doorstep. ~ack tbanked him for tbe advance notice, and said he would immediately report tbis intention to tbe Ministerio de Salubridad who would know bow to punish sQ serious an oiffense against tbe public bealtb. About a half bour later, Mr. Jurick pboned again, requesting tbat orders be given to open the grave and that be guaranteed payment of tb1minimum fee. Jack immediately gave tbe order to tbe Cemetery, but the fee was not paid. Henry and Gustave Kates asked I him, "Wbat now?" Jack said; 11Leti;s wait awbile. 11 Not long after,anotber demise " occurred, and a grave requested. Jack swiftly countered witb a demand thatt the fee be paid in advance. First they said this was an improper request and tbat they would not comply. Jack answered that there would be no grave opened till the fee was received. The fee was paid. The ice was broken, but there was still much to be done. The Cbevra ~adisna, a society of undertakers supported by orthodox Jews, solicited a meetiz:g witb the Cemetery committee. Their attitude was courteous and they immediately made a constructive approach to the problemn. After one or two pre.Il.iminary discussions, the following arrangeoe.nts were made: l. Every grave, even of tbe indigent, must be paid for by tbe Cbevra Kadisna, a special minimum being granted for infants and indigents. 2. All minimum fees would go in thei.r entirety to tbe United Hebrew congregation. 3. It would be left to tbe judgment of the Cbevra ~disba wbo could afford to pay more than the minumum, and bow muon. In sucb oases, all tbe overage beyond tbe minimum would be equally divided between tne congregation and tbe Cbevra ladisna. 118-A Inasmuch as the Chevra ~adisha was is great need of funds to carry on the increasire; volume of their gratuitous service, the u. H. C. could rest assured that tney would see to it that no opportunity would be lost to :t:11obtain "overages" from tne well-to-do. The Board of the congregation approved these arrangements, and while there nave probably been some modif:n:ations in the amounts collec ted as minimums since tnen owirg to competition from another 0emetery, the principle involved is still the basis of existing agreements with the Chevra fadisha, and never since that time nave difficulties arisen wi tn other ~ ewish sectors w~ct to the payment of graves. In order to properly vis ~tz; the importance of tnis agreement with the cnevra ~aditna, it must be borne in mind that in the case of newly established communities consistirg cbiefly of adults, the rate of demises increases over a given period of time until tbe population4 is eqpilibrated; tnat is to say, until tne ratio of births to deatns is stabilized. Before very long tne u. H. c; bad a very substantial income from the Cemetery, permittixg it to start the improvements tnat had been beld so lore; in suspense. In fact, tbe income of tne Cemetery at -4••~ one time wasAutilized to pay running expenses of the Temple, until ffenry and J'aolc strehuously objected to what they considered a deviation from the objective whicb the Congregation originally had in mind. The greatest of aJ.l tne improvements in the Cemetery was the acqui sition of water. For years tnis had been Henry!s great ambition, but no where near by could a source of tne precious liquid be found. Finally Henry met an engineer (a Guajiro) wbo agred to survey tbe whole neigbbor bood free of onarge prtivided tbe United febrew Congregation would agree to sb~ tbe wat~,..!!!tb tbe residents of tbat neigbborbood, wbo had up to now~depending"i:ir-tne dry season upon wbat tney could purcbase at retail from tne water-carts. Tne deal was closed on tba~ basis, and tbe engineer got going. In one sirgl~, .•~.~~},-,1~~~.. ~?,.~:~distanoe from tbe end of tne Cemetery property, be ~w~ter and'made a sounding. Tne soundirg snowed tnat tner.e was an abundance of water. ~enry tnen set bimself to buy this little strip of land at as low a price as posible. He succeeded, but shortly after grew so ill tnat it was impossible for him to start operations to extract tbe water. After ne passed away, J'aolc obtained permission from tbe Board of Directors to purchase the windmill from Tne Harter company, and all the necessary pipe lines and equipment. From tnat time to this ll8-B tnere bas been no lack of water eitber for tbe Cemetery or for tne ~ adjacent neigbbornood. Of course tne Cemetery bas !wt reimbursed itself for tne snare placed at tbe disposal of tne local community. Jack 1 s next mDve was to get rid of tne Ficus trees tnat for years bad spread tneir roots intolerantly in many parts of tbe Cemetery even to tne point of destroying some of tne older graves, lifting the grave-stones from their places. He consulted witn a friend of bis, Magrifia, tne agriculturist, who recommended bim to put in Flamboyant. Magrifia was disposed to supply them from bis stock of saplings, and finally decided tnat in view of tne cause beiQl: a charitable one, the trees would be gratis. Any visitor to the Cemetery in the proper season will notice tne colorful aspect of tne entire section, and tne considerable amount of snade tnat is now available. Mr •. stdner likewise did a marvellous job at tnis time, convertii:g tne stony, almost impassable paths, into well laid~out cemented walks, constantly extend:h.ng{into new sections of tlilis growiQl; City of ll!e11ories. He also carried to completion many alterations in tne JUIIIJI contour of the ~rounds wnich Henry and bimself had decided upon prior to Jack joinirg t\ilem in tne worllt, includi~ the rababilitation or damaged graves ana ~be proper al:lgnmen~ and decoration of tbe infants graves. After Henry 1 s passi~, Jack no longer bad a neart for ttbis work or in fact any otner work in connection wi~n tne Congregation. Jack saw ~ ~- 6,~ tnat tneAcontrolliQl: clique bad no ·:zn:" tne great work tnat was knocking at tne door of the congregation. At the meetings several members expressed unwi.lliQl:ness to invest any substantial money in. 1'-'1.-r" property for a new femple and community House because tney wer~ not sure tnat tney would spend tne ·rest of tneir days in Cuba. In otner words tbey were loatn to erect a permanent home for Reformed Judaism in Cuba, interested only from a selfisb standpoint, not from any ingenuous motive. Some .of those who spoke tbis way were already en.route to makii:g great fortunes in Cuba! 31 119 Chapter )6' C U b a We shall now interrupt our story to proceed with a brief synthesis of Jack's impressions with respect to the hospitable country which for upwards of thirty years has provided him the opportunity to rear his family in health, with a meed of happiness and perhaps even with a degree of sociai and cultural distinction. TO begin with, Jack has founn the people of Guba, rich and poor alike, to be liberal-minded and friendly toward those who make a reasona ble effort to understand them and work. with them harmoniously. EVen wnen Adolf Hitler was at the ac~me of his power and his agents in Cuba -(many of them socially influential, as for instance the managers o:t the Hamburg American Line,} - were preparirg a debacle for ti.le Jewisn people residirg in the country, the Cuban Government gave asylum to a floatirg popula tion of approximately eight thousand refugees, treating them hospitably within the limitations of the rattier hardh labor laws pre~ailing. Jack knows the facts beyon:lii.peradventure, for at that time he was in active charge of the Joint ttelief Committee, the local branch of the American Joint Distribution Committee, reoeivi~ all the refugees comitli!: through from Germany after processi~ them through the Immigration Department. Jack did not find it ever difficul~ to secure the co-operation of Cuban Authorities in various departments to make the goirg easier for these people, even tnougn many of them - especi~liy the native Germans - were at times actually belligerent over si:--.eie,r~-Y," v wnicn needed notnirg more than soft words to dispel. We shall· have occasion to refer once more to this in future pages. Cuba is a matchless land in many ways. It has a magnanimous soil, a sal.ubrious climate and is free of poisonous flora and dangerous fauna, sometning whicn cannot be said of very many countries on earth. Nature intended Cuba to providi~iUgar at the cheapest price to other peoples less fortunately situated as regards this commodity. This is her international "mission" in a sense, :But J.iiature and Mankind are often at loggerheads over such matters. other countries, near and far from Cuba thougnt it more advantageous to erect high tariff walls against Cuban sugar, so giving artificial stimulation to their own insignifi gant production, and enabling t~em to favor a small minor"-ty of, _tneir 1 own citizens whose enrichment llla!3 at the expense of th~ at ¥'.LJ1:a,. 120 Facirg this problemn which times had already placed Cuba in a dire economic position, Cuba had no option but to endeavor to industrialize in a general way, Presidant Gerardo Maohado,whose first term started in 192(' and whose first two years of incumbency were creditable in many respects, established a highly protective tariff in Cuba, particularly against those countries which had not been importirg from Cuba in the past, A reciprocal treaty wit~e U&il:,d States matiiifl 04 a... provided mag IL advantages for the United States,"although the tariff in that country ,..,..,.Ill~ aga.ini>t. Qu_pan sugar was , at all times bUll."densometo Cuba,l~,-J. This new tariff 111r s :JJc opened the door to widespread investment inP"'' manufacturing industri1;1s. Machado sincerely believed that he had conferred a great futu-re upon his people, but he did not realize the extent of tne inte11rests he v1as Offending, nor their power to fiOOHh The fact is that for generations Cuba had been an importing country and was still pursuing tne system implanted by the Spai:niards in Colonial times of getting rich quick at the expense of the Government. This proceeding had become a fixture in commercial life, and was no longer considered reprehensible. Importers were all in the same boat, and unless the system could be totally abolisbed in one effectuali1:i'JOl!i)m fell stroke, the high tariff would simply serve as a greater incentive to contraband. Machado did not then realize that he already had in his administrative organization venal persons who lost no time in fomenting clandestine operations of all kinds and in every direction. ~ater, s~ to relate, Machado degenerated into a cruel anllll wicked tyrant, hurried*"> an imbecillic debacle by his still more vicious henchmen. The fa,ct is that from that day to tbis, contraband in Cuba has remained an inextricable cancer in tbe body politic of the country. From tim~o time new presidents made efforts to destroy it, but it soon broke out again stronger than ever, under the aegis OJI:powerful~¥~~t!'ors in co-operation with foreign express companies and shippers. While great scarcity prevailed in foreign markets and inflation J-r1u- ~!;ft~ :tu Cuban farctories couli:t"sell their output at a good profit. ~ scarcity is a thirg of tne past, surpluses of all kinds beiQii available for export to Cuba. Recently the local mills have been hard put to it to maintain a profitable production schedule, and the situation may worsen as deflation gets into its stride. 121 Jack feels t11at foreign investors s11oulrl be recommended to keep clear of any manufacturing enterprises in Cuba until sucl1 time as c ontrabanrl is rlone away with; this referring particularly to textile business. He i.s unc1er t11e impression t11at a treaty or international agreement of some sort is operative between the Uniterl States anrl Cuba providirg for reciprocal assistance in uncovering clanaestine operations in MKM± 11eroic drugs. A similar agreement s11oula be quite as feasible covering all phases of c ontrabana betwean tibe two countries. Jack is waiting until 1t~e pres:id·ential elections in Cuba slater! to be 11ela in 1954,to approach t11e r1uly constitutea autl'loll'ities wit11 this thoug11t in minfl. · At the present time the i!e facto government has maae certain c omn.itments wi t11 the mili tary w11ich precll.l-t!es r1rastic action in the matter of contrabana. Healt11 -..,;:,, anrl strengt11 permitting'~ will in t11e year 19 55 have marshalled t11e power of inaustrialists and workers in sucl1 a way as to demand imme/!iate stoppage of contrabana in protection of t11e waning solvency of Cuban influstry because of this pernicious practice. Jack has approximately the following formula to set before the authorities to be: Every shipment from the Unitea States to Cuba anrl vice versa s11all be accompanied by a notarized copy of t11e corresponr'!ing Export Declaration. Simultaneously another copy of the Export ~eclaration will be airmailed by the Authorities to t11e Treasury Dept. of each country ( in Cuba perhaps t11is document should be sent to t11e Iribunal ae Cuentas). The custom House will be prohibiterl from releasing any shipment until t11e Tribunal de cuentas has compared the appraisal with the terms of the ·]ijcport ~ecla ration and placed an OK on t11e dut£eg~levied. In the Unite/! States a false Export Declaration involves serious penalties. The same penalties s11ould be applicable in Cuba. Perhaps betweem now an/! then the industrialists and workers can be induced to make r'!eman/!s of t11e existing government along the above lines, but as previously stated, it is questionable whether anything of permanent advantage will be gaired. As the matter stands today, certain textile products such as nylon hosiery for women nave become completely a contraband product, for tne local mills cannot successfully compet.e with .American mass proctuiction. This is a huge volume o:f business in itself which the Cuban hosie:ry; mills nave been compelled to renounce. This is just one of the items affected • .Almost all rayon anrl acetate piece goods are deeply affected, running into perhaps fifteen million yards each year. 122 Ever since tne start or World far 2, Cuba, like most other non-belligerent countries whose national income did not nave to be dissipated abroad, enjoyed great prosperity, Despite huge antt repeated depletions of tne public funds by outgoirg administrations, tnere was still enough available for many ll!m1I worth-whiliPublic works, Havana, the Capital City, has been particularly favored, and the City already bolds its place as one of tne most attractive in tne world, In addition to Public Works, private investment nas b~arge scale, especially in modern office buildings and palatial private homes, Cuba's history as an independent State tnougn short bas been rather turbulent. There is no place in these femoirs for political f . .. ~ exposes, Suffice it to say tnat Tomas jstrada Palma, Cuba's first ptesident, remains a pre-eminentlyuiilfiifiidpolitical figure. I Many of tne leaders in cuba~1s Wa.Dof Inuapendence were men of ,.,. . magnificent valor and character. Carlos Manuel de Cespedes and Antonio Maceo were outstanding among these; the former, tne scion of a wealthy and cultured class, who willingly sacrificed his fortune in tne tfiRf for freedom; rne latter, a man of the people, was a master strategist, a great guerilla fighter, whose swiftly dealt blows kept tne best of Spain 1s generals on tne defensive. ... But tne greatest of cuba~s great was Jos6 ~arti, to wnom Cubans reverently referXfs their "ApbstOlf His was a persopality so vivid, so ingenuo1:1.s, and so informed with graces of the intellect anll. the spirit that it is easy. to understand why he holds so.,.,_.. unique a place in the . From tne time be ~a~ a mere lad hearts and. . :,.'>,'_;,,,"·-·""'' minds ' of his countrymen • Marti suffered severe chastisement, imprisonment and exile because{of bis · uncomprflmising opposition to Spanish rule, But heitner :bl exile nor a growirg frailty could bush bis fervent voice and pen; even while in Spann tnere wasLrelaxation of his efforts to win frientts for Cuban independence. 8"13 efforts were well rewarded in the help that eventually came from the United States, but he did not live to see cubaes ultimate liberation, havirg lost his life, as did Antonio Maceo, on the field of battle. Before this, however, Marti knew beyond peradventure tnat ' . victory was nigh; that cuba 1s Star of Freedom was in the ascendant. The prose and poetry left by Jose Marti hJ.'1ee![.~imd for posterity as tne noblest monument ii their author. J • I ge~idence •-. 1::23 of his wisdom, tenderness and saintly philosophy. It would be a diff'icult task to render Marti's poetry into English. This is because, sheltered 1vithin the delicately sculp tured context lurk a poignant directness, a scintillant finesse which prove elusive, search as one may for an adequate translation. This points to an interesting truism. Although Mankind is one genus in the order of Nature, there exists in all native and inherited cultures an ethnic individualism which contributes its own imagery, style and rhythm to the Symphony of the Universe. We find the same quality of uniqueness in each snow-flake, in the petals of each flower, in the lines of every human hand, in theJU!!! unrepeated drapery of each sunset; indeed, in every object that meets the human eye. By this means Universal Intelligence manifests its infinite versati lity, and pours Its glory into receptive minds among the Children of Men. Marti expressed his con cept of freedom thus: ' "No nation on earth has a monopoly of human virtue; but there is a political state that has the mo nopoly of all the virtues: en lightened freedom. Not that freedom representing the vio lent domination by the down trodden proletariat of the once powerful rich - for we know that this is a new and fearful tyranny; nor that nominal, self proclaiming freedom, which on · certain lips-unfortunately the most vociferous-stands in the same relation as th~_ Cross of Jesus the Good to the banners of the Inquisition; but that free~ dom of usage and law _which draws its life from the interplay and balance of rights, which carries with it the respect of all as a mutual guarantee, which trusts for its support to that supreme, infallible monitor of human nature: the-- instinct of self-preservation. Such a polit ical state is to be envied; and for this reason, and not by _·any special virtue of race, the United States shines as a great nation.''· '·· J .;Jf;: ' ; j' Otller Marriages W~ddings, wtletner celebrated during tne winter snows ~tin tile blazing summertime, are neverttleless tinctured witll tile breatll of Spring. As tne old sayiqi; goes; 11All tne world loves a lover", and tile springtime of life is tne fairest season for communion wittl Eros, tnougn Ile be at best but a demi-god. Weddings fascinate us even wnen tile affianced couple are personally unknown to ~ ...2~~2,uolloccasions we are often content to occupy some obscure cornernto follow tile traditional routine, to bear tile tradi tional music and to listen to tne traditional questions asked by tile officiating minister. But tile answer to tllose questions is tne transcen dental incident in tile services wtlicn moYes us to wonder and to nope~. Even, confirmed stoics wait breattllessly for tile words "I do", taking ~~f,t~~ note of tile inflections in tne voices w111cnutter tt~,I,r' ····Olle.'..fee;i.s as tllougtl Destiny were invisibly present at tne mar;iiJat~altar, , ; :<-.:_:;t,Y1i lJ_';.:- rj)f;:,·~:., \f .. and in tile case of persons near and dear, a gatweriug of gentlifJ;ears attencil(tne fateful promounoement, "I now pronounce you man an,f ~ff'e". one is profoundly impressed by tile fact tilat tnese two venturers upon tn,,,ff.ea,-c-.,-,x,r,~,;,_ of Matrimony sincerely believe ttley can together successfully ctl~lenge tile pitfalls of good or ill fortune witllout loss of mu.tual respect and affection, and continue tlleir searcil for happiness and sereni ty by virtue of useful and courageous living. Reader, we are now moving into tile last, most crowded period of these Memoirs. Would it not be wise if we took Time by tile forelock and reported various marriages wtlicll concern toe Brandon Clan, setting aside for toe time being our original plan of cbronologioal sequence? In ttlis way we shall introduce ourselves witllout delay to several new entrants into tile family group, all of wtiomwe will again be greetirg; at the crossroads abead. -~Claude Is mariliage to-Helen Balog took place in New T~k City on May 15th 1921. At that time Claude was still with tne Distributing Corporation~ wniob was in process of liquidation. Helen,as tile Reader ' . . knows, was also an employe,e of tllat company, and tile marriage was aus- picious inasmuob as they bad known ea.oil otiler and seen each other daily for years. Ttley live at tile pr~~ent time in Cuba, own a chl$),'111~'8ilome .,,. _,\-"•' of tneir own, and !lave orie daughter, married, anu one grandoii'ilcf residing in Chicago. Their da.ugllter Mlll'iel is known amor.vJIler friends as Claudia, and is a. frequent visitor with ber very pleasant husband and little boy :bl at tne nome of tneir parents in Havaba. 125 Judithls youngest daughter, Doris, married William Robinson in New York on November 8th, 1922. Bill was a resourceful young merfhant at that time connected witn the firm of G. Robison&: co. of NY,''of wllicn llis uncle was the proprietor, specializiqi; in yarns and threads of all sorts. Some year.slater, tne young couple simultaneously with Ralph and ;t)elpbine, decided to make their nome in Hava.ria. At tnis writiqi; Bill & Doria live in their own beautiful home In the Reparto J:lanl:Jttx Barandia' near Havana. •rney have two sons, Don and Richard, the former marrled. Don graduated with honors from Antioch College; a young man with high ideals and a decided •••t=••••preference for the career of an educator, for wnich .be was fittii:\g himself. Owing to ~exigencies created by the War, be could not bring bis original plans to fruition. After joining the U. s. Army he suffered during a lengthy period from an arthritic infection caused apparently by an ina4equate tonsil operation in l:lis early youth. Wilen tne focus of bis trouble was discovered and'lbe cause removed be was fully cured and before lorg was snipped to Europe as a simple ~oot-soldier in consonance with bis expressed desires. He was severely wounded in an arm and leg at tile start of the Allied push tbrou,gb the Continent, and after repeated operations received an honorable discharge. He is at tne present time engaged in cultural work, but is quite as well fitted for business life, snould be choose to join nis father and m@xtv brother in tneir progressive business activities. Tile next'111arriage we nave to reportlx is tnat of.,~! . s sister, Regine Steinberger,''Jno was married at Eradfcrd, Penn., dtU"(,... w .. June of 1924, to li'redetick Rosenberg of ~ew York. li'red and ~egine had ~ta few years earlier Ii the nome of Esther an~ ~ack in New Rocbdlle, N. Y. while teglne was spending her summer vacation as usual witn tnem. li'red was at tnat time a designer of printed and woven fabrics, a solid and conservative young man witn all-round ability and good judgment. Tne couple nave two sons, '1lavid and William, tile former being married, witll tnree fim cni:hllren, two girls and a boy. The Rosen.bergs live in tile same Apartment l!ullding with Regine's and EatJer•s two bachelor brotners, Emil and Wil2iam cieveland Steinberger, and !!J-l are devoted to one anotller in tne spir\\,,wllicll so beautifully ~~~~~., their unforgettable Mottler, Mary Stei~~,, wno ~assed awaj a~J,c'1Years of age in J!'~bruary of 1948. Regim,, ,a ::,.~!}l, a woman of unfailing good-clleer andl\devoted wife and mottler, but 111 I a Iler · limited leisure to deeds of charity and helpfulness without stint, besides keeping alive oberisbed affiliations as a graduate of Smitbls ooilege in Northampton, Ma.as. Next came tbe marriage of Ralpb to jelpbine Wise wbicb took place in New York on November lltb, 1925. Delphine possesses a winnirg personality and tbe culture aru'!"sa.voir faire 11wbicn distinguisbed ber parents, Mr. & Mrs. George Wise, wbo in tbeir prime moved among many celebrities in tbe musical and intellectual wcn·ld. Tbe couple nave a daugbter, Susan, cnarmiig and sweet, wbo married Michael Holland anti is now tne motner of a little boy named Peter. Tbere were no eurtner marriages in the immediate Brandon circle until April 28tb 19:32, when Pauline, Esttler•s and Jack•s on:t,,1 daugnter,. married Juan Y. Diaz, a young Spanisb gentleman established in tbe perfume:ty line in Havana.. Tbe couple were married in tile ll'ewisb 'llemple ti. Miami,' Florida, THE Rabbi from lest Palm Beach officiatirg in the absence of the Miami Rabbi. Esther, Jack and Julian Brandon, the last-mentioned being the son of Nat Bran~on of Hew York, attended tbe ceremony, in whicll Mr. Diaz voluntarily gave assurances that in the event of issue, the cbil'dren were to be brc.ugnt up in their motner 1s religious faith. About one year later Juan sold bis interest in the specialty shop in San Rafael, and the couple left for Los Angeles, where Juan bad alw4ys longed to establish himself. Not locating a favorable opportunity to do so, tile couple left for New York wnere Juan 126 unr'ertook to learn tn0 •11ine business, especially with regarf! to foreign wines. lle is 3t,ill engagef! in ttlis line of busines3, resif!irg wi tn tJi;c; family at Forest Hills, Long Islanr', Ttley tlave one ctlilr', a sweet aaug.nten, Carol, now blossoming into womanhoof!, witn a strong flare for wtiatever concerns ttJe artistic sire of life, anr' courage anr' ability to seek a career for tlerself, Stle anr' tler r'evoter mottler are inseparable J.,.V comuanions, ana bottJ r'early belovea by Esther anr' Jack, - ~ On !1iay Sttl of tne same year, Jur'ittJ's youngest ctlilr', David Henry, namer for tlis father, marrier' Louise Liebman in Havana, Louise is ttJe youngest of ttJe ttiree r'augtlters of Henry anr Jennie Liebman. Stle is a gracious tiostess to a large bevy of frienas, ana tlas a beautiful tlome in Country Club Park, looke!I upon as a lviecca of tlospitality for her intimates. David anrl Louise have two chil!!ren, Judith and Michael, both finely brought up ana interesting members of the Bran!! on family. Permit us to interpolate at this, point that Judith had come to Havana to make her permanent home near several of her chilr'ren on October 19th 1926, arrivirg just one nay prior to tLhe great cyclone which has gone nown as the severest of its kinr' to strike Havana. Jack, Mike, Claure, Ralph ana Bill Robinson and their families were there at the time ( David Henry not yet having j oinerl them,) The City its elf was not seriously damage.rl owir:g to the solid construction of its builr'ings, but most wires anrl poles were /lawn in all sections, ana light, telephone ant'! water were unavailable for several days, Trees were uprooter' xi: on all sides, ant'! broken glass and rubble covered many streets, especially in the commercial sections, ' The next marriage was that of David Philip, Esther.~ s and JackSS eldest son, on June 19th of the same year, to IJ,artna Torok_, sweet and dainty t'laughter .of Sara T!lrok, and niece of Mr, & :Mrs. AJ.adar l:!ayau, owners of the Rembrandt Photographic Studio in Havaltla, · Theirs has proved to be a most compatible union, the couple having identified themselves with a large group of socially-minded people, tner~by making their lives fruitful of entertainme-nt and pleasure, Martha is an aler1; rliscreet and loving wife an/! mottler, an/! her abilities as a hostess vie with tne best, They nave one son, Robert Alan, now in tiis twenty-first year, tne apple of their eyes, and equally dear to his granrl-parents, Esther and Jack, • .,Q;_i ,.:11 1:lw b j I I I I I 1 .. ,. tr j '': "· ·cl, ,) :l . tolq .31..tm·.t.t' ,,._,...,', ,-. (' (J ;- .-.....'- ..,. J',le .J ..i:) . • I to BJ 127 In order to fulfill our objective and complete tile circle of marriages witnin tne immediate Clan, we must now perform e , I· Ile miracle and project purselves without furtner ado into tne year 1944. At tile time of wnicll we write Estner 1s and Jack's youngest son Earl was a mel!lllber of tne United States Air Force for tile duration of World War Two, and was stationed in Texas. He, togetller witll llis tl,4) friend Jack Berger, only son of Mr. & Mrs. Samuel Berger, (wno~we mentioned in an early cnapter were residi?:6 at tile Edificio Alaska wllen :Esther and Jack first arrived in Havana), bad left for New York to volunteer together. Tiley bad muon difficulty in enteri?:6 tne Air Force; Jack on account of being partially color-blind, and Earl because of defective vision in one eye. Jack went tnrougll a special optical course in order ·to correct bis defect, and ultiUJ&tely was utilized as a flyer. He ·p_iled up a meritorious record duri?:6 hostili_ties. F.arl was also retained in tne Air Force, but was never allowed. to fly, altnougn Ile made periodical telllis in tile nope tnat bis defect had been sufficiently overcome. Botn tnese young men served well in tneir appointed tasks, and both were nonorably discllarged and returned safe to tlleb.r respective homes. But Earl did not come alone. On October litn 1944, wbile still on duty in Texas, Ile married Gloria Grant, daugnter ~f Mr. & Mrs. Mattllew B. Grant of P1ttsburgn, Pa. We snall stop a moment to say tnat Estner and ~aolc are delignted indeed to snare tnese ollildren witll so excellent a couple as 14r. & Mrs. Grant. Glo:rla was a sergeant at .;;<' tile time Sile met :Earl, and Ile was also. She was a teaene~,,,Pt,:~lind fiYillS, otf~¢lilly ca:J.led a "link tra!ner~, tile only to ·.-.. \! ,, ...•, ·-· ··--·· ··~-- yJl!ff~~l;h,-::flz:::"f wnQIMsoresponsible a position was confided in tnat pa.rt of Un-e-cou.ntry. Tile 'd~ar couple nave now tnree 11links":to train, and _11.'reoious links tney are; tbe first is Leslie, tne second Grant and tne tllird, ~ . Judy. Glo _...... tnat tllis is a tougner job tnan sbe nad in tile Air Force, but i~ also !las ma~ advantages. She !las tier nusband to assist in tne tr~, and they can both follow tnroqgh this time all tbe way until t.beir,. "learners" are tully prepared to soar into their blessed years anead. Tne children are lovely. -Estner abd Jack sincerely believe tnat no grand-parents are more fortunate tnan they in all their five grand-obild1'en. ·, "'· r .· ·-u:Jd'- ~!JJOOOS - :JJU 'tL nl no j ' .J :.:,·_... slquo i .-Iu_,..,,,_/_l___'-f ,,.f;".6,...~,.:.H/1,,("f"..J '1'1:-,·<, , /U,,..,,.:.- (,._..,~}--&..-' 1,i,,(,,Jj+--!LJ;Ji/4:L~.. :.SlllOW ;gaoi: 1 - ~- ____:_:.~~.rr.1"" ' cnapter 33 1228 Tbree Score- and tnirteen Year~ of new discoveries. 1880-1953. No annals of an average lifetime would be considered complete witnout recordi~ some o:t· tne great disooveries in tne realm of science; disco veries wnich have increased longevity, added to the sum of human safety and comfort, reduced the intensity of pain and the danger of infection, improTIJd the productivity of farms and industry in general, as well as the quality of foods for man and beast, and vastly increased the speed of o ommunioation and transportation throughout the Globe. The seventy-three years which have passed since dack first opened his eyes upon this Whimsical world are replete witb sucn accomplishments, some or wnicn we will proceed to list accordirg to tneir categories: Illumination: Transportations Edison Incandescent Lamp Internal combustion Engine Neon or Cold Light for selt-propelled vehioles,i•• .. u.D}~ airplanes and helicopters. communication: Therapeutic: Educational Reoreative: The Jell , elepbone Immunization by Gramaphone - Cinema Wireless Telegraphy anti-toxins. Radio - Televiailll Tecpnicolor and Penicillin Talking Pictures. Anti-biotios Pl..1,p,-11--,""4-~ .~ 6'/Enzymes~ - Utilitarian Military and tifensive Appliances and . Weapons Household "'jefrigeration Automatic Household Appliances caterpillar ~anks - ~adar Air-conditioning Snorkel Submarines - Rocket Bombs Synthetic Tbreads and labrics Atomic Bomba and weapons Plastic Products of many sorts. Rocket planes - Wireless ,elephone Pilotless planes - . · Thermo-nuclear Bomb11&. weapons All the foregoing are discoveries pertinent to th~hysic~ world, &ii~bus WJT far have~succeeded in bringing Man closer to his Maker. As Jack recently stated in an exchange or correspoml!erice wi tbf bis sist, - in law, Regine Rosenberg; "It is not tbe passing of tne years tnat makes us old, but the .unceasing pressura,of events among 111:lichwe live and mOTeas puppets of convention and~our own frequently inauspicious volitions. . We forget that the nature of Time is evolutionary, no* reactionary, and continue to suffer pby:llcal and mental lesions because of constai:t ly repeated erran,which produce unwnolesome fruitage~ n #' !·...... ' 129 We are reminded in tbis connection ttlat tnere nave also been noteworthy aooomplisllments in mental therapy duri~ the past 7i years. Tbe contribution of Mary Baker Eddy in wllat is known as Christian Soienoe is ViiWNi1~ne most signifigant and effective of suob under takings. As a very you~ woman Mrs. Eddy suffered from wnat appeared to be an incurable disability, and in tne face of medical despair at ber failUt" e to improve duri~ a period of pears, sbe realiz.ed tnat if there was to be a cure it could come only tbrougb ber own mental efforts. Sbe set out ddently to filter from ne,fmind tbe dross, tne fear and tbe hopelessness tbat bad taken possession ot it. In so doing,tbe glory of a great Truth was revea.Led to her; the self-same Vision of spiritual perfection whicb the seers of ancient days ilia:endeavcred,without llltlctl suooess,;to. engrave upon tbe minds of an unready multitude. Under tile benign influence of this Vision Mrs. Eddy was completely healed, and decided to purs11ea Iler study and pass on 1the benefits to)( suffering JJW11•t:iµtluma.nity. Sile lived to an advanced age; a full, useful and marvellously compensated life. Mrs. Eddy incorporated Iler re-discovery of tbe Principle of Mind Healing in a Text-book tQ wlliob sbe gave tile name of "Soienoe and Health, witll Key to tile Scriptures", wbicn Sile entered at tne Office of the Librarian of Congress at Washington in tile year 1875. In tbis inspired volume sbe gave form and expression to the spiri~ual values sbe bad marshalled to.Iler own aid. Later she organized a scbool where many faithful adherents were taugbt the practice of Christian Science. Still later sne established in ber bome town of Boston, )lass., tbe First Church of Obrist Scientist where the service consists in great part of reading selections from the scriptures witll co-relative selec tions from Mrs. Eddy's fext-book. In tne course of years branones of the Mottler Oburch have appeared in numexrous cities of the Western World, and tne number of its adberents steadily grows because. " of the good repute and aelr-discipline of Christian Scientists who unconsciously radiate a sense of peace and o onf'idenoe wnerever tlley go. Mrs. Eddy1s theory o:r llealing si-n, fear, discord and disease is based upon tne exposure of tne erroneous belief_. ( 11 .r;t; 17. r ), that life, truth and intelligence are possessed by tile mortal or fleshly mind. Mrs, Eddy taught tbat there can be no lasting healing. until tile finite mind abandons this belief and turns 130 voluntarily to tbe Author of Immortal Life for that understanding ot Truth whicb perfcrms the miracle of healing. In "Science and Healtb", the Reader will find Mrs. EddyMsI tbeory grafically and practically explained. Tbe Ninety-first Psalm is a glowiflit example of what Mrs. Eddy teacbes, and tne Book of Isaiab 26:3 also gives us confirmation of the healill!t power of the Spirit when we read: "Thou wilt keep bim in perfect peace, wbose mind is stayed on Tbee; beca11;e he hath trusted in Thee." The proposition of' "Mind over Matter" is of course no new idea. In every recorded era of human history philosopbers have voiced tbeir conviction in the metaphysical nature of Absolute Reality. They perceived that this being so, true Substance must necessarily partake of the Nature of Deity, Author oC ~eality~ am possess the quality of immortality. It bas loflit been evident to students of the buman mind, tbat sensual impressions are untrustwortby for the simple reason that the physical senses are tnemselves finite, insubstantiaJL and temporal. They realized that the finite mind can neitner encompass, cope witb or comprebend Life's infinitude and "its infinite manifes tations". The ancient Hebrews called the omnipresent a&~mnipotent Power which directs, the Universe, ELOHIM", believing Bimr,.tneir sole Reedemer, but only a limited few ever learned bow to. identify tbemselves witn and partak~ of iis barmonious nature. · Even in this day and age multitudes elect to follow the beaten path, moving in a maze of dogma, superstition and self-deception while worshipping the ijalf of Gold in new forms of idolatry, forced at last to dally witn the ga~uan specter of a fiendish offspring of technology1' ~ .../4d.Af- { JacJ bas not joined the Christian Science Church, although he is a believer in ita Principles;• because of certain tenets be bas been unable to accept up tG 't.,his time, BTI1m:t;1111agM It is closely allied tel the Jewish faitb witb respect to these Principles~ but the influence of cehturies of' religious tradition upon the mind otr the~ evident in her acceptance of the concept of the dual nature of Jesus of tazareth, despite her well-founded claim that the Real and the Unreal never unite, and which is confirmed .by .,.:the,._unequivocal absolutism of the sublime ,i,) - ··-·------~---· ---~---· ------~------~. -. ---c: • ·T :1 . ; J: ,' r.... :: ; i::-- - -· ------·-··'---" ,.,.., q· ·.. . '.ii, . ,·.:c, • • ' ' .,.·,.,,.,.,. ') 131 One was Mr. Milton Weber, at the time the senior member of the & haberdashery firm of Weber Ueilbronner.,".I . The other was Mrs. Lula c. Twohey, wife of Jack Twohey, a silk merchant of high standi,~ew York, whom she healed of a serious malady after physicians haty\done all in their power to save him. Jack visited Mrs. Twohey about two-and-a-half years ago at her home in New Rochelle. She had recently completed her 80th birthday anniversary; still a faithful and stalwart practitioner in Christian Science, showing but few outward signs of the advancing years. Milton Weber passed on many years ago, but the memory of his altruistic friendship i.s as muon alive as ever it was, and il'aok1s • :---·. I '.' gratitude to him and Mrs. ~woney goes forth over and over again. J.i: 'L ,JJ Oi.f{j _,' Chapter 34 132 "Great Oaks from Little acorns grow, 11 Let us now revert to circumstances which prevaile d duri~ the administration of Gerardo Machado as president of Cuba, The new protective tariff was now in force, t,Iany new industries were constantly maki~ an appearance, several of them in the hands of Jewish people, especially those concerned with textiles, The old Spanish elements which originally controlled the importations of textiles into Cuba looked askance at these new factories, Their point of view was that cuba was fitted by ~ature to be an agricultural country, not an industrial center; perhaps they were not far wro~ in realLi~ing that the point of saturation would not be too lo~ in coming in many of the lines, and that between increasing local competition and the contraband, the smaller factors might have a hard time of it merely keepi~ their heads above watEr, However, Jack looked upon the change in tariff as an excellent opportunity to abandon the fabric end of his business which was weighing heavily upon his mind becausEfof bei~ honeYJl]lcombedwith danger, inasmucn as agents were being forced by competit~on to act as principals in landiDg merdnandise at illusory prices far-nwholesalers an.d re.ta. ilerJh . .,,__,?~ ;,#ld Thus it was that he sought and obtain, d sms•1 11 Ci I e internationally known brands of yarns, knitting machi:mry and accessories, chemicals and anilines to meet the growi~ demand, Among ttiese agem ies I was the du Pont company1s rayon and acetate yarns twtiich tie continued to represent durilllt seventeen years until du Pont decided to establish their own distributing firm in Havana); Scott & Williams Inc,, the H. ~rinton Cilmpany Inc •., botn machine makers, The Torrington Company of Connecticut and Canada, manufacturers of knitting needles, Sandoz Chemical Company, and taurel Soap company, tne.t first maki~; dye-stuffs and certain - textile chemicals and tne latter, detergents of all kinds, Stiortly after he added the incomparable Calgon, a water-softner 1 to bis line. Wtiile tile start was ·slow, Jack saw a wholesome business ahead as the numl:8'r cir looal mills grew in number. Moreover, he was deeply gratified to nave constant proof of tne loyalty and personal frierull.&ness wll:l.oh characterized tile type of suppliers with wnom he was now becoming more and more idsntified. Early in 1926 Ctaude and Mike bad got together to distribute imported silk hosiery on a nouse!8ouse-oanvass basis, Tile busim.ss was styled "The Gloria ..Hosiery Company"," apd so ingeni11~s.,r the plan under which tile sales wefe prom~ted, tnat ~ ibaa provedAan astonislling and profitable venture. It was only a question of time, nowever, wllen an intense saturation was reacned oalBling tne turn-over to slump to lklle point of loss, and at tnat stage a liquidation of tne business was tile obvious solution. Ralpll and Bill Robinson llad baan oonneoted witn tile Gloria business, and. tneir interest was aroused beoause of tne evident demand for noaiery in Cuba, espJ1Cially in sa far as tile lower brackets were oonoerned. At tbiB time it was notorious tnat tile buying power of the poorer classes in Latin Amerioa was so low tnat only tile upper elemen'la; used hosiery to any extent. .Ev'identl.y Cuba was living up to a refrain to tile effect "Los Cuba.nos todos andan calzados", and now that a fav;r.rable tariff existed these two young men came down to liavana to study tile situation with a view to establishing a mill to manufacture women1s and. children 1s nosiery made. of silk, rayon and cotton. .They had friendly connections in the Unit.ad itates who were disposed to invest witn tnem, ~nd this gave them an auspicious start. Tll•Y started tne ball rolling witll a mill they aptly mmed Robrand Mfg Company, s. A. for ttie enterpriai1B principals, Rotunson arut Brandon. Tile success was immediate, and tney were encouraged to seek for more worlds to con:iuer. Soon Robinson negotiated wittl one El.izabetb~mes of Norta Carolina, whQSe representative bad operied a mill makiqi.t81~'s stockings in Havana. Ttle eqt1ipoen.t was outmoded, but could prove tile A basis for better tilings. so :Bill and ftalpb took ovar tile mill. Unfortunately tile assets of t.ne mill did not eventualize per the origi nal inventory, anim ttiere was ttii.s and otner tecbnical disadvantages to overcome. Tile little corporation (kept quite separate from Robrand, under ttie style of Compafiia General de TeJidoa) started to wobble badly, and iack remembers not witnout satisfaction, that Ile was able to contribute to some extent to ttle tuture of tllia doubtful venture witn the big name, by obtaining t.he ~reement o:t two o!' 11:!s yarn s11ppliera to accept preferred stock in the Company in lieu of oastl in settleaant of past duela indebtedness. water the Cia. feneral de TeJidor/ became a well capitalized institution, witll added p~tners ~e la.duro and Baiz c!jij,tef.;siding in Cuba, and J~k was again able ~o serve it by buying back the saidl Preferred Stock at par for l:ialph and Bill. Some time later Ralph and Bill were able with the co-operation of Oil. & D. I. Stern of Hew York to take over a going, but badly managed Underwear Kni ttii:g Plant in Guanabaooa called tile Sedanita .de Cuba . " , tne proprietors beil:lg various members of th Ep t .. . . e ps ein family. l'.54 Tnis busim.ss held fa::-tb excellent possibilities. Just as Claude nad been jti 0 !Rdirect onarge of Robrand trs co., so Mike was given onarge of Bedanita, in wnicn ne invested a nominal sum wnich multipli tied bandsomely wben most ne needed it, Witn tnree factori:l snow "under tneir belt", and all progressing satisfactorily, Bill Robinson proposed that a separate selling unit~ be organized to distribute tne production of tne mills, Mr. Edgar Baiz . 11 . taking over tne general accountancy controfSzH gulf;me1~s credit decisions. Tnis was tt» fiftst combiaJd selling unit in tne textile business in Cuba, and it was excellently managed, incorporating as it did tne opinions of executives and salesmen witb respect to styling of merchandise ana tbe presentation of up-to-date sample lines con stantly on display at tne offices of tne new f1rm,wnicb was called Standard Mills of Cuba s. A. The next step was tne setting-up of a Weavixg Milllt for makil'\g rayon fabrics, No suitable buildixg being available... in ~avam. for tnis purpose, a deal was made witn tne Real Estate Manager of Qera.rdo Machado at ~hono Boyeros ( then called Ciudad Machado) to erect tbree buildings in tne industrial section wbicn Machado had laid out at tnat place. Fartunatejy far tbe Standard Mills group, Macbado1 s bour-glass bad run out just as tne tnree foundation sites were finisbed. Macbado fied fCl!r his life with his closest oo-adjutors, and the work was totally abandoned. As storage charges on tbe macninery were accumulating in tne United Staws, suit was brougbt against Lls.cbado •in absentia", and Machado instructeld his counsel in Havana, Dr. Marsden Leeder, to make as.equitable an adJustment as possible, tnereby avoidl;qi; the enforcement of a general embargo. on tbe entire property.~ u,.,~;, t.bis means, tne Standard Mills group, obtained the sites.,. adJaoent land free of cost, and .tlut building was continued and concluded for their mills; two buildil'\iS for Cuban Silk Mills and one for Oia. i eneral de '1 t Tejidos. Just when Cuban Silk Mills started to produce its first fabrics, FIICTate-1 Jack found llimelf in a position to offer Standard Mills a 111114·maki~ \ men's and ollildr.en 1s spiral and full-wrap fancy llose,1m: tn-e first one of its kind in Cuba. Jack bad a snare in tnis mill vritll .bis t·riend 1,5 Abranam Scnoenba.cn, of NewYork, the balance of tne snares being owned by Alberto Kaba and two brotners Rodriguez, of Spain, who bad been previously established in Mexico in the nosiary business. The tnree last mentioned individuals were not compatible to one another, and bad intended to liquidate the business, but Jack suggested that he be per mitted to try to se!l their boldings insteac, to which tney agreed. Jack first sold tneir shares to the Standard Mills ~roup at book value, Later be sold Mr. Scnoenba.cn snares, and finally bis own, a few years later to the same group. One of tne considerations of the sale of Cia. Textil La corona s. A, was tnat Jack 1s son llavid, wno bad been salesman for the fir~, snould be taken over by Standard Mills, and this provision was duly fulfilled. As a matter of fact, :Sill Robinson bad been Iavid,~s first sponsor • J a • in New York, wllen be kindly tiad .David with him as cub salesman at the firm of Robison and gave him bis first inst:iruction in tile art of salesmanship. Along about tile year it,o :Ba.vid Henry Brandon, who bad a first-class sewiig plant of bis own1manufac turing wDVenundergarments for women, merged/bis said plant with Sedanita. Tbe business· was moved to San Jose de las L&Jas, and tne named obanged to Cia. fextil San Jose S, A. DaTid took over tile general management of 1tbe said Company, and Mike sold bis snares Of stock and started out for himself again in tile business of tailor•s findings, wlliob appeared to nave a good future in Cuba. DaTid bad made very advantageous arrangements witb the associates or Standard Mills, and this was tile start of llis meteoric good fOl"tune. He retaim,d for llimself, however, a. business in laces and embroideries made on Solliffli macllines, tnougb for a time tile output was sola tllrough Standard Mills. ~I,~ standard 11\ills was now probably at tile 4- ot its potentiality in tile knittirg; trade; a well-balanced and well-managed group of manufac- turirg uni ts, in lligb standilg'; not only in tile local market but lilB" wise ~.;~~~can market, wnere tney en,1oyed unrestricted credits. Ti a :Ii 1 1 tllat the excellent connections enjoyed by the brothers Stern, wno eventually interested tnemsellves in most of ttie mills, likewise con tributed to tneir goodwill abroad and provided opportunities wnion were before long to place them in an even stronger position financlally, :But before these opportunities came into beirg, tnese firms were to expe rience a period of deflation in business followed by an upswiqi- ot infl tion consequent upon tile advent of tne RAnon~ wn~,A mn~ a- Chapter 35 136 111.l'uera lr!aobado; Arriba Batista". IfflJ..,ff./µi> Mention was made by us in Chapter 31 that the two first years or Ma.obado•s incumbency were decidedly creditable, but that thereafter bis regime. steadily degenerated into "a big steal" tar himself and bis minions, despite tne fact tnat tney put tbrougb some notable public works such as the Central Highway, the reclaimirg of the Jaleoon in Havana etc. With tne resignation of ~cbado's first Minister l•v•tu;ac o:f the Treas111ry, Dr. Hernandez Cartaya, a man of unimpeachable :,xmtid!x probity, it was soon known tnat tne administration bad made up its mind to gather in a huge harvest tor itself. Macbado1s son-in-law, a good-lookirg and simpatiooiiaivi;gut!e name ot Obregon, was~ General Manager ot the Havana Branen of tne Chase National ~amk: of New York, thereby oonaolidatirg Macbado1s credit position for a considerable length ot tima, during wbicn 1tbe Government o'b.taim d various loans -~~..x4'-e,,_,," wbicb made possible several of Macbado•s it _-q:,a-public enterprises. Altbougb tbe morale of tne administration was stem.ily fallirg, business conditiom in Cuba took a definite upturn, obeyirg the improvement in trade wnicb bad taken place in tbe Unite.d ~s and also tnrougnout Latin America. Tbe year 1929 marked toe -epa: ot tne upward curve, and Jack tounu bis volume ot bus1BJss soarirg beyond nis expectations, except at critical intervals when Maobadols misrule· ah-"N~~ . brougnt on active ..._.s of popular dillapprwal,resulting in martial law beirg imposed. F.a.rly in 1933 it was remarked by tne Press tnat u. s. Ambassad Q.uesada, son of tne great Libertador Car~los Manuei de ~espedes 1 to the Pres1ttency,de facto. lespedes was an able and respected lawyer, but temperamentally unsuited to SD hectic a Job. He lasted only from Aug. ~ 12th to Sept. 4tll., lla.tista tnen formed a government of wnat was known as tile "Pentarqu1a", a group of five men consisting of; Sergio Carb&, Guillermo Portela, , na,mon Grau ~an Martin, Porfirio Franca, \ Jose M. Irizarri Tll1s so-called government only lasted until Sept. lOtb, namely for 6 days. \ \ 138 Tnere was no alternative but to revert to tne appointment of anotner de facto president. :Batista selected GraUJI San !artin for tne purpose. For a wnile tne situation looked bopeful, but at tne end of four montns Grau was also removed. Engineer Carlos Hevia took Grau 1s place for 0 just a few nours 1 being replaced by Col. Carlos Mendieta, U neld tne -lteilsi .t.Jrejob down frbm Jaey 15tb 1934 to December lltb 1935. Tne next and last of Jatista!s appointees was Jose A. :Barnet, wno carried tne ~ load until Miguel Mariano Gomez was elected president of tne -~~epublic.,. for four years on May 2otn 1936. Sad to relate, Miguel Mariano was depriv-ed of tne presidency by an Act of congress on ~ecember 24th 1936, on tne grounds tnat ne nad interfered with tne legislative prerogatives of government. ~e was succeeded by bis vice-president, Dr. ~ederico Laredo Bru, a lawyer of good reput~ wtto kept tne presidency until Pulgenoio :Batista, now feneral, won tne election and took oath of off~oe' on October lOtn 1940, hts term being limited by law to four years. From tne foregoing we nave seen tnat tne presidency of Cuba changed nands from tne time o:ir.·tne ouster of Macbado until tne election of :Batista ten times in a total of not quite seven years. This is not a histcrical document, but we wisn to underscore that despite tne continuation of a virtual Absolutism, Pulgencio Batista bas proved under repeated stress to be a man 'or courage, witoout excess of rancor .a:ic.- towards nis enemies, a disposition inoliad to kindlim,ss, eager to improve tne educational advantages of tne under-privileged, a consistent friend to tne United States and an enemy of Russian Communism. A dictator:s path is full of pit-falls, and a dictator ne is; nevertneles s tnere are ~ny wno believe witn Jack tnat under prevaili~ conditions tne Cubans are better off witn Batista by far tnan they would nave been with the unmitigated scoun:tlrels who preceded him for nearly eignt years prior to bis last "golpe de estado" in 1952. Chapter 36 Hitler 1,Mepnistopneles Incarnate. 1938 - 1939. FollowiQ?; the defeat of the ~russian Army in the J'irst World War, and tile dethronement of that insufferable"' egomaniac, Kaiser Wiljelm IV, we find the German people wallowir.g in self-pity, craving llligbtily in their so-called "romantic tradition" tor some superman to worship and obey, some new li'llhrer who could snow them~ to do away with this preposterous Weimar flepublio under the naccid Ebert, creature of the abhorred Treaty of Versailles; a leader wbo would give renewed lite and vigor to the glorious Empire forged by the doughty Iron Chancellor, Prince von Bismark, who though still in the landff the livir.g, is far too aged and decrepit to restore to his people their pristine "Aryan superior i ty 11• And so several years go b~ until one day, out of nowhere, Mebistopbeles decides to re-visit the Earth in tile form of a lowly, but melodramatic, house-painter with a countenance bordering upon~ caricature, but nevertheless a wily, talented stentorian exnorter with megalomania bursting from his gutturals, and a stirring call to rebellion issuig from his often trothiQ?;, distorted features, emphasized by ever-poundi~ fists. This weird travesty of_a Wagnerian Niebelung, this heinous anti-semite, literally stops the stolid Germans in their tracks to·hear words of hatred and revenge 11pon the "Schweinerei" wno have bad tne effrontery to win a military victory over tneir beloved Vaterland, and inveigbi~ mercilessly against a paltry, undefended minority of loyal Germans of the ~ewish faith n11mberiQ?;some 450,000 in an overall pop11lation or ao,000 1 000. !bis QiiiitiQtfBinority, says flephistopbeles re .. inoarnate, is responsible for destroying the martial power of tne ~ermans by :distilling into their Christian life a Judaic oode whicb enervates and contaminates all wno are exposed to its influence. He swears to destroy tbis race in its at 1. enturety, start11'i wittl tnosd wbo are/\bis mercy in tile !aterland. Aot11ally be ends by destroyiQ?; about one third of the t~tal ~ewisll popu lation in the world before he destroys himself and his frightful band of intimate collaborators. This Austrian born 11psyonopathic" bad been badly gassed duriQ?; World 'iar One. So great ~ his fear of gassing that Ile oausel it; to be wnolly--·proscribed as a military weapon, lest the enemy retaliate.in kind. 140 On tne otner nand be chooses tne gas chambers as tne most desirable means of disposi~ of a great part of tne 6,000,000 JeJ'!. captured and herded to 11i1,e execution points in tne various countries n~on;iuered one by one. This Adolf Hitler, Arch ~estroyer and Pervert, becomes !ieidol of most of tne German nation; tne leader upon whom tney willingly place tne respon sibility of bri~"DER TAG" to pass; the long-awaited Day upon wnictl all • tne world will willingly or unwillingly recognize- "tieutscnland Uber Alles". As may be imagined, it lb not long before Hitler surrounds tliaelf with otner fieDds like himself'; Goerirg 1 Himmler, Goebbels, Rosenberg, . ~ . Bormann and man,y otners, together with less 11gnts ~ 1JII sucn as 11 Hess, Von Papen and so forth. Talent of a high order is commandeered to direct tne technology and finance tne requirements of tne lerman Govern ment. Himmler ttirougn bis ~estapo is soon in comuand of all political and social activity in tne country, carrying out a programme of persecution and torture of innocents and defenseless, beyond the power of' tne 11rdinary lluman being to conceive. Goebbels likewise proves. himself to be a master of infamous propaganda, domestic and forreign, tnereby co-operating witll Himmler until in almost every fcreign country, belligerent and non- belli gerent,ttie influence of Germany becomes a power to be recmoned witn. Germany is now become an armed camp in its entirety, to a degree tnat tne world tia& never before experenced. A few visiti;>rs from Abroad, (for very few were allowed), among ttiem Cllarles Lindbergh, tile Amer.ii.can· aviator, (who it was reported affl;Q3i~tH~Ht~gewa~~man attitude towards tne Jewish people,Jupon bis return to tne United States informs tile author ities in Washington tnat ~erman aviation, tanks and submaJ:ines surpass in numbers and effnieru:y tne combined resources of tne Western kations. I ~e is said to nave reported as well tnat it is nis conviction tnat Germany in tne eYent ctr a war in Europe woulllllbe tne victor. It was not long before Hitler took over Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary an~ Caecmoslovakia, tne last-mentioned being a peace offering f'rom Engl'hnd and France despite tne existeru:e of' treaties which guaranteed its independeru:e. Hitler bad promised tnat nis conquests would end here. A fewFPntns later in one of bis speeches Hitler exclaimed tnat treaties were •merely scraps of II paper to be deattroyed when no longer convenient.· He bad been warned not to attack Poland lest a war ensue. So be proceeded to tne rape of Poland, and World far Two burst into being. To keep Russia out of the war, Hitler offe~~tbe Ea.stern half of Poland, and tile offer was accepted~ 141 As in the case of the First World War, the lermans won most of the battles on land and sea, under the sea and in the air for several years, but the final. battles startiQ1; witll Alamein an'l11endiQ1; in :Berlin where the Americans ••tttrg waited for the Russian army to join them to share the honors, were won by the Western Allies. Berlin was taken in 1945. In 1946 y the .-l"apanese surren!l'ered to the Americans. While the atomic bomb hurried the hour of the surrender it is generally admitted that the Japanese were already conquered. llespite the great loss of life caused by the Bombs, the net result for the attackers as well as tile attacked was probably to minimize the loss of life. J.J The United States did not become an active belligerent ilmtil ]lee.. ember 9th, 1941, when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbtr in Hawaii, destroying a large part of the American Pacific Fleet. The War was replete wi~h deeds of personal and mass heroism, but the courage and s"liladfastness of the British after -the occupation of France, when England stood alone in the West against tthe might of Hi tler 1 s bombing, seems to many to be tile highlight of ~he War. Had England capitulated, Ha other nations ha~ slijiOOilii under far less stress. W.. .tler ,would have ec.CI,lly,,l( ..(+eeu. - been tvomplete master of Europe, and the United States;would have bad to defend i.r own coasts against the invader. But it was at tnis time that Hit;Ler committed his first fatal tactical error. Instead of continuing his attack in greater force against England, he attacked Russia without notice, fearing to turn his back upon her while cross1Q1; the Channel to England. Germany never recovered from the ill-fated Russian adventure, despite the col)(ossal losses .tlmJ; inflicted upon tne Russiand. The effort ended in very muon the same way as itt had for fapoleon befa:re his final defeat nn the plains of \'j'aterloo. The world generally admits that the Western Nations could never have carr:e,d the war to a successful conclusion had it not been for the ~conomic support as well as the nerculean production of armaament fn the United States, which provided every possible sort of mat6riel to all the allied forces. By the same token, Europe could nett stand on its own feet ~ven at this writing were it not for the incessant aid the Allie4 JationsI· ' 1ve been receiviig from the United States, apart from the fact that because I . of Russiaks unwilli~ness to co-operate in the sense o:f universal peace, ;:: American forces are still Jiaintaining the status-quo at every strategic point, in addtiiton to providing protective installations in non-belligerent 142 countries favoring; tne Western Nations.,. in exchange for financial assistance and treaties of mutual security. World War Two is over as far as tne macninations of Hitler, Mussolini and otners of tne same ilk are concerned, But Russia nas been carrying on a new type of wnat is called "Cold War" against world democracy and sucn nations as would by preference abide under tne democratic aegis. Russia nas not yet fired one snot tnat tler opponents could claim to be tne start of a new war. Stle nas, nowever, duplicated in effect tne early accom plishments of Hitler, taking over one by one Rumania, Bulgaria, Hungary, Czecnoslovakia, Poland Xlllll jjlast 9ermaey, as well as part of Austria. Stle bas done more tnan tnis by sprea,ti~ bar influence and aiding and abetti~ China and Indo-Cnina ·in :tlUI wars respectively against tne democra tic elements in core~ an~ Indo-Cbina. In addition to all tnis sne nas ~--,: established ... a:n~spionage in all democratic countries tne extentt and inten- sity of wnicb bas never been equalled in world history. At tne start of World ~ar 1wo tne President of tne United States nd tne Premier of Gr6atBritain issued a joint statement to tne effect tnat ost-war adjustments would not be based as in tne Past upon tne outmoded policy of ~lance of Power, but upon just evaluations based upon demographic and eth~ic majorities. As tne War iiiiidits end, ncmever, it became increasi~ly eviaent tnat tnat tne old Balance of Power tneory was tne only system Britain as well as tne continental nations of Europe could logically follow. Roosevelt realized thms fully for be was ~n active partbcipant in tne top level meetings witn Rus~ia at which spheres of influence were traded in tne old-fashioned traditional style. Britain is, of course, in a particularly anomalous position as a freedom-loving nation because sne above all otners is bount! tight to a policy of imperialism. Nott being self-supporting or self-sufficient~ even11to a moderate extent, she must struggle to maintain ner possessions and influence in botn hemispneres or yield Q her supremacy to others. Time may unfold a means of securing for herself political security witnout imperialism, but in tne meanwnile wre.,tner xn she play.s tne role of a stern mistress or an appeasi~ one, tne Sun of ner international mastery seems to be setti~. It would also seem tnat sne would nave been more respcted amoig;free peopJe,s arffl 14) far better situated today if she nad played fairly with tne letisb pioneers in Palestine from start to finish. She is now in tbe almost intolerable position before tbe civilized world of being diP~eiAiji!Rg Moslem peoples for wbome oil sbe sold ber honor. In accordance witb tbe Balfour ~eclaration, officially approved and implemented by tne tben ~itisn Government and officially approved by most of the civilized countries of tne ,.._ world, sbe accepted tne Mandate to prepare Palestine as a Homeland for the ~ewisb people. Durirg tbe war, in wnicn tbe Arabs sided witb tne opposirg.countries, tbe Pales tinian Jews gave of their limited man-power am treasure to co-operate anormymously with tbe ~ritisb Armies. All was well at tbat time; Palestine was proving to be tne land o~ salvation for tbe decimated people of Israel, a people wbolly abandoned to tneir fate by tbe Cbristian world. Suddenly petroleum in buge quantity was discovered in tbe Jutab lands. The cupidity of tbe Petroleum Cartels in Britain and tne United States was now in tne saddle. The Govt presided over by Bevin could not disguise its imperialistic trends. Soon tbe pioneers in Palestine were aware of tbe British intention to sabotage tbe Mandate. Restrictions, growir:g apace, in tbe volume of immigration; prohibition against arms and armament; full military control by small British garrisons tbrougnout tbe land; official advice tbat tne settlers would nave to ppstpone indefinitely tw•t:r the fulfillment of tneir aspirations in a national sense; all these signs pointed to disaster for 1tbe iews,~ jeopardizing as well tne huge sums tnat Jews and Christiana the world over had been investing in the future of Palestine, trusting to tne good faith of Britain. The quick retaliation of tbe pioneers was a shock to tne smug careerists in London and tne arrogant military stationed in tne Holy Land. The Jews accused England of sabotaging tne Mandate for ber own venal purposes. England countered by sounding a call for ~·tttt'l!Jllll partition in order to embarass tne settlers furtner. Before sne·got tbrouisn, partition bad been ordered and forcibly imposed upon tbe settlers, and Britain bad established tbe synthetic Kingdom of Jordan under ber own ••rq,,i.uspices to push tnese obstinate Jews into tbe Sea at tne first sign of rebellion. But tbe going was too not for tbe Brittisb troops in tales- ~ tine an-at world opinion was beginning to weigh upon tbe London Government. 144 Better to get out from uncter and save Bevinls face, thought they. St they ~ dumped the lliia.ndate into the lap of the United Nations ijrganization believing ' that in tnat august body t>ritain would be sheltered by her close attachment to the interests and policies of the American Government; that the Jews would get tttheir deserts 1' at the hands of the Security Council. The ot1l;;comeof all this infamous blundering is now indelible history. The lewisb settlers proclaimed their autonomy and brought into being a new nation which they named the State of Israel. England received her fist jolt when there was immediately a race between the USA and the Government of Russia to recognize the new State, followed by recognition fl'QJmother countries one after anotner. At the time of withdrawing tne ~itish troops from Palestine, t ne ilritish left all the outposts-fully equipped with arms knowing that ~~n Arab nations would now pounce simultaneously upon Israel, and would/\take possession ot these strategic positions. But their judgment was all wrong. Israel's victory over its enemies was total, and the support she received from abroad grew steadily in dimensiona including financial assistance from tne United States Government, ~espite the influence Of' tne Petroleum Cartels has never lost sight of the fact that Israel ALONEld:i: tnrougbout tbe Near East can be counted upon to serve .Democracy shoul~ emergency arise. Tbe proverb is still filled witb truth wtiich says: n The stone whicb the builder rejects, often becomes the chief corner-stone." If tbe United Nations ~rganization can find a way to bring Peace t;;_toe ' ~ Near :Ea.st, by insisting tnat the .Arabs convert the uncertain armistice into treaties of peace, to wnicb purpose the State of Israel is dedicated, Israel will in!eed prove to be the corner-stone of a new and v~ •tt-»c:t group of nations seekix:e; tne betterment of upwards or"t..7million under-privileged souls. , As far as Russia is concerned, while internal difficulties may at some future time bring tne Totalitarians to their knees as bas happened in Germany, it is too early to prognosticate with assurance. It does seem ·. safe to assert,however,taat in tbe shadow of the Hydrogen Bomb no govern ment is likely to risk its own survival for an alien country. If Cbina wishes another round in Corea or elsewhere and a bomb is tnrown upon her by the armed forces of the Unit~d States, Russia is unlikely to retaliate. r4ao /1/J ~ ltCo ~~ ~ ~ 91~ 147 We nave arrived at tne period of Jack's life wnen ne was to give of nis best to secial service in various directions. He bas often tried to assess its .net r•sults and actual validity weighed in tne scale witn tne personal sacrifices entailed. It certainly fell far snort of bis sincere desires, and be was often oonsoious of bis own snortoomings. Nevertheless, be suffered most intense1y from tbe unending selfishness, policy-playing, Jealousy and frequent bad faitb of tbose ~»i wbom be was to a point forced to depend. Tbis was unfcr tum tely not; confined to undertakings connected witn 'lille Cuban goverlllllent officials, but equally so witb members of tbe Jewish community in Cuba, an~, wnat 11as most sbookirg of all to bim, tne stumbling blocks tna1t. were put into bis patn on more tnan one occasion by tne clique in control of tne United lebrew Congrega tion. Tbe power of tnis clique nas weakened considerably since tnat time, or is it perhaps tnat tbe cbaraoter Of tne individuals concerned nas mel lowed witn time? Be tnis as it may, tne new generation bas demonstrated its ability to take ov~r tbe re~na witb far greater understanding and good conscience than its predecessor. Jack is convinced tnat he was 11abead of bi:; time" in several of bis undertakings, but tnat none of tbe seeds ne was fortunate enough to plant nave proved entirely sterile. During 19,9 wnile attending a meeting of fewish mercbants in the Calle Muralla, who ~ere conferring witb a view to combat Nazi influence wnicn was takirig root in Cuba, be met Jorge Roa, a Professor in charge of tbe School of Social Sciences at Havana University. Prof. Roa. nad agreed to attend the meetire; for ittw purpose Cll!:co-operating with the Jeiwsb Colonv agaimii unconstitutional ·acts which certain Nazi-minded German6 and •v(~) . SpaniardsLwere attemptirg -- ed:4ellif~,!!g to perpetrate. Roa 1s interest '" ·@ was also in putting a stop to a series o.f anti-semitic articles wtlioh had been appearirg in tne daily Spanisn ne.~ape;:s, C~ly in tbe Diari~ de la Marina. Being a Catholic it is :;·;;:;j'";t:iI 1 w sometii~ of' Roa s t background 1n order to evaluate tl1s co-operation. t He had been an exile from Cuba duri:r:g tbe Machadato; a bitter opponent of Maobado and bis vicious group. He fell 111 in MewYork with an affection of tne lungs snortly after be had met Prof. Isaac Seligman, tben president of Columbia University. A great and lasting friendship developed between tbe two, But first Seligman sent b1m to a • sanitarium in Saranac, NY, wner• he recovered his health after about a year. 148 Rigbt after, be spent an additional time at Seligman's bome :bl at ~ake Placid, gain1r.g back tlis strengtb and using to tbe fullest tbe amazir.g library wbictl fSeligman placed at tlis disposal. Still later ne placed Roa under tbe care of Dr. Edgar Mayer in flew York, a lung specialist of note wtlo was also a professor at Cornell University. Roa assisted in some work at Columbia, and also delivered several lectures in SoUJ:tnern Colleges on Social Science wnicn were arranged far bim by Dr. ~eligman. ~ He also met through tne same medium several distinguisbed men in Washington at the time, witn wbom Roa corresponded for many years. Wben Roa returffl d to Cuba after Macha-do's downfall, Prof. Seligman came down to re-vamp tbe Cuban tax system, he bei~ known principally as an Econtlmist. After a lor.g and tedious peri01! of study, in wtlic h he receiv,ed active assistance from Roa, Seligman made his recommendations. Tbey were so ~xtraordinarily bide-bound tnat bad they been accepted by the Government, contraband and tne filteri~ o:r tbe public rums would have been impossible. Seligman left Havana after concludir.g tbe job. His bill for services was never paid, nor was bis work utilized in any way. Later be wrote ttle Government to pay the amount owir.g to him to a series of charities. Cuba was too busy XII cllangir.g presidents at tbis time to give mucb attention to these less urgent matters. By virtue of Roa*s tnen considerable influence at tne University; Edgar Mayer came frequently to Cuba as ttle first liasson professor between any American University and tne Havana University, Cornell tberefore receivil'€ I . b~ · tbia nonor. Dr. Mayers lectures and A recommendations at tbe sanatoria were greatly appreciated, and reciprocal visits from Havana medical men to Cornell bm~ regular tbing, especially witn respect to parasitic diseases. Roa•s heart was full of gratitude to tbe two Jewish men who bad so generously provided for him duriq?; the period of his illness in tbe United States. He wished to give tangible evinence of tbis gratitude to tbe Jewish colony in Cuba, and asked Jack to watch for opportunities wbere tle ~ ould be of service. Dr. 6eligman bad recently passed away, an~ tbis caused Roa to redouble bis efforts in the above respect~ Jack esteemed Professor Roa for his many good qualities, and was l)atient wi tb bis foibles, whicb never outweigbed bis virtues. Roa, on the other hand, clur.g to Jack, apart from their compatibility, because be was a link witb the United States wbicb Roa loved, and tbe J,ewisb people wbcse \ .· ,, mentality be so deeply admired. Roa insisted tb&,t \~ck s~~,;~'(c~t;t his 149 associates, salient amoi::g tnem beii::g Carlos ~aladrigas, an attorney by -prote ssi on, and Enriqua ~aladrigas, a physician. He also met Dr, Pedro ouri, bead professor oc Parasitology at the Univer~ity, a deligbtfUl person not to be confused witb bis brother, also i;fPnysician, but not very well balanced mentally, Dr. Pedro Kouri was likewise bead of' tne department of vivisection, wbicb Jack visited and bad proved to bim tnat the innocent subjects of experimentation were never permitted to suffer, though tney contributed beyon1!1maa.sure to ameliorate human disease and sufferii::g. At tnis time Carlos Saladrigas was :Batista•s Premier, his rignt-hand man, possessor amoi::g a limited few of tbe famous "rii::g" wMichgave nim right--at- way at all times ~ to the confidence of :Batista. Enrique, his brotner, ' had recently been appoint.ed to the nigbest position in the Ftnlay Institute, o1,t.F wbicb preoipi tated eui ty betweerm bim"and Dr, Domixa;o Ramos, tbe then inoum- ben} di who refuse& to tender his resignation so that Saladrigas could take charge, Unabl~ to do anythii::g about the matter, .Enrique tnought it best to dlet sleepirg dugs lie, ~ and devoted bimsel~ to tne deTelopment of an idea suggested by Roa, which was to accept tile suggestion of tne Government of Mexico to establisb a branch of tile Instituto Finlay there, and from that ~ •oint proceed progressively towards tile reoup.eration \~,;.oug°Athe world of tbe JI:1r,c.,fJ1':rCarlos J. Jl'inlay, tile discoverer or -. mosquito genus as tllle sole host far the dissemination of yellow fever germs, 1/111!m culprit of all tne epidemic~ and terrible mortality consequent upon tnis disease. Hearing Roa al111!Saladrigas di.souss tlli:s matter, .Jack begged to interrupt witll tile suggest.ion that Wasllii::gton instead o:lf -exico City be made be liJade tile 11sede 11 of tne proposed organization, and thactit be not named a branch of tile Institute in Cuba, but be incorporated as a separate entity .. :ii> . under tne style Finlay Institute of tile Americas, whereby it would become tbe oynosure of tile Amell.J.canGovernment itsdlf, bent at this time upon doing full justice to all Spanisll-American claims of genuine ctlaraoter. It was t proverbial that toe functiol:la11ies in Wi:f~on had for many years side- traolted the great discovery of Dr. li'inlay:l\to entnrone tne accomplishm.ents of the American, Dr, falter Reed, wno discovered nothing except now to prove ~ f in practice tnat the Finl.al tneorv. was absoiute. Dr. Reeds tremendous job -ni~!M-f ~ in testing tne tneory 1 and eq r:t\Jli '"'' 12 a11; to eradioate ltlle mosquito bad been allowed to overshadow tbe basic importance of li'inlay 1s discovery. And tllis was tne time to get the Fm government to acknowledge ttle. worldts debt to Carlos J. J?inlay! 'f'.<;'/~~•~,,,<~~ 150 tM4.,I.~ Jack submitted for t,lle jmtg LL of llis frien'l'!s tnat to start tile work in Mexico would prove 4alel!I!:an anti-cl:li.max,and deprive tile memory of Finlay of .tl!,best chances of American 1rm11v recognition and llonors. Jack 1s argument " so intrigued Dr. Saladrigas and otners to wnom Ile spoke at tile 'lnstituta tnat Ile invited Jack to become arul honorary member of tile group which walll'being formed to further tllis idea, and wllicn later included both Ill-, Roa and Dr.,, Edgar Mayer. Later Jack, was made recordiQ?; secretary and translator for tile group, whicll in due course received an invitation from the State *'apartment in Washington, tnrough the intervention of Di-. flia.yer and his close friend Sol Bloom, Chairman of tile Foreign Relations Committee of the Hous;e of Representatives in Washington. More about tllis invitation later~ At about this; time, Jorge Roa asle.d Jack to llelp llim put over what Ile called an Institute Cubano-Norte Americano de Cultura,witll the llelp of botll governments. Carlos Saladrigas llad told Roa that Patista was delighted witll the idea and would support it. Jack went with Roa to visit tile tnen A~rican Ambassador, the Hon. Butler Wright, wllo received tnem most cordially and promised to ascertai.n as quickly as possible if the State ~pt. 'n Washington viewed tile matter witb sympathy and would contribut~ in some ay towards its accomplishment. Mr. Wright also promised to speak confiden tially witll Jes~ ~anuel COirtina, wllo was Minister of Foreign Affairs in Cuba. after about two weeks Roa and "ack were summoned to tile Embassy an'll! informed by Ambassador Wrignt that tile idea llad fallen on fruitful soil, and tllat tile State Dept. bad instrur.ted llim to report on the personnel of tnose wllo would be tile charter members of the plan, at wllich time tile State department would inform tile group just wllat it would be in a position to do with respect to providing an appropriate library in jinglish and pe,rhaps teachers of English and American history t~ co-operate with tthe Cubans who would be in cllarge; Roa and Jack tllen set to work to selectv tnQ~i!t8tnnel, among whom were several American busirass men, Hl[JlgleIJ iame'sl ffedges; Philip Rosenberg, and a few members bf tile American Club; an'l'! on the other side severa"l professors of the University, a member of the Cuban Supreme Court, etc••• about twenty to start with, who}I!met and f'ormed tile Institution. Roa and Jack promptly informed AmbassadaT Wrigllt of what had been done; and Ile in trn immediately notified tile State Dept, Durirg the next two weeks the Ambassador took sick in the gravest way, was taken to the Anglo-American hospital and there died. It was a greater blow than either Roa or lack . ' could then realize, for tile Hon. Wright Is successor· A b · . . , m assador Messersmi t11. 151 apart from notifying Roa and Jack tbrougb bis assistant tbat a favorable answer bad again been received from Wasbington, refused ever to receive tbem in personal conference to ultim.tce matters for tbe Instituto. on tbe contrary, Roa beard tbrougn bi3; frientl Cortina tbat tbe new Ambassador seemed to want to let tbe matter die a natural deatb and start fresb witb new personnel selected by bimself so tbat tbe credit in IHit\lt~guldgo to bim and not to bi.s predecessor. And tl!lis is exactly wbat bappened. There was absolutely notbi~ Roa or :~c~d do, and after a wait of several months tne newspapers publisbedAtne formation of a new Society witb a slightly cbanged name, "Institute Cultural cube.no-Americano, whose charter members were all changed wi tn one or two exceptions, representi:r:g much of tne wealth of Havana, rattier tnan its cultural elements. Tbis was disappointment number 1. At tnis time a committee was appointed b)r tne Cuban Government to attend tbe Eigntn Scientific Congress in Wasni~ton • .Enrique ~aladrigas was on tnis committee, wnicb consisted of about 10 persons in different brancnes of learni:r:g. Enrique secured permission to nave Jack attera with tne Cuban delegation as secretary an~ official translator. Ambassador Messersmi tlil was cnarg ed wi tn tne job of seB:uring a special airplane to accomodate tne delegation, to take tbem first to NY and tbenoe to Wasbi~ton. He did not provide accomodation far- either Roa or lack until forced to do so at tne last moment by Carlos ~alafigas .t' Cortina.. Finallj tbe party got off, and were guests of tbe Cuban Government at tbe Hotel Pierre in NY t,h'l!rN' and tne ~ayflower in Washington. Jack's job ~~~us,Akeepi~ bim 4 busy even in it.be ev<111ningsto die tate,~ransla tions wbicb bad been made verbally during it.be day at meetings. He only attended":tne medical and a few statistical meetings, tbe U. s. Govt providi~ ~ranslators for tbe multifarious otti,er brancbe s o:lf Science, many of it.hem;absolutely I outside of Cuba ,s cultural horizon. He learned a great deal and met some '"' master minds, b;sides attendi:r:g Q official parties wbicn be did' not enjoy, findi~ tnem very, stilted and casual in styl,e. But b~ork was . conscientiously performed and commended by tbe group wbicb be~accompanied when 'ltbey made tbeirt-1:'eport to the. Cuban Government,,,;,..u\;~ ... 1- "4:..~. Chapter 39 152 ·Social Service (continued) Durirg 1939, durirg the last year of the administration of President Laredo :Bru, Mr. William Rosen~;~ had come down to Havana from New York to arrange for someone to receive ~ German- refugees sent by his refugee division of the American Joint Distribution Committee for the purpose of solicitirg Permanent Visas for the United States. All of these people were in the Unite~~n Visitors .Visas, but accordirg to the statute could not receive permanent visas unless they appli~d from a foreign country. Mr, Rosenwald was recommended to see Mr, Albert Hartman, Mr. Gustave Jilates and Jack Brandon, The first two-mentioned gentleman told him they would be glad to serve on the Committee to receive these applicants, but were not in a position to take an active part ill securing the Visas ~iffaking care of them durirg the period of waiting, Jack was not ~een on assumirg the responsibility either, but Mr, Rosenwald seemed at a loss what to do, as the Yiddish Center would nolt be appropriate for the handling of Germa~JJ,a__. assured Jack that the work would be limited; that he could assign,_ person to receive the applicants and take them to the Consulate after placing them in some boarding-house or hotel ace or ding to their available means. So lack agreed to make a trial, telling llir. Rosenwa].d that as long as it was the comparative:J.y small matter which he said it was going to be, he would do his best to help. Within a year from that time Jack was processirg ·great numbers of t»wwmt1g refugees coming in diredt from aermany ~ the Hamburg-Ameril:a Line. During the space o~ three years he handled,with ithe help. of a special organi zation which was composed of several members of his family and members of the Temple Sisterhood; some six thousand refugees. His right-hand man was Mr, ~scar Gurfinbel, ex-superintendent of the Oen:bro Israelita, whose expe- ~ rience in social service stood Jack in good stead at this time. At first the rew York organization objected to Jack's deman~ upon them for funds to maintain and process these large numbers of refugees, many of wbom,were from other countries as well as Germany, though theJcame from German ports. ~ Jack 1s answer was that he could not l IS these people to become public charges in Cuba, as this would place the Jewish Colony in Cuba in an impossi- ble position as regards the authorities and the whole popula.:bion. That they came for the express purpose of securing visas to the United States, not to remain in Cuba, tnerefore they were the legitimate liability of the Ameril.can ' 153 refugee organizations. The amount of work and hectic excitement at the piers, at ~uarantine Station, at Jack's offioe 1wnere full data was obtained and filed on each refugee; the need for obataining livi~ accomo dations without delay; the posting of bonds, assistance at the Consulate etc e;c., not forgetting medical service and simultaneous attentions; all this caused Jack to progressively neglect his business to a dangerous point, until 1 wnen the third year was about to expire, he demanded tnat professional P':JiTl;::_m New Yark come down and take over the job. His previous efforts to/)thi.s 11had proved futile, but he now felt that he had done all he could., and remained adamant on tne subjact. Mr. Gusta~e Kates did on frequent occasions assist Jack and accompany him o~~8%~ernment matters concerning the refugees; Mr. aartman rarely had foun! time to devote himself to any I urgent part of the work. Jacks gratitude went out particularly to his sister-in-law Helen Brandon, his daughter-in-law Martha Brandon, bis cousin-in-law Mrs. Kate 1almon who were statione4..in his office, as well as to tbe ladies of" the Congregation who worked from offices at the uanzana de Gomez, particularly Mrs. 8scbecter, Miss Tama §cbechter, Mrs. ~ - Ann Kates, am others. lie and tne organization in New York also appre- ciated tae;8t~~ffliJ.~i~,: o.Jf'fun~s made each month by members of the Standard Mills, tb1\ llladuro family an~ a few others from the ~avana J.&~)!!;i ty. On frequent occa.sionstbe JIX:: endeavored to obligate the local,,.Jetish popolation to at least assume the financial cnarge of11those wno could not secure visas for the States, but these efforts did not meet witb any success until yea.rs after when the professional committee was tiliitto close tne offio.e wnicn had been maintained at nigh cost b:, the parent committee>*t ~ In february of 1940 Jack was notified officially by Miguel Angel ~ " Campa, Chancellor of the National Order of Merit, Carlos Manuel de Cespedes~ that President Federico Laredo Bru bad decided to confer upon him this award in tbe degree of "Caballero" (Knignt of the Order), and that ne should, present himself on February 24th at the Cuban Embassy in Washington where the Ambassador would do the honors on a s,elected group of 11'ore1gn and Cuban designates. Jack was nappy at this news, especially so when be learned that Enrique Saladrigas and Jorge Roa were also on the list. Jack took Estner witb him to witness tbe ceremoey, pickiig up Jl'lo Salmon in New York) as she had expressed the desire to be with them. Dt-. El'lgar I.fayer also was present at the ceremony in honor of bis friell'ds Roa & Saladrigas, and 154" ~ after the Scroll was presented, the Ambassador requested Esther to oin the beautiful Medal on her husband. Esther tried to do so, but her hand trembled so with excitement that Dr. Mayer did the job for her. W:~L When they returned to Havana., Jack heard confidentially that there mm a question as to whether he or another American residir:g in Havana should 1'.o...c. PoR receive the award. The President decided upon Jack ~~~yg~-aag4~0-...;.=11u~_r_t-,F:oreasons: t:... ,,___,J,,,..j1 . First, that he made no money either in servir:g the Governmen) or Humanity (in the case of the Bewish Refugees,)whereas the other party ( very well known to Jack and his family) while servir:g the industry to which he was dedicated, had made a fortune, and therefore was deemed to be amply compen sated for his intelligent efforts. Fulgencio Batista succeed.ad Laredo Bru to the presidency of Cuba on May 20th 1940. Early in July, followir:g negotiations between Dr. Edgar Mayer and Sol moom, Chairman of the committee on Foreign Affairs of the House of ~epiresentatives in Washington, Dr. Enrique Saladrigas received an invitation from Congressman moom to come with his Finlay committee at the expense of the Uni'IB,d States Government. On the 28th July, the Washington newspapers carried this notice: ~&,·l!f'ivT "Chairman Bloom ( :Democrat-New York) /\of the House Foreign Affairs committee, told the Cuban American commission for tthe establishment of the Finlay Institute of the Americas today, "W• must co-operate to relieve the suffering of our peoples". The Finlay Ins ti tut,e of the Americas, to be located at New York, would be a co-operat4Vif' Center in medecine, medical research and health· services for all the American republics. Tonight moom and Vice Presitlent Wallace will entertain the commission at dinner. The following were invited to the Wallace-moom dinner at the Hotel Mayflower: Dr. Rodolfo Mendez Penate, president, Uniiversity of Havana; Dr. Guillermo Lage, director of the S.chool of Public Health and ~ropical ~1edecine, Finlay Institute, Havana; Dr. Jorge Roa, professor of Social Biology and Vital Statistics, University of Havana; .ur. Mario Fenocal (personal representative of Colonel Fulgencio Batista, "and son of' former president Menocal otr Cuba). Jacob Brandon, secretary and interpreter for the Commission; Dr. Edgar lliayer, Dr. ~enjamin Salzer, Dr. Morton Kahn, all of Cornell University, Arde Bulova, Milton Biow, Henry A. Wallace, Vicbe-president of the u. ,,s., Dr. Aureliovconcheso, the Cuban Am assador, Dr. Jose Baron, Dr. Vicente .,,aldes RCliriguez, Dr. E. R. Coffee, Asst Surgeo~ General of the U. S~, Laurence Dlggan, political adviser to the Secretary of State, Philip Bonsal, acgir:g chief, Division of American Republics; Donald Nelson, director of Division of Purchases; Lt. commanddr Spitael; Dr. Edward c. ErN!st, assistant director Pan-American Sanit~ ..ry Bureau; E, Gl Trueblood, acting chief Division of Cultural elations, aept. of State; (and many others.) 155 The afternoon before a special P.lane of the American Lines had t.ir~ flown the Havana group from New Yorkninasmuch as they had made a direct light from Havana-Miami-New York. Upon arrival at the Washirgton Airport they were met by Vice-president Wallace, Congressman Bloo~J.!'nd Philip Bonsal ~.~ representing the State Dept. A ftll escort of bi:; a:ts ca:.tUii p~ ~~ conducted them to their hotel, and accompanied them to each appointment, " II,,._,,,,iJJM,-u'-,, the first beirg the Office of Sol Bloom at the Capitol where they ... lunctJeA.,.._ with a large group before visiting the Senate Chamber and House. At the Offioe of Bloom they were seated in the Fore:l,gn Affairs Committee ~ .&Ml~ Room,,,photos taken with Mr. Bloom makillg his first address..._answered in kind by Dr. Saladrigas. The committee was informed ef the programme which had been arranged, includi?W, the visit, to the l3ethseda Hospital. There were two dinners, one given by Mr. ~allace and Mr. Bloom jointly at the Hotel Mayflower, SSl where the decorations were beautiful; the other by the State Dept. at whb.:h Mr. Sumner Welles presided. On the last day, the Committee attended an informal luncheon at the lovely home of Mr. Bloom. Business was conducted in between at Mr. Bloom•s office, and all prEiliml:naries for the Finlay Institute of the Americas gone over. It was approved that the ,merican group,which was to include several officers of the American Medical Association, would be invited by the Cuban Government to Havana to conclUl e all arra11gements there and fix a day for the formal opening of the Institute in ~ew York City. At one o'clock A. M. the Havana group left again for New York, and after spending a few·days there, returned to Havana. Jack immediately prepared and presented his report to the committee of the Insti tuto Finlay de la Habana ooverirg tne entire proceedings up to tthat point, which report was dul) read and entered into. tthe Institute' s Minute Book after unanimous approval~ As had been agreElif!# upon,the entire Committee then presentad its resignation, so that the governing body of tne Institute should appoint the permanent committee wh:ia,;hwas to work with the American contin gent to be invited down to Cuba ~y the Cuban Government. It was tacitly . # unterstood that most of the original committee would be eleotedX for con-- tinuanoe in the work they had originated •. But things do not always work out . i in Cuban politics - or perhaps Boliticxs anywn~re, - as normally they woulfl ..,e ,expected to work out. We iQitt• 't'eturn to this latar. Durillll; ~cembar Jack was notified once more by Miguel Angel Campa ~ . who was also Chancellor of ~he Urder of 'erit Carlos J. J'inlay, that be would be decorated by President l3a.tista together with the others of the Finlay group i1·;,t;iicobBra~ct<;IR•• ;'.\\ ,G'y . FihlajQrq~r:;/r • ·B( resiclentBati~ta\. .. i)t . . .-41i-?. :·:·.,'" _,,,:;_:_,.".<''•.:-:---:: ,,•";,': :·,~}, , Mr, Jacob Brandon, member <> tho Amerlcan:Colony iii l!avani,',. · Was decorate<\by President Batis; la Jast·evening at the Aeaclen1yof · . Scienc&"wi!li the Order. of: Care los J, Fnilay, This_award.wa:S~)l/1~ !erred simullat\eously ·. upotitflve · other members of a group w~l~' /has. labored for•· soine :um~•\to bt,lng about .hemispheric· eollllbo• ,i'.ratlon In molters o.fPublic'Healtll; t,:'.froplcal Medicine . and:·.~clentiflc ':,,'{t~e~arch_.:··":.~_.._·_. c::,"\{t/:i:·)/'.:-\'.,."-:f;':-~'.;< i•.:hiti1s..group ot 1"•n unde.r..:lh• ~4~d~rohip of Dr, !,nrlq~(l!aladr!· ..· Ila•director .of the FirilayJnstltu!e .. )n Havana and'pr. Edgar 11fayer; ·'JJl'omlnenl. •.New Jorlt' .physiclalt . iand Protes,or of MedlcittJl·at C • 156 at the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Science of Havana on the 108th anniversary of the b:IJ:rttl olf Ca.rlos J. Finlay, in "solemn session". The Havana Post reported as follows: " Presi~ent Fulgencio Batista, Vice-president Cuervo Rubio, the entire cabinet of ministers and other 3igh governmertt officials, representativ91 of cuba 1s medical and scientific organiz·ations, and prominent figures of' the medical, scientific ano social circles olf Cuba, attended the ceremonies. Dr. Rildolph Matas of ~ew ~rleans, one of America 1 s foremost surgeons, and close friend and collaborator of Dr. Finlay in the latter§S • research and eventual discovery of the transmission agent of yellow fever, was guest of honor at the solemn session~.: Dr, dda.tas was decorated witl:I the highest rank of the Yrder of Merit Carlos J, Finlay by President ~ati~ta; also witb a diploma and medal as member olf the Academy of Sciences by llr. Jce;e A. Presno, president of the Academy. (Speeches by Presno & ~tas are reported). "Several other doctors, scientists and men of' letters also received decorations of the Finlay Order. Amol\g those honored was Jacob Brandon, well known member olf the American Colony here, who has been closely associated with efforts to establish the Finlay Institute of the Amencas, of New York.". Jack was happy to see amorg the audience several members of his own family, for the reason that he was profoun-fil.y hopeful of the success of this :uli:wrrprtw enterprise to which he had given much thought an~ self-dedication together with Roa and @aladrigas. As a matter d:Y fact he had reported~ invitation to identify himself with this project to the American Embassy prior to amxlQ!ii: accepting the assignment, and was much applauded for his purpose, being told at the same time to keep them posted with the progress being made. Thus f'ar he had only the best olf news to report. Now.,among the others of the original committee, he waited for new instructions and the auspicious moment when the promised return invitttation was to be sent by the Cuban Government for ahe American Committee to come to Havana. After several months had elapsed the Cuban Government did send the invitation through, but the funds remaining in the Institute, were {nsufficient at all times to defray the costs. The fun~s disappeared as soon as they were deposited, charged off to other matterso Saladrigas complaim,d bitterly To President iilatista through his brother, the ~remier, that t~whole plan was. beitllt sabotaged by antagonistic interests at the Finlay: 1 1; had been ..S.il«-~~ .. J • I I! in the preliminary proceedings. This was the fact of· the case. So ,a~sident Patista sent a roun?r sum of $2~QOO of his own money to the Institute ear~marked for the purpose ~rrie~f1tJrfd£to the Americans, 157 Within twenty-four hours this sum also ~isappeared from the account. The temerity of the act an~ its implications were such as to shock the ntire Finlay outfit. Why Presi~ent Batista did not investigat~ ~ _. punish those who committed the depritdation, no one seems to have knowj, except that there were some implicated who were close to him and whose reputation he wished to protect. Now advice was coming from :ni-• .Etlgar ~ayer that the American group was ready to leave, and w~~--'awaiting the necessary funds,as promised. Practically none of the~ group which went to Washirg;ton had been retain~d on the "Permanent New Committee". Saladrigas on account o.r h:ls/~;·;f,r ~ with the Pranier simply could not be side-tracked. He was recommended to aska Dr. ~yer to advance the money to the American... committee and it would be returned to him upon arrival in Havana. Di-, ijayer borrowed the money '" from Arde Buloya, the great ~atch ~anufacturer, who had becom a patron of the proposed Finlay Institute of the Americas. These funds were never paid back by the Cuban Government, and Bulova took tne loss. The meetings with the Americans were highly unsa·tisfactory. Saladrigas was the only one who knew the whole story and had been identified with the matter. All the others were simply politicians, and doctors were who trying to horn in under the new aegis. Saladrigas was not slow in expressing his dissatisfaction; Dr. Mayer ditto. _;mt .11.spleasure and dis:aappointment covered all the proceedings with a pall. The ffavana meetii.s; was a "dud". The Amer1.can contingent returned to Washington and New York tnoroughly disgusted witb Cuba~ inanities, and Dr. 1ayer refused to go on witb his part. Sol m.oom also retired at ,ayer 1 s suggestion. The "Finlay Institute of tne Americas" was a still-born child. And there hallSbeen no attempt to help it to be re-born from that time to tt..ni,s. ~uite justly, the American Medical Fraternity have barred it. Sad as was the endirtt, Roa and Jack and ~aladrigas were glad that the "malhechores" wno tried to rob the glory and the honor from those to whom they belonged, did not prevail. From Jack 1s personal .standpoint, however, this was his Jecond great disappointment in Cuba with Social Work. When he gave a verbal report to one of the Embassy people over the lunch table a short while after, the answer came· "this was what we were afraid bf in the beginnig;; nevertheless ' ~ you made a grand try"; and it was worth the try, anyway1 .n-,.,,ii~,-/,- ~ l.l. w,n,eJ?-~ -.J°4""~- Chapter 40 158 Social Service ( contim.a d) ~ Among the first refug~s!, woo~in Havana from Germany there were Jome men and women of superior culture and refinement, people who had bene . fitted from that systematic type of mental schooling which Germans were noted for prior to the fall of the Empire, a schooling which caused the German Jews to deem themselves the best of Germans, and superior in status to their co-religionists in the Near anti Far East. Many of these had been active member.i o:if'B'nai B1rith Lodges in their home towns, anti perhaps owed their escape from Hitler's Germny in great part to the efforts of the local agencies of the American Joint Distribution Committe coupled with the active suppart of B1 nai B1 rith in Washi~gton. These people were genuinely surprised to fin-cl upon their arrival in Cuba that B1 nai B1 rith was not represented there. They missed the opportunity for peaceful, social gathering anti self-expression. One or two of these groups wrote to the Head Office of B'nai B'rith in Washington asking them to send somepne down to Havana to study the possi- bilities of establishiig; a Lodge there. The answer came without delay, that it was sufficient if a resident group of ten or more Jews would present a petition to th:13s eff.ect; that the dispensation would be granted without :iBbQa further ado. Jack was completely surprised to receive at his office a delregation composed of a few refugees, a few Ji.astern European Jews and om or two English-speaking Jews who askdd hi~ to ~iiih,1he list of applicants for a Chapter o:ff B1 nai B'rith in Havana. Remembering h:ls, disilllusions in other Jewish activities, he was exceedingly loath to d_o so and was frank in stating his point of view to his visitors. They listened carefully and then brought out, i:Lhat B1 na.i B'rith was no local activity "per se", but an international link for American Jewry with the rest of the civilized world whereby stret\gth would be found in unity to protect themselves against the inroads of z progressive anti-semitism, already flariQ?; in Germany and Eastern »iropeR. That B1 nai B1 rith meant affilia1t.ion with the Anti-Defamation League whose fight against racial injustice was powerfully backed in Washington. Jack could not be otherwise than impressed. He wrote his name, as bad been requested, at the bead o:if'the list. Preliminary literature arrived Post ~aste fro.:,mWashington after the list of some twenty charter members was forwarded, and soon after the Charter followed. 159 Jack was immediately requested to accept the Chair pro-tem at the first meetirg of the charter members. This was followed by an election ,f officers, and Jack was honored by a unanimous vote in his favor foir president. By-laws foll~wirg; closely those recommended by the Waahii:gton Grand Lodge were adopbed without delay, includii::g the monthly,>fee of $1.oo per member. In view of the comparatively small area from which to draw members in Cuba Jack would have preferred a higher fee, but the opinion was expressed that B'nai B1rith woul~ draw many hundreds of members in Cuba, and that the income would be sufficient to undertake any and all activities, precisely because of the nominal amount of the fee. It was not lotig before Maimoni~es Lodge, as it was called at the suggestion of Mr. Isidore Abravanel, had 50 members. Duri:Q"Ethe period of one year the roll of membership approximated 100 members. At one point it react:led about 125 members, but a good numb:lr were Refugees who obtaira d ttler Permanent Visas for the United ~tates, so tnat the mean average remaim d about 100. Alttlougtl several of tne most active member.; of the United Hebrew co:r:igregation were on the list of Charter Members, only three or f'our ever took any genuine inteEest in the Lodge, namely: Mr. Schecter, Mr. Steinberg, Mr. Gurfinkli~;Mr. Stetner; all of whom were unfailirg stand-bys for Jack at ALL times and in the many emergencies that were to follow. When Jack tried to elicit a more generous and active support from the Temple members, he was told that B1 nai B'rith in Cuba was an untried organ:lz..ation without suitable economic status, and tnat• it was meant more for. these w110needed it than for those who did not need it. " Real.izirg; that the best ~ewish. brains and economic potency was benin~ B1 nai B1Rith in the United States, this point of view galled Jack, :Bl!nai B1ritll beir.g nearly a hundred years old at the time, with an enviable r6ccord of international social service. There was considerable support foxjthe Lodge from tne Sephardic element in Cuba, but most of it came from tiiliJe Eastern Europeans at that junoture. t But world con~itions were to bring a~out a sudnen and painful chai::g~ in this situation. The situation in Palestine began to worsen when the' t;la.ndate started to put ,bstaoles in the· way of Jewish immigration into Eretz Israel. The demands upon the Jewish Colony in Cuba were double,d and ~rebled. In fact, :tlllll: interest in all comruunity activities were discouraged by the Zionist groups lest such should curtail the possibilities of extraotirg 160 the maximum of contributions for Palestine. In addition, the Centro Israelita had experienced chnsiderable deflation in its activities due to B1 nai B1 rith; and its powerful membership was beginning to fear a great loss of prestige on this account, and star'lied openly to discount the usefulness of Maimonides Lodge. A few prominent leaders in the Centro lsraelita repeated the inane claims of those members of the United Hebrew Congregation who sought to evade their duty as charter members by stating that B1'nai B1rith was new and untried in Cuba, whereas their organizations were old and proved. Be this as it may Jack found that despite many cultural and often quite expensive entertainments he offered, the Lodge was losing rather than gaining headway, due in most part, of course,to the influence of the Zionist committee, causing alone the Jqss a:r about JO active members and contributors to the cultural affair_s. Jack had by now realized his inadequacy to overcome the combined inertia and antagonisms of certain groups. It occurred to him that his only chance to save B'nai B1rith in Cuba was to introduce the younger element into its activities. He had been reading of the magnificent results of the Hillel 1oundation at American Universities and wondered whether something resembling these Founixations could not be made applicable in Cuba to the anomalous situation 4 It seemed to him that an appeal to parental pride and affection could not fail to revive interest where even the benefits of Anti-~efamation influences had failed to arouse the community from a lethargy wh:lch was literally appalling. He touched upon the matter at one meetirm and requestd those present to question their absent friends and report their fintlings. The response seemed favcrrable and sincere, He was recommended to sound out the Authoritties in the Unit! d ~tates as to what could be ac~omplished. Early in the year 1946 Jack had oc First of all it became knowA/that he was an anti-Zionist, a conscientious nan-believer in Jewish-,autonomy in Palestine. When these sentiments became known at the Hillel Foundation, his popularity was completely destroyed. He showed his dislike as time went on for the g:rowing enthu siasm in Cuba for the Zionist Cause, ana resented the effort of the Zionists to side-track all local sociaJL service in order to corral all the fun~s available far- their own purposes. Jack saw that the Rabbi had lost his grip on things, and was glad when be was recalled. The Rabbi~ had no sooner gone when the Hillel Board of Directors composed OJf' the:irr own elected members am two members of B1 nai B'rith, were on a rampage. In order to have m:i dances and entertainments they insisted upon taking on wembers of 12 14 years in consif!erable numbers. At one time they probably had 400 to 500 members. When the new Director, Rabbi Weissberg came he faun!' a Dedlam. Cultural stu,ay was completely abandoned. All -they wanted was a good time. Jack spoke to the members on many occasions at open meetings. Ile remini'!ed them that Hillel was not a Social Club, but a cultural institu tion at which dances were permitted fJCnmtime to time. Uroups were formed for the express purpo,se o.tf' making a racket ani'! not permitting any but their own speakers to be heard. Elections were fraudulent for them- new Board, the 11poli tic as" seei~ to it that the organjz at ion woul'i'! be directed by the group which controlled the entertaining. The Rabbi was completely non plussed. The Zionist Organization refused justly to renew the rental of their premises and the youlls people met at the Templ~ premises. Jack tried to obtain the co-operation of tbe Templa Board to oust Hillel because of disrespectful behavior at meetings, un1!.J.l such time as tile Rabbi and himself could secure control again, ani'! ~amp the organization forcing out all tbe extremely young and troublesome groups that never belonged in Hillel. Mr. l?rice, then President, agreed to co-operate, but the Board of Directors of the Congregation refused to contrirm the arrangement. 1 Attbis point Jack s third year of service at B1 nai B'rit~ expired, and be refused to run again for office. Mr.Pi tchon was elected presinent and bas been re-elected continuously since that time, making a fire personal contribution to the community bys a doing. Now that Palestine bas setlled down to a superficial peace, and Israel is an accomplished fact, the Havana Jews are giving some attention to B'nai B1ritb under its able pres:ld ent, to wl)om Jack sends bis sincere felicitations. After Jack retired from the Chair, Ile saw to it that the charter of the Hillel F6undation Of 164 Havana was rJJscinl ed. '.le did" so with the prior knowledge and approval of Rabbi Weissberg, who had found it quite impossible to control the boisterous anl disrespedtful group of youngsters who actually controlled the votirg ann the policy of the association, sneering openly at ,ta ineffectual efforts to have thelll abide by the articles o:ff their Charter. There were several concomitant cauoes for th:ls, break-down of Hillel, 1st, The loss o:ff control by the first Director, 2nd. The eru.argin:g of tt:le group by means o:tr membe11., d too yourg to appreciate the purpose dI the Foumtion, 3rd, The political control obtained tnrough the votes of this irresponsible youthful group, lf«.J>f~ 4th, The failure of tile United Hebrew Congregatio~to back up the assurance of co-operation given to . ~ - Jacjt to prohibit further meetings of the Foun'tation J, ,(/1__#.-(""'·,M_. _j_'.,.... "'"',__ - ,t,U.-'--. at t he T em.p· l e un t il Jack could g-__.. control again, and ...... witb the Rabbi 1s help re-vamp the institution with older members only. Witt:I this situation in view, and the fa::t that Rabbi feissberg was ut•JltxJx evioent].y beirg much criticized by the members of the Boar!" of the UnitJJd Hebrew congr~ation,in such a way indeed as to make itt clear that his contract would not. be remrwed at expiration, •• ·all these facts caused Jack to decide not to allow the Jewish Youth of Cuba to crucify him or qnyone else any longer. _When the Hillel Foundation in the Uni~ d States was fully inf Note, Jack wishes to put on recard that the attitude of the United ~ebrew Congregation was highly considerate at all times toward the adult group of B'nai B1rith 1 Wh.en the income of the Lodge became reduced prior to qack 1s refll:!;ali. to run again for President, the rental was redticed to $50,oo per month, We heard that later no reni!;al whatsoever was paid, butt we are not sur.e of this, 164-A Jack Shares Platform at Miami Beach at the Invitation of Mayor Harolti Turk November 8, 1949 • • • • • • Durirg October of 1949 Jack received a message from Mayor Harolti Turk of the City of Miami Beach, Fla., r'lelivereti to him by Mr. Balkin, Miami representative of the Anti-Defamation League of New Yo~k. The message was an invitation to be the pr:ilncipal speaker at a meeting to be held at the Dillano Hotel at Miami Beach on November 8th under the auspices of Miami Beach Lotige of B' nai B' ri th. The object of the meetirg was to promote interest in Inter-american Untierstanr!irg., To this enn the platform woul/1 be shared by Dr. Manuel Velasquez, Consli.1--General of the Republic of Cuba at Miami. The Mayor, himselLf a member of Miami Beach Lodge, was eager to have the City of Miami Beach among the foremost of Florida cities to further this laudable aim of the U. s. Government. As Presiflent of Maillimides Lodge of Havana Jack was glad of the oppor tuni ty to represertt his organization at so excellent a function. He there fore accepter1 the\invi tat ion, which RB -.. incluilei'his wife. When they arriveti at the Hotel D~lano, they were conductad to :tJa one of its choicest suites and informeti thaL they were the guests of • lliayor Harold Turk for all their requirements for as long as they carer" to extend their trip. Beaniful flowers awaited them in their rooms, anti that evening they were guests at a splendid banquet given in their honor and that of 11'!F~A¥e!~squezo There were about 25 couples at the banquet. After the banquet they proceeded to the Hall in l'.Jbich the meetirg; was to be helcl anti foun'l'l a wai tirg audience of about 400 people. The place was full and alreany many people were seeking standing room. The Mayor opened the proceedings by offering all Latin-American countries im. the facilities of his Government to enhance social an!'! business relationships, even to tne extent of maintaining a p.ermanent tiisplay of native pronucts anti manufactories. When he had concluilen he introduced Jack as an American resiflent in Cuba and Presi~ent qf a sister B•nai B1 rith Longe in Havana. In some way he had got holr1 of a volume of Jack's Miscellaneous Writirgs, and read-several extracts from his essays. Jack then aelivered his anaress, which the Header will ~ind verbatim on the attached pages from La Voz de B1 nai B'rith, a periotiical editea by Jack and Mr, Marcu~in in Havana. The aaaress was enthusiastically received, ana later,.__commenteil upon by the Miami ana Miami B,each Press, .-, thereafter :or. Velasquez delivered his ad~ress. Dr. Velasquez was " ; ~,;·i\ v,. /,, J'/2'..:,);'Yf"'7, ,/ ,..,: it-j I!,,,.,..,...,~ /,_,,-;~/ ;i-.1'/ d../!,/JVJ"'F----~ .... ;-', ,,'1t) ,-.::,L {!,~/ },· ;,·<'1#' ' tt!,.61.,.J,,f~ 164-AA ..., followed by r•,;r, :Ji)avid R, Isen, Presict'ent of Miami Beam:ll Longe, a fine, cultured gentleman, who /Iii! full justice to ithe occasion, Mayor Harolr'l Turk then presented Ilr, Velasquez and Jack with the "Freedom of the City", symbolize ii by the tradi ti onaJL Key which was presenten to both of taem, Esther ana Jack only rema:inen two days at lvliami leleach, but enj ojr,e/J themselves immensely, After a few weeks Jack receiw.d a vis:li. t in Havana from Dr. Velasquez who informed him that the manuscript of his adnress which Jack haa left with Mr. Isen vltlen saying good-by, had been aelivered to him at his request an/! that he ha/! 1 ongei! it with the Iviinisteri o /I e Estado in Havana with a report on the Meeting helfl in J,;iami Beach, lfo rei terater' I , his appreciation of the a/J~ress, ann place/I his Consula/Jo kw Miami at the "~isposicion i!al amigo /le Cuba", ...... We take this opportunity of also attaching a Treatise by_ Jack whicn was publisher! in the Voz ~e B' nai B'rith concerning the l3earing of Einstein 1s ;ieory of rielativity upon Social anr Beligious Philosophy, wnic h may be of ' Lnteres~ to reaners of these Memoirs. ll'l''fER..J.\i'I\ERICJ.\l'I Adress of Jacob Brandon at Miami Beach Lodge, Nov. 8, 1949 <1HE gracious welcome I have receivi;i:i · collection of overdue debts. Cleveland's ve• exchanges often arranged .for in ~peratioi: / from yol.lr esteemed president, and the hemence in his historic message reverberated with universities and · oiher institutio~s o: great honor conferred upon me by round the world. Still later, President Mc learning. All these add up to the develop · Mayor Harold Turk in handing me the Key Kinley did not vacillate in rendering as ment of mutual goodwill, mutuality of seivice, lo your beautiful and thriving city, leave me sistance to hard-pressed Cuba in her strug• better undestanding of respective virtues and somewhat breathless. It is difficult to find gle for deliverance from Spanb=h. misrule; failings, and a prcigressive approach to ideolo words with which to adequately express the and the Spanish-American War, precipitated· gical solidarity. depth of my appreciation, I can but say that by contingent events, cost Spain all her You will be interested to know .~hat there this occas:on will abide in my memory al• colonies in the Western theater, and the are 29 Cultural Institutes in Latin America, ways: ii shall remain as one of my most Phillipines in the East. The Cubans, aided by established since 1943 under the auspic"es of cherished recolleclions. U. S, forces on land and s8o, finally attained local citizens jointly . with resident North WhEln my good friend Gilbert Balkin !heir indep~ndence in 1902. Americans. In eaclt "'\nstance, apart from mentioned in his letter that I would be asked With regard to Europe; we have beeri mercl)erships dues, the·s~. institule,s receive to speak en the subject of Inter-American forced to abandon the policy of isolation r.:ctive educational_ · , suP~oii and economic Unden,:andh1g, I was much gratified. ln which many of our ...early presidents had subsidiE!s from. the )peal departments of ,State 1:mes like curs, so important an iSs'u8, must ,.;dvocaled, Vast progress since those times together with our own State Dept. in Wash• neve: be allowed to become trite nor can in tlie opeetl of 16comotion, and !he morti in9ton. ·rn·cuba !he institute is called, "Ins we afford to relegata ii lo a secondary plac'd h=ii-ous effects of modern weapons of war tituto Cultural Cubano Norteamericono'.'. It in our thinking. We must face the fact th al have required that we rectify our concepts is located on the Prado and has an excellent an improvement in lnler-Ainerican relations ::ii our st~ategic frcntiers, which our military library at the disposal of Cuban citiz_e~s and is an imperative political ·necessity, and that r.ow deems to be overseas. We· are obliged foreign residents. From time to time .lecturers this nE:cessity is comrr.on Iv all American in self-defense to give of our brawn and of of note address the stU As indicaterl in a previous chapter, though llatista was noit electer" to the presi~ency until uct, 10th 1940, he had been in control of the political situaition from tne time Machado fler" the country in 1933, Duri~ this exten,cted perior'I of about elevent. years there occurreil no serious breaches of the public order, However, after the rleci'.'e" boom that prevailerl from 1929 until about 1934, there came a slump which grew in intensity until war broke out in Europe in 1919, Cuba immediately experienced a complete transformation, Real estate, building, all the profesaions anrl every branch of business recovered with amazi!'lg speed from the recession, Before the United States was able to establish a workable quota system for export, tremendous importations were made by Cuban firms, and all were absorbed imri:e,'liatel:w upon arrival. Wages in all inrlustries were on the rise with improver! buying potential throughout the country, Finally, the quota system was establisher!, with Washington issuirg licenses as rec ommenrled by co-rela- tive authorities set up in Cuba under the name of the ORPA. However, in the case of American manufacturers who set up their own branches in Cuba, these ,uotas did not apply. They~ were permitted to ship to these outlets any portion of the 7%of their American production which they were obliged by law to provide for sale tn foreign markets. This obeyerl the fact that diviaa was almost impossible to obtain~ certain South American countries, whereas others, such as Cuba, offered immediate exchange facilities at all times, Owing to this good fortune, Cuba never lacked throug8Llthe war the comu.oiUties which were lacking in other lands, including those in short supply in the Uniter States itself, Naturally these operation~ were inflationary in the extreme, and harvests of incredible richness were reaperl by those who were in a posiltion to command the merchandise, In 1942 Jack 1 s eldest son, ~vid Philip Brandon, resigned from Standard Mills and joined his father in busiress, bringing with him some t very profitable connections. In arl"'ition, Jack succeeded in inducing Burlington Mills Corporation to start two new corporations in Cuba to hani'le their exports, he and his son, iavid,,, to handle the mark.eting under their counsel and ultimate control, Although the net earnings of these cI>rpora- tions reached the collosal sum of nearly one million dollars during the year they were managed in this manner. the promises of Burlirg~ton 1 s top officials ~ to pay Jack and ~vid 5% of these earnings aver and above the minimum establisher at the outset of their negotiations, were never fulfillerl, 167 yourgest are married and Stanley and his wife Viva are already grandparents. Isaac (Mike) has bee® established in thE,kxport business in New York 1nder his; own name fOJ[' many years. He too prospered well during the war period, but has since met with some obstacles, which, h11rever, seem to be on the way to beiJ:€ fully overcome. His taree girls all have cnarmiQs families, and one of his sorui--in-Iaw, Herman Meltzer, a fine fellow, is his partre.r in business. Some yearo: back Jack and his sons were invited by one of their suppliers in Charlotte, North 0arolina, to v. isi t him there to fliscuss the possibility o:lf establishiaj a tricot operation in Cuba, ther., being none there at that time. 1"arl was still in the army, so Jack ancl David took the trlilp together. Discussions with ~ir. Willli:am H. Ilarnhardt brought the project to a head on tne basis oif an equal partnership. A small nolf'ing company was esta blishe a in Cuba on Jack and .:J:)9.vir1s1 return, in order to cover tne preliminary i!isbursements tnatr. 1,oulr be entailer'!. It was soon ascertainer'! by all tne partliles tnat tne amount oir capital which they coulr1 avail of was wnolly inadequate for a tricot operation. Under the circum stances, Mr. ;.;arnhardt invited liir•. Rush Dickson, a man of wealth connected ittl an investment brokerage business, president olf the American ;tarn and .l:'rocesail'€ Company of North 8arolina and a recent heavy investor in the tricot business there, to join him in the Cuban enterprise. Mr. Dickson agreed to do so, anr'l Jack and David were again inviter1 to· Charlotte for a final conference. An equitable basis for all concerned was arrived at in these discussions. As Jack I s business was in process o:tf expansion anr1 he could not r1o justice to both it and the tricat business, he suggested that fkvid be made presiflent, especially as his experience with Standard Mills had given him some.., understandirg; o:tf the unr1erwear and outerwear manufacturizig business. Thus ~vid would receiv£ a substantial salary. Jack and §arl together with David,(but without salarjies,)would form a inner consultative and directive group which woulfl enjoy as compensation the first ten percent ~ of the company's net ea:a:-nings before dividends on any common stock would be declared. By thi,s means, although the Branf!on group would be minorxi ty stockhold·ers in tae company, its total earnings might well equalize the di ff ere nee between the maj OlI'ity and tne minority. A votizig trust gave all iasonable protection possible to the minority. In due course the Agreementt ~nd EmplQYment Contract was prepared by Cuban attorneys, and lmr. Dickson and li1r. ;:arnhardt came to Cuba to sign it. Earl had also returned home 168 and was a co-signor of tne Agreement. All seemed set fOT' a nappy and ·1ccessful association, it being understood tnat Mr. Dickson would be ~ven tne privilege of selectiXls tne equipment for knittix:g and finisni~, with wnicn operations ne was fully conversant, whereas tne sewix:g equipment would be pUl"cnased in Havana by David. Approval was given for tne pu::rcnase of tne site and buildings wnicn would nouse tne Cuba International Textile l corporation at "Rancho Boyeros. Mr. Dickson would also appoint tbe tecnni cal factory director wno would be instructed to co-operate strictly with ±bvid., Mr. Dickson made two fateful errors. The one wnich became first apparent was tne selection of tne manufacturers of tne Finisnix:g ~quipment. Tne firm in ques~ion was reported in financial difficulties by tne time tne date of delivery for tne machim-y arrived. Everytning else at tne factory was ready to start operations. Month after montn elapsed and Dickson was unable to report tnat tne equipment woulrt imr:,eriately come tnrougn. He was implored to secure used macninery, as nad already been brought down to Cuba by anotner tricot plant, but Dickson reported none was available in tne market. Efforts 1vere made in Havana to adjust woven piece goods equipment to tne tricot-knit, ,ut tne loss was impossibly nign in tne :finisnet! product. In tne meantime - ;;ne entire plant fully manned awaited tne arrival of tile final snipment. Jack objected strenuously to tne establisnment at this juncture o~ expensive x«xxt~g sales-tooms in Havana. In fact he was never in narmony with tne extravagance of tne set-up, His whole experience cried out against anytning wnicn anticipated to!~» great an extent tne expansion wnich snoul~ be tne fruit of profits accumulated rather tnan a gamble on pro~its hoped for. His objections were over-rulea, but 1vere written into tot/minutes of tne mmetings. He did not object to publicity an~ fine sales-rooms in principle; but felt that many of tne disbursements made were premature, as tney proved to be, AFter abou~ a year-and-a-nalf of waiti:rg tne equipmentt was snipped. In tne interim tnere were calls for mncreased capitalization. iack and iar1 could not produce tneir proportions. Tt:lus tney lost tneir O # positions 'in tne original set-up as to snares of' stock. It was evident tnat their status would worsen furtner, for addi~ional new capital was sure to be required, making tne total invested in tne Company close to one million dollars before any fir~t-quality mdr~handise was pro~uced. It was evident also at tnis time that Mr. Dickson's selection of tne factory director was an unfortunate one. This man was a good mecnanic on tricot machines, and had good judgment as regards tne factory lay-out. But ne was quite ignorant as regar~s sewing and cutting as well as stylix:g, Morro.,ver the 169 factory help did not understand him nor he them. The situation within the ~tll was becoming chaotic. It soon became evident to David and Jack and • ·l that this man was forwarding erroneous information to Dickson, placing ~ne blame upon :tlavid for his own frustrations. His calculations of costs and overhead expense were also fount! by the auditors to be untenable, and they refused at last to clear the audit, resigning the job. But the people in Charlotte stood by their man, ant! blame was placed upon Davi~ Which was;{/ ,,;.14,;r~- .... , •• ,,, - utterly unfount!ed, except that he had co-operated with themAfar too Elii'illl!El!Ei!';il to please Jack and ~arl. Ds.viaks' duties~ ~ more and moee limited by order n . of the majority stockholt!ers, the factory director now being fully in the sad-'le, which haa been his purpose for a long time. continuced losses made i t apparent that the investments of the Bran'r'ons would soon be swallowed up entirely, and the prospects seemed nil of getting any of the money out. But f>rovidence works in strange ways. '.Da.v:ld'was able to put hi .. han'l' upon ~ written proof of collusion between certain persons in the Charlotte office and the company's Cuban attorney to oust the Brandons after their shares or stock became useless as collateral. (ack lost .no time at a local meetirg ·i th the said lawyer to let him know that the evid'ence in question was in eir possession and that iack intended to accuse him in the Cuban courts of this collusion against the minority stockholt!ers who it was his auty as I Company;s attorney to proti,ct as well as the majority. This man was spell- bound wi tlili surprise arw fear. He immediately offered to a·o what he could to secure the best deal possible for the Bl"andons.s. J'ack told him they would accept notning less than par value for all their holt!ings. Within a few ,jj days the deal was so olosed, and the Brana.on investment was saved. ,,. aviti! had fortunately earned his salary for two years, while still being permitted to carry on two other businesses in which he was interested. Jack and ~rl never received a single penny Lrom the Cuba Intermtional textile Corp•n. On the contrary, repercussions from the same have pursued them even to the present day, but that is another storyo 1 In a letter wh:ic h Jack received from !fir. Rush Dickson about a year later when Cuba InternationaJ. was in proce.ss of liqllJlidation, he :sated that his:s: group had now learned all the facts of the matter; that they realized that ·1ar'! they he@r'!er'!Jack's counsel from the very start, they woulr'! all have been etter off. This statement of J,ir. Dickson was confirmed to ~ack by Murray ;iel1', Barnhardt' s as;;ociate, at the ¥ale Club in l~ew York, wh~ told him that the remark had been made at a meetirig of the stockhol~ers of the Dickson interests at the office in Chnrlotte. Chapter 39 170 The State of 1srael at the Close of the Fifth Year of Independence. The following a/!f'ress was given by Jack at 'l'ewple Beth Israel in Havana on April the 24th 19 53. We ira ert it in these Memoirs because the subject· is x prominent ~llfl[ at all times in .ltlui: mis tooughts. 11The Digest published montl!lly by the ~ewi.;;;h Agency and World <2:1onist Organiza~ion in Jerusalem gives faithful coverage to developments which, while not always as encouraging as one would like to have them, are nev~rtheless important contributions to the glory o~ Zion. In its pages we fir10 reports of new and promisins; inaustries, records o:lf' imports anr'l experts, c onr1i ti om affect1~ the availability of di visa, nev. areas placer1 under irrigation and cultivation, effar-ts to increase the sources of pric~less water, the potentialities of the Negev, the production anfl importation of alimentary products, new housing made available to immigrants, new sdttlements, the labor sitn.ation, domestic and international politics an/! economics, Arab-Israel relations, trade pacts, ttie phil oso.phy betliind Israel I s acceptance of reparations from Germ.any, progress in ttle Arts. and Sciences and educational facilities in Israel, and so on, ad infinitum. There is also the magazine publistierl in Spanish called "ISRAEL Y LA AMERICA LATINA", whicl:l presents transcripts and translation,. of ad dresses by Israel's leadirg intellectuals and diplomats; articles which comman/1 our arlmiration because of their /!irectness and unequivocal sincerity. These publications togetl:ler with daily news and ra,Uo broa/!casts provii!e ample evidence of the. growing stature os ttle ~tate of Israel, while iteratir:\g a warniQs t_o all ottier free peoples that the continui~ intransigeance o.d' the Arab nations in refusing to concert a treaty of peace with Israel has become a menace not only to Israel but to the peace an/! stability of every; nation geographically contiguous to her.self or with interests in the l,,id:"le East" and t!lrient. , Just as the United States has rlo1in toe case of the Corean conflict, so Israel has repeatedly sought an.honorable way to peace witn her misguided neighbors, believing that to do so in the open is no index of weakness but rather a proof of moral courage and physical preparedness. Israel seeks a just settlement for all concerned, and displays a proper spiri1t o:r conciliation, even in ttle risky matter of Arab refugees, but. the Arabs have as yet made no gesture of reciprocat.ion. 171 Tl:le reactions register0n amorg Jewisl:l com~,unities in tl:le Diaspora indicate no abatement of just pride in tl:le accomplisl:lments of tl:le State of Israel or in ttleir desire to continue all possible economic aid, for Israel is unquestionably the superlative fa~tor in tl:le improver'! social status of tl:lese communities because of l:ler respecter'! membersl:lip in tl:le u. N. ann becauseJof l:l@r amazirg success in transforming an apparently exl:lausted and sterile area into wl:lat is now once more a Lana of Fromise after two tnousand years of Arab ignorance and negligence. In so noing, Israel l:las evoken universal admiration ana l:las contributer'! largely in l:lolding at bay tne insidious forces of anti-semitism. At tl:lis point Jews tl:le world ov;;ir need no longer suffer the pangs of relligious self consciousness and social frustration. The State of ±srael is giving proof day by day despite its grievous difficulties tnat Jewish men and womemi are _"ILhepeers oif men and women of any otner race or denomination OF in point of steadfastness ,u, purposd, courag.e, self-respect, scientific and artistic achievement and practical proficiency, Nevertheless, we, citizens of the Western World, far as we are from tl:le scene of propl:letic realization in •alestine, are forced to acknow ledge that certain questions lurk compellingly in our thougnts, ques tions to whicl:l we feel tnere should soon be an answer; namely: "Will tne Arab nations, particularly :Egypt, rirgleader of them all in obtuseness and instability, be ultima.tely compelled to malce peace wi ttl the State of Israel because of the pressure of majority world opinion?" "Will the State of ±srael continue to receivce economic and military assistance; f10~m the Western World until such time as ttle Arab nations agree to trade wittl her and :Egypt opens tl:le Canal of Suez ta l:ler traffic, witnout wtlLctl Israel 1s economic burdens may prove to be more ttlan sl:le can bear?" These aru legitimate questions to wni of the Palestinians.,,., almost to tnat oi' martyrs, But the soul$ of these pioneert1 burm. witti a fire diffe.rrent from our own; theirs is truly tne fire of an unquanchable faith without which tney would nave found little reason for survivirg, To tne wor~ers in Zion this is the time appointed in history for 1the ingatnering anil redem.ption of the People of tile Book. Truly, tnis fai tlill has not; gone unrewarded, nor will tne rewarrl be i!ellllien while faitn does not fade witt. t,ne attainment o:tr ,..... increasing material 1Xxa:1u1:ease, as has occurrerl in many otner lands wher e a pletnora of carnal pleasures prevails, witn precious hours waster in vain anrl fruitlesa pursuits, s0, that no reasonable margin of time remains for actilrviities whicn chasten an~ inspire tnejminf'>. As a result ot' this phenomenon, many co1,,cunities lea/ling in technological ac!ilievements are none toe les3 suffer iq,; l!!Xld: from a partial ecli\pse or submergence of tne true signitfigance of liviq,;, incapacitated tneref0,re to serve as torch-bearers of moral progres3 at tnis crucial crossroa/ls o.if"¢il(ili za ti on, Even a cursory observance o:f nL;torical cycles cannot fail to imprel''s tne fact upon us that tne lite:.,of Compen:;ation is as inexorable an/I repetitive as life itself upon this earth. In N,;.ture we finrl c ompe nsa- tion to be. tile rule not the exception. An ancient Greek realized this fully wnen he exclaimerl: "The mills oil' the gods grin!'! slowly, but they grinr'I exceerJirgly, small." Soon or late, just as happens in the case of inr!ivir'!uals, every comu,unity and every, nation is suu,u,arily calle,/! upon to balance accounts witn Destiny, Those wnich choose to betrey their responsibilities as members oif tne numan family, especially those which have caused or condoned the torture, ruin, expulsion and assasoo.nation of fellow-men to indulge genocidal impulses or imperiliastic ambitions, invariably expiate sucn brutalities witn los3 of cnerished posaessions, loss of empire, losd of life, and,xxim in extreme cases,even with tcotal national extinction, For wna t can be mor~monstrous tnan man~ s inhuma~ity t0, nis own kind? Is tner1 any fO'f'm of perversion more despicable than the enthronement oif hatred? Fortunately for mamkind in general, the careers of tyrants and oppressors are relativejy short; theirc 173 is inevitablv a race against time, with Death in the sad~le, How nifferent is tne picture with <.1urrepublicans in the State of Israel! This new, virile comwunity, heir in great part to two thousand years of dispersion, sufferiQ?: and tragedy, reminds us of the extraordinary fact that the Jews as an ethnic group nave never surrendered or outlived their sense of responsibility. The Israeli of today are keenly aware of the historical anachronism that the early Hebrews, tnougn a gifted and endurirg people, failed utterly to develop an enduring and progressive form of government. They realize that the cause of this failure was probably a blind, ill-founded faith in what had become a venal, intolerant and decadent ~B•»xa27 theocracy. The structure of the new State of Israel, as we all know, is that of a sound democracy functionii::g at abouqt dead center of a flexible and orderly liberalism conceived to meet the exigencies of a nar~-pressed rural and urban population, While the great majority of Israel 1 s citizens are of tne Jewish faith, no dogmatic, retrogressive priestly caste any longer exists wnion could conceivably make a claim to tne prerogatives 01:r civil government witn any chance of succeS3, It is interesting to note that Zionists have never put any credence in what is generally understood as a "race agaJLnst time". Subconsciously they envision time as tne blessed hand-maiden of a timeless Promise in whose ultimate fulfillment they never r'oubtecl. They were wise enougn to recognize that victory woulr' go to tnose who were founr' worthy at last to '.,ear the crown of freef!om; that Life, not Death, would be in the saa•le. Fermi t me a few v1ords on tne subject of Israel 1 s diploma tic skill and leadership at tne present time, Tnese possess an almost a~iiiVi quality in this modern era of maohiavellianism, for tnere is no hypocrisy, t chicanery, prevarication or aouble-talk about tlllem. Israels pronounce- accrel'!i tel'! ments in the U. N, and elsewhere attest this fact, Her uxall:t.U repre- iJentatives mean wnat tney .say and say wnat tney mean. Their poise and self-respect are proverbial in delicate international discussions; they never indulge in expressions of revenge or resentfulness. Yet tney are realists unoer tne stress of any unjust pressure, not brookii::g the remotest attempt to encroach upon the autonomy of any portion of the territory acquired by Israel :'luring the struggle brought on by Arab aggression. Were tney to act differently it woul:'! be tantamount to a betrayal of the Prophetic Promise 1 inasmuch as the City of Jerusalem is 174 the very core of that testament to vltlich the Jewish faith has been anchorer froru the time of the rispersion. Triis living faith, with deerls to eorrespand, may well be terme~ the true substance of Israel's Bank of Reserve, the source of that invisible s1rength whicn has charac terizer! this people throughout i ta checquerefl hiatory, anrl which thinkers of every cretJ!I are learning to envision as a hitherto unriscoverer! oasis in the r1ilrernes;.; of social confusmon. I am tempte a to extenr 1 myself with regar" to this inner, invisible strength. fs it not a gift to all rlilligent searchers.after Truth? Is it not t·ne spiritual heriitage of every man ant" woman who clings to Prine iple at whatever earthly cost? I like to think of it as such; to view it as the seal of a growirg, world-encircling brotherhoon, the power of whose thinking is becoming a mighty phalanx on the battle fieln of public opinion, revealer! especially in times of unusual stress,• as for instance when the righteous few are beset by the unrighteous in superior numbers anrl material resources. At such times, those who see only with the physical eye attribute ttrn victory of the weak to a "miracle", wher'"as those who see also with the eye of' the Soul call it simply an Act of God, the interposition of the inscrutable Law of Compensation to which I have previously referred. 1 Entering as we do now the siKth year of Israel, s inrlependence, let us pray that our faith too may increase. So shall we comprehend the full signifigance of the axiom that fruitage·cannot be gathered before the Tree of Labor mttains maturity. It must be so with Israel. Sheer logic forbids us to entertain the possibility that free peoples, co-members of the United Nations ~rganization, would abandon a sister member to the macninations of despots and sadists without just cause, especially when, as colonist;;;, ~ ill~J;i,~in the struggle for freedom as volunteers, giving a geroic account of tnemselves as part of the ;ai-itish forces under that ungrateful Mandate. On !liarch 9th ~f this year, Senator Charles P. Taft, at the tim1of accepting a plaque from Henry Morganthau in Washington, state/! that 11Russia 1s break of diplo matic relations with fsrael woul~ strengthen the rletermination of the United States to contil.nue its airl to Israel." He went on to say; "The purpose or American policy is serverl by a strong Israel; Israel I s economic strength must be built up with the help of American aid". Despite this welcome expression from the then majority leader o:If the 175 American Senate, iterating United States solidarity witn fsrael, tne fact snould be faced tnat direct, effective intervention by tne ~estern Matio~ .,, on benalf of tne State of Israel must almost certainly await a decisive betterment or worsening of relations betw·een tne Great Powers now facing one anotner witn bitter resentment in Europe and Asia. Upon tne{outcome of tnese major issues depend tne peace and lib.arty of all peoples, including Israel. If tti6 outlllome snoult! be war, living conditions in eveJry section of tnis planet would probably deteriorate to a point dreadful to contemplate, compare/!. witn which Israel's present status woult'l seem a Paradise. If tne outcome be Peace, tnen tne Arab nations, deprived of the active or tacit support of the enemies of tne Western Powers, will no doubt fin!! it necessary to unite in tne general amnesty rather tnru:1 face tne consequences of not so /loing, unsupported and alone. Vie can but cont:i.ni)ll to nope tnat no irresl-'onsible government, great or small, will again attempt to set back the Clock of' Progress,~ s-.1.) ~ for tnougn/\an attempt mignt soon be quashed, tne intertude m:l.i!!!lltprove utterly disastrous for those concerned. ~iay Israel 1 s message of strength througn faith reverberate witb ever-spreading momentum tnrougnout all Time everywhere on earth, helping all peoples to arrive at a reasona~le adjustment of poli~ical and ideological differences. And may tne gracious influence of Him wnose name is Truth spetid tne day ot:· erril.igntenme nt, freedom, peace and security to a cruelly misguided and:µ: mercilessly disillusiore,d humanity. " 90 cnapter-4f By way of Soliloquy. Ttle Reader will finrl attached to tnese pages Jack 1 s Essay on "Books", and ni3 most recent poem, "An Ode to tne Angels", published in tne Havana Post on December 24tn, 1953. Ttle poem in question was composed witnout any foretnougnt of publication. It was tne free expression of an urge wtJictJ tlad possesserl Jack for some time anrl wnictl obeyed an impulse to admit courageously to himself anrl otners tnat if tnere is any logical basis for belief in tne soul, t s immortality, tnere can be no logical reason for turning asille from an instinctive reacnir.g out toward loved ones wno nave crossed tne Letnal stream anead of ourselves. It seemed to .Tack1.~natu tnis "Song of Gertitude" migtlt be a fittirg 1 ,,.,-.,,.,~~ climax to tlis ll!emoirs, and;1tle neld it in reserve for ttnis purpose. Surldenly it occurrerl to nim now few would be tne persons wno were likely to nave access to tiis Memoirs, and ttiait; tnere are many wno ·in tne facd of apparent separation from tneir loved ones lVllll migtJt find tt in tne poem some element of balm. It was tnen tnat tie decided· near Ctlrist111111stime to offer it to Mrs. Clara Par~ Passino for publication in tne ~avana Post. It was promptly accepted by tier, anrl given a cnoice settir.g in tnat news- paper. All tnis is witnout prejjudice to tne lodging wnere it properly r belongs, namely in tne Memoirs. ' Ttle opportunity i.s now given us in tnis same .cnapter to comment upon Jack's great admiration and devotion to literary classics anfl compo sition. Ttlis tlad its beginnings in nis close correspondence witn nis fattier, David Henry Brandon, wnose interest in great thinkers, authors and spokesmen never flagged tnrougnout tiis lifetime. fater, as a student under Mr. ~an Thompson, at Dr. Saens• scnool in New York, Jack 1s natural . " liking for sel~-expression was constantly utilized in tne classroom and out of it, Indeed, tlad Jack not been required to assist nis fattier in Panama; nad tie been left in New York to develop bis natural preferences, tie would most probalb>ly nave turned to an educational career. 1 Thereafter tne pressures and responsibilities wnictJ simultaneously attended tne establishment o:r nis nome and a new business enterprise in New York made it impossible for nim to furtner nis literary talents, but ne was ever conscious of .. tne ferment in bis soul wnicb be held' in check until tne time should arrive for maturer expression. As tne years began to crowd in upon nim, tie could no longer stay bis eager pen. His 177 subconscious mint'! ha/! alrea/!y synthesize/! the finr!ings of personal experience an/! merger! them for use with a wealth of information gatherer! from the classics to which he ha/! been unceasingly/ drawn. The synthesis to which we refer is to be founr'I in the few slenr'ler volumes of prose ant'! poetry wtlich Jack has culler! from ttJe best of' his work, anr'I publistJerl. 1-ie tJas been the recipient of numerous favo~able comments regarding these from sturlents an/! e/!ucators, but tlas never nourisher vain expectations of finrling a press-agent wtlo woulfl unrlertake a campaign of' publicity. He is quite aware that these writings are the fruit of leisure rattler than consistent appli cation; also ttJat without a sponsor who alrearly has made a name as a writer, an unknown auttior has but a poor chance of securirg the notice of the rearling public, particularly when his writings are not fictional. At rrofessor Roa' s suggestion Jack sent a few copies to the Librarian of the Library of Congress in Washington for approval. Prompt acknowlerg- ment was receiver and adritional copies soliciterl. Three or four times requests for furtner copies were made until about 70 copies in all were sent. There were requests from several American colleges an/! Universi- ties for their libraries, probably recomu,endeEl by the Library of Congress inasmuch aa Jack ha/! not previously comL.unicate/! with these. Jack rill, however, senff one copy of each of his books to the New York Library because it /!oes not ristribute literature or allow any of its books to leave its premises as so many other libral!'ies r'lo. From that timtjto this Jack has continue" to write at unpreme/!itate/! intervals, "casting his brea/! upon the waters" feeling ttJat perhaps there are some who /!erive comfort anf! pleasure from his labors. Jack is now in tJis 74th year. He is well aware that he snoulr'I henceforth increase his hours of leisurely contemplition anrl summation and /!ecrease his +&fr:Ajto comwercial activities. It had, been his firm intention to bring this to pass, but the aftermath of the War is at long last makil1s itself felt, more particularly in his line of en/!eavarr, anrl he feels that any attempt on his part to retire woulil now be inaus- picious. While the nature of his business is that of a servicing agency to the textile in/!ustries in Cuba, his turn-over is contingent ji 0 £he activity of tne lo11al mills, and his earnings have rlecreaserl correspon- /!ingly as the r'lepressed situation has continuerl to prevail. Jack's two sons, David Philip anrl :l!oarl are versatile an/! resourceful yourg men, anrl Jack for years share/! equally with them his opportuni-ities in busir:e.ss. A few years ago David elected to strike ou-it for himself seeking wider 178 horizons for Ibis talents and greater innepenrence of action along somewhat .4~-- r'lifferent lines :b:arl. Jack's busines~ was in a position to offer. Earl stayer'! with the business, anrl while con/litions are presently adverse, both Jack anr himself hope good times will come again and brirg; with them the reasonable sufficiea1 which they, enj ayer'! in the Past. The 'Nar, risastrous as it was for those who were caller! upon to surren ~er their opportunities for peaceful pursuits, many of whom were destine/! to fight, bleed, suffer and /!ie to serve the cause of freedom, brought great pecuniary advanta:;e to the hosts which remained at home. But much of thts plus-age of wealth is beginning to be re-absorbed into the void from which it rose. Numbers of those who lost their way spiritually in the maze of apparent worldly success are now forced to face the fact that theirs was but a transitory bonanza; that they way be called upon with little or no notice to part with many or all the possessions they thought were permanent ani" upon which they consecrated unflagging efforts. To such persons it way be well to say that,after all, these things were but time loans whose proceeds are not legal tender beyond the grave • .Allow us to_ close ttlis rambling chapter entitled "Soliloquy" with a few words regara';i:stherJ' and Jack's only daugtlter Pauline. Like the proverbial symbol of fealty, Pauline has never once failee %~ in her r'levotion to her parents. "To err is human", but to love is divine, for "Love conquers all things. 11 '·HAVANA,CUBA, THURSDAy;,,MORNING,DECEMBER 24, 1953 An Ode to the Angels.· A Song of Certitude ,I One, recent morn I rose to find Insistent urgings ,in my mind; · Like whispered l'eprimands for duty 1ll~performed, . Or some mJustice done, where Justice should: ha.Ve .reigned. But soon the veil. was lifted; I beheld . " .- · · Commingled, elements of .joy-as in my SOut up~Welled This Song of Certit~de, of doubts fore'er dispelled. 'How swift and true the upward winging tlfgbt, Heart's Own to Love's Own, calling. Beyond bereavement, death despite, E'en to life's timeless, sinless Height, Soul with soul communing.' No mote I deem that angels are .but fantasies; I would believe they dwell in a sublimer state Away from earthIY idols, fears and hate, Transformed into the substance of Eternity; WherebY they· live, And living, Fortify our ta.1th in Man's divine estate. A voice iB heard that echoes down the years: "His angels shall have. charge over thee, To keep thee in all th~, ways." · Should not th.ts blessed surety ' .,I Open, Wide our eyes To things,· we've failed till nOWto recognize; Things th8.t gladdE!n, though by some unheard, Which anciently great seers bestirred? . Shall we still spurn the truths That heal the earth-scarred heart And send it forth again to do its rigl:ltful part? Let us not be fettered to material planes of thought I Love's tenderness and ·grace .., _.\ Have made !or us a place Beneath the magic star~filled Dome, Where headstrong will surrenders To the wonders God haa wrought. This place should be to us a home Where we can come and go · In Joy or sorrow To behold the fleeting loveliness o! Da.wp, , Till Aurora. beckons westward To the Valleys of the Sunset. . To the gateway where the Sun··dip,s, and ls.gone·. Who rnay our angels be? Those Whom··We·cherish as they loVed and ~~ed_shed us;· Love Which abjured what is selfish and spui:iQlJ:IJ; Burd~ned alone with the gifts of the Spirit, · _,;:' Herald of truth from the Soul at Ila summit. . _JacobBl'andon. ·'·'(:., ·,'.;.,·,\ ;·Jif~~~i~,!Jt,:;,'.f:;%1' ', I It Iii a pleasure o_t_,, to .1uhsUtuMfor my frlenil. W• ,..., both b)l OR THOUSANDSOF YlllARBin the datent p .. i, F Mtmlameans Ot communieatlon were limited. to oral and visual forms; that ls to say, to speech and gesture, to tlie giving and recelv!ng o! alglll anu tokens, t.o the Jound of horns and other tnstrun1enta of convocs.tion., to blazing fires and UpwMd~curlln« smoke. · Tllo·perpotuat!on of tradition . and folklore was ne~lly confided to gifted Individual.,. In each n . pJJ;J/V' community who, not unlike the lJ"': famous Scotch minstrel .of · a / cJ,,i f.iJ'' more recimt !Jllllt.Were expected , ,t~ ):l'-I ... fu. Na. (6. if. N11. Ir ,_., ,-_ N. 11.:'_~_'._,; c~-~f:. .: .. ~.:.~ .; __ _ {C(/&.vdU.JMri,,...Y-/2lt,1r1;, /M /f.i•J - . \f BRADFORD, -----.... _. u·.-TttJ"f>wr,liRJ~,. £,',, ., •· ,,::,,: •'.··:''#I'-~ , . - Chapter 41 181 MASDNRY About 46years ago Jack became a member of Justice Lodge No.753 in New York. The Lodge met at the old lvial!onic Hall on the north-east corner of 23rd st. and Sixth Ave, wnich has long since made way for a modern Office Building. Jack 1s sponsor was his then partner in the handkerchief business,· Mr. Solomon Jiagnus. Justice was k·n~wh as the (;andyman' s --~, Lodge because so great a number of candy manufacturers joined it. Jack found the membership to be neither cultured nor imaginative, generally speaking, and often wished he had j oine/l the Craft through another medium. Nevertheless he did not solicit a demit, an/l didd what he could to improve the:a work for a consiclerable number of years. In 1922 Jack left the Unit: d S.tates to residett1,in Havana, Cuba, but it was not until 1950 that his son Earl, who had become a member of Islaml Lodge No. 56 in Havana, urged his father to solicit a 1 ong-negle cte!'! r1emit from Justice Longe in order to join the Cuban· organization. Jack nid so gladly, assisten to that end by Past Master George Moore and his son ""arl. Permission was obtained from the Grand Lodge of New York, and iack promptly applied for membership in Island Lodge. Since that time Jack 1s eldest son, ;J.Javid., Philip, has also joined the organization, and both he and~is father enjoyed a very particular honor when ;J.Javid received his degree of Master Mason. All this Jack owes to his son .Earlls determination to bring him back to the folr after so great a lapse of time. Island Lodge is an exemplar of fine, dign~fied masonic work, 4 • 4':i'("'t:t':~ an1'! lib~i'a.l thinking. Jack is proud to be .·,p'[~ted among the members of this worthy group. At this· writing Earl Bran" on is Senior il!)eacon of tile Lo"ge, anct Jack looks forwarr with pleasure to as3ist him in perfecting the work that lies before him. I. CONCERNING GOD AND RELIGION A Mason is obliged; by his tenure, to obey the· Moral LaW; and if he rig~dy unde;stands the Art, he will n~Verb~t1iA~})id Atheist nor an irreligious libertine. He, of aU men, should best understand that GOD s.eeth; for man looketh itt ·the outward appearance, but GOD looketh _:to·the. h~ru'.t.·' A 'Ma~ is,' ~he-refore, particulady bound never to act ~in.st the dictates of his conscience, Let a man's reHgion, or mode of worship, be what it may. h-e is not exduded f;om the ,m·der, provided he believe in the glorious architect of heaven and earth 1 and practice the sacred duties of Morality, Masons unite with the virtuous of every persuasion in the firm and pleasing bond of fraternal love; they are ·taught to view the errors _of mankind with compassion, and to strive, by the purity of their own conduct, to demonstrate· the superior ext:ellence of the faith the}' .-~ay profess. Thus Masonry is · the centre of union betweell good men and true. and the happy means of cond!iacing friendship amongst lhose who must otherwise have-remained at a perpetual distance, -From the First Printed Constitutions; 1723, of the First Grande Lrldge in the World (England), ADDENDA TO THE MEMOIRS 182 Temple Beth Israel Cemetery - Havana. There are several graves in this Cemetery which pertain to ,l the Brandon, Maduro, Salmon, Liebman and Torok families. Clara Lindo Maduro Born 1853 Died 1933 Samuel Harold @almon 11 1890 11 1931 Jur'li th li,aduro Brandon II 186 2 II 1940 Anna Maduro Salmon II 1864 II 1940 Robert E. Salmon II 1894 II 1952 Henry I. Liebman II 1877 II 1943 Jennie Liebman II 1880 II 1948 Sarah Hahn TUrok II 1871 II 1943 Clara Lindo Mariuro was the mother of Elaine Pauly, now resit'ling in - Panama, and Florence Salmon, resi/!ir.g in New York City. Samuel Harold and Robert Salmon were sons of Anna Maduro Salmon, the first being the husband of Florence and the latter the husband of Kate Crosby. Henry I. Liebman ana his wife were the parents of Eleanor Kaplan an a :f...ouise Branaon, botn living in Havana. •'I Sarah Hann Torok was the Mottler of Martha Brandon, a /!ear soul who live/! happily with her daughter anri son-in-law,Da:vid Philip Brana on, from the time the couple was married until Sarah's passir.g. The sisterSJurU th and Anna passed away only a few months apart. Anna had shared Judith's home for several years. The reader is referred to Jack 1 s Miscellaneous Writings, pages 70 and 71, for a pen-picture of his lviother 1 s many virtues, the words in question having bea:11 read on the occasion of her 70th birthday ahniversary. Anna's thoughts revolved unceasingly around her only surviving son , Robert, (Bob), who passed away only about two years ago, leaving a wife and daughter to enjoy the fruits of his laborious years. Anna was exceedingly talented in painting, hand-work of all kinds, wood-carving etc, and !!st her and ·Jack are the possessors o:lf' many ~ beautiful examples of her handiwork. We have had several occasions to mention Henry Liebman in these Memoirs for the sweetness of his character and loyalty of his nature. 183 Worils spoken at the unveiling of the headstone at the grave of Steve Seyler, January 17th, 1954. Steve Seyler, loyal anil ~evote/l husband, unassuming frien/l an/I a master of his chosen Art. It was his mission to express Beauty through channels illumine/I by his particular talents. His ability had already lifted him beyond me/liocrity; fame and fortune had already beckoned when he suil/lenly fled away. Possibly his physical resistance was impairer by brutal experiences in Europe, or perhaps it was just that the refinement of his spirit rose in revolt at some ill-adviseil me/lical intervention. Be this as it may, we who stand today sorrowfully before his tomb are still aghast at the manner of his leaving. But Nature will not allow her chililren to mourn perpetually. · She speaks to them through the multiplicity of her visible manifestations, sayirg: Be ye comforted. He is not lost; he has but put off the tattered garment of mortality to ilon the vestments of the Imn,ortals among w!lom he has been gathered. Be ye comforted because Goll lives; because whatever possessesx the nature of Truth, Love anil Principle is real and imperish able; safe in the bosom of the Savior towar/ls whom our souls forever gravitate in search of fulfillment. . No part of Creation is spiritually rud/lerless, for Goi is One anil Inilivi sible, eternally reflecteil in what He has create/l (Adonai Echof Increasing maturiity more and mare transforms us into the pronuct of our own thinking. In the case of Steve 0eyler, the fervor of his genius so pervaded his thoughts and ilemeanor that there was little room left for what is vain anil trivial. He loved Beauty for its own sake knowing it to be the only ileathless. thing, the earnest of Eternity vouchsafed to us as we struggle through this earthly pilgrimmage. Let it be our aim also to keep the appreciation of Beauty in all its forms enthroneil in our hearts and mini's. From time to time we visit these sacred shrines raised to the memory of /lear ones who have passed beyonil us. But to/lay our prayer goes forth toward Steve Seyler, that he may fulfill his ilestiny in regions of unending peace anrl felicity. For her who cherishes his memory most of all, there is balm in the words of a great American writer and poet, Ralph Walrlo Emerson, who in the very midst of his own immeasurable grief at the neath of his beloved and only son, sought to assuage the /lespair of others who were similarly bereaved, exclaiming: "Hearts are dust; hearts• loves remain. Heart's love will me.et the~again. 11 • • • • • • • • 184 Jack&: Estner 1 s Golden Wedding ~ay, llia.ron tne eigntn, 1 9 5 4. We a.re nappy to be able to bring these annals to a near close in blithesome spirit. Dear Helen and Claude offered tneir lovely nome in wniotl to celebrate tnis golden occasion. Estner and Jack accepted it gratefully, because upon estimating tne number of guests wno were likely to attend, it was quite evident tnat tneir home would not be large enough to aooomodate 250 persons with any degree of o omfor t. Martha and Gloria lovingly undertook the entire responsibility of the festivities, including the preparation of tne astounding buffet, managing. tne nelp, and decorating the tables. No words can do justice to tne general effect of tneir labors. Claude collaborated by illu minating tne gardens ntRttraotive colored lignts, and Helen was, as usual, tne sweetest of hostesses. Tne write-up from tne social editor of tne Havana Post gives a meager idea of the appearance of tne environs of the party. Prominent among tne guests were eleven members of ~stner's and Jaok 1 s family (including in-laws) wno came from New York and Pennsylvara expressly to attend tne celebration. Tney were their daugnter and grand-daugnter, Pauline and Carol, Emil and William Steinberger, Regine and Fred Rosenberg, @attnew and Frances Grant, ~ebeooa and Mirrel JJ~avis, and a good-lookil:l;l; and genial young gentleman, Russel " . Palmer by name. It was a great joy to welcome tnese dear folks,· some of wnom o.ould only be spared from tneir busi111,sses for four or five days, while others remaire d in Havana for ten or fourteen days. The celebration proved to be a dual one, tor Ouring !tle festivities just wtlen Esttler and Jack nad cmt tne beautiful 25-lb. Wedding Cake and ttlere was a solid wall of persons, about them, Jack announced• ttle engagement of tilleir grand-daugtlter_ Carol to Russell Palmer. Ttlis was a genuine surprise to a great number of ttlose present, and added to ttle tlappiness of ttle occasion. Ttle party oontin1D,d from abot.tt. oocaij;I.on. Esttler wore tler 7 PM to midnigtlt, and was a memorable • Black band-ma.de lace gown wittl a gold lam6 slip. sne looked lpvely and youtnful in tne eY7es olt' ner loved ones, ''Jack too did tlis ~are to ra.diate ttle joy ttlat welled in tlis own tleart. Two of Earl is and 185 Gloria's three children were at the party also, namely JAslie, eight years, and Grant (Beto) six years. Dear little Judy, (three years) was still too young to come. The couple received a multitude of beautiful gifts. All will be guarded carefully as mementos of the joyous occasion during the ensuing years. Many cables and telegrams were received from absent relatives and friends. These will be found in the "Golden Wedding Book'' in which 'Wiii: the signatures of quite a few of the guests will also be found, To Helen and Claude go forth Esther's and Jack's heartfelt thanks, and likewise to lla.rtha and Gloria.. Only those "in the know" can realize how grilling the job of catering and preparation turned out to be, with so many to be provided for. Esther was spared these onerous duties, for which Jaok is particularly grateful. Thanks are also due Marguerite Haydu who contributed some of the most delicious pastry that tongue ever taetedo And so the Golden Day 11111dethe world stand still for the loving couple for just a little while •. Already it is among the many blessings to be counted by them. Henceforth life will take on its usual humdrumcharacter, except that while Pauline, Regine and Carol Temain in Havana, for Esther and Jack with a special radiance. 186 These Things----- I Know•••••• Sans Mind the eye sees not, Nor comprehends. By Love conceived The Great Unseen transcends. This much seems clear, my friends; Though age my body bends My spirit will not bow To claims which tend to wrest The laurels from my brow. I confess that I abhor The ways of those who oommerce with their favor Or try to bargain for my own. I cherish what is true, What no frailty can undo, The modest yield of seeds I may have sown. We share this Earth, a multitude; The true, the false; the simple, shrewd• But I love moat, or rich or poor, Those who in conscience live and labor Unobsessed by self-importance Or the doubtful arts of pretense. I am happy, hating none. Well I know the Rain and San ImpaM;ial are, for they bless all, The valiant and the craven, With a largess bowitii'ul, A dower not denied To any oreature God-allied, · In WhomMan's spirit lives uni'allen, Its essence-sinless. Somewhen, Somewhere, in more joyous guise, We shall arise. Jacob Brandon. Havana, ~arch 12th, 1954. 187 J- f)/JLJ"',u,, lM-«, J n:w""'f'a~~ / TheGolden Years 72,.,,/;;::;;, HEN I THINK ABOUT PANAMA··& not in• ';:,. ;/15 Wfrequent occurrence, because an old love never really dies--! always remember James Macfarlane and Jack Brandon. The former, who was in charge of dredging in the Canal construction days, iS now making a world tour on the Cunard Liner "Caronia," and at the time these lines are being written, Ja:ck and Esther Brandon are celebrating their golden wedding" anniversary. In fact I am at this moment in top gear at the mines so that I can produce my daily quota of salt and be present with the other two or three hundred re latives and friends who will be celebrating the joyous occasion at the Miramar residence of Jack's brother, Claude Brandon. Jacob Brandon, more fam iliarly known as Jack, was born in the RepubliC of' Panama on August 4, 1880, anci was ed\icat cd at Dr". Fach's CollegiRte In stitute in New Y6r"k. After gra duatiOn he went to work With his unCI8, Isaac Bran- don at 35 Broadway, wfiicH was the U. S. office· o-t / Shortly after World war I, Jack was required to the Panama banking firm of Brandon Brothers. In )come to Havana on business. He liked the town and those days there were no banks in Panama--only decided to settle here. That, he told m~_the other bankers--of whom the best-known were _the Bran- day, was one of th<:i happiest decisions ot his life. dons and the Ehr mans. . . He has prosper~d in __Cuba and he is grateful for The Brandons did a great deal o! the' bankmg the opportunities he found in this country. On •the business for the old French Canal Company which 1 other hand, the Brandons of Panama, Pennsylva t.uspended its active effort· to dig the Big Ditch about nia, and: New York, are a,famlly which has made a 1889. After that· tinie it :fought de·speJ;"atelyt6 hold solid contribution to th~ economy of Cuba. ~ome kind of organization together until its franchise Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Brandon have one daughter could be sold to the united States. Its efforts in and' two sons, Pauline, who 1s now Mts .. J. Y. Diaz; this direction were successful, but the Republic ot David, and Etirl. The 1a:st-ri1_entibn~dis that king of Colombia, of which Panama WM then part, adopted e:x:troverts whose participation always guaran~s the an obstructive a.ttltude and it was not until -Nov, 3; success of the Little The·atre pt"Oduct.lOnSin Ha.van.a. 1903, when the Panamanians declared their inde-- Jack's sister, DoriAf,is,Mrs. William "Robinson f!,nd he pendence that the building of the Canal was assured. has three brothers who are prominent figures in the -i As a. young boy_ in the Brandons' office 1n New Ouban btisi:ness world; Clliude, Gerald, and DaVid York, Jack .was one ,of the minor aCcoucheurs at the' Henry J3fa.ild6n. birth of the ne,V' Republic._ He saw the Secret _tele- I have seen the name of Brandon in many his grams going through before the revolt in which one tol'ic do·cutnents reterring to ttie ea.tIY story of the of the principals was Philippe Bunau- Varilla, presi- Isthmus itlcludiiig Bimau-Varilla/s book de9.1ingwitr dent of the French Canal company. Later Pte·si- the pre:t&V61Utidnaty :negotiations wtti:i. the United dent Roosevelt declared that, he-had "taken Panama," states. Long befoie I bad the pleasure ot meeting and such a statement could n6t have emanated from Jack 1 krteW manyof his rela.tives iii Panama; in a more authoritative source. clud;ng such outstanding and higb-tegarded fll:inilie& Jack met· the lovely Esther Steinberger irt Ii.er M the Fidan(iUes anci the :MiidtitOS. hometown of Bradford, Pennsylvania, where they AnYone who rfIB.-dsthis seotioii niust know that were married just fifty years agO yesterday, Shortly jack Brandon is one of my irt6st poj>tdar guest col aft.erwards they went to Panama, just in time for umnists. He is a prolifiri W'ttter ort_philo.!i6j,hicand Esther to contract yellow fever, At the time she social themes and hll-9 publisli:ed several book~ and Was attacked by the dreaded Aedes egyptii, a young innumerabie artieles. As tece:nt1Y a/J Friday ritght u. s. Army ueutenant named Samuel HerCh, who last, Etininie Thompson, iii the Course of a dis was spending the evening with the Brandons, aIBo cussion in which the pfti'tici'ParitAwere Donna Ward, Was infected with the yeiiow Jack. Both he and Prescott Oatter and James Hedges, declared th8.t she Esther fell ill at the· same· time and Herch died. But considers Jack BrEindon to· be ari fnspii'Cd and in the fen'iale of the species is not as frail at the poets spiring writer, Which comment, coming _from such a would have us believe. Esther survived, but she I well-informed source, is indeed high praise. had the advantage Of the medical attention of one I On this their golden anniversary, everyone in our of the greatest authorities in the world on yellow town and ;verywhere wishes Jacob-'"fd ~ther "Bran.. fever, Major (late~ Major General) William Craw- · don a golden future of health _an·d_ liappiness and ford Gorg'as, who had worked with Dr. Carlos Finlay ma.ny long yea.rs: among tliOS8 htindtedil who value in Cuba. Int:idel1tilly', the official name of Virtudes their friendship BS being itself of purest _gold, Street in HavaiJ:a is Ciille M8.jor Gorgas. \~l\~Jii;'.f?~:\;;:r,··. '',, - '~ ' ~' 1 :l'.ft,});';if•··. , "ed~~~~f·~~rhing,~ai-ch 10, 1954 ·';G~l~~J·WJa~~~gIs. ~~-" /CelebratedBy Mr. .. l 'AridMrs.Jack Brandon ,Mr. and Mrs.· Jack Brandon, re,./ sidenta. ot Havana for over thirty ye1us1celebrai€d their Golden Wed .. ding Annive::sary on Monday wtth ' $ large reception which was held a·t the home of Mr. and. Mrs. Ciau_qe Brandon in Miramar. -':'.' · Relatives :rom the States, w!jo came to Havana from New York expressly for the oocasion1 were Mr. and Mrs. Jack: Brandon's daught.er, Mrs. J. Y. Dlaz and her daughter,, Carol Diaz, A!so Mrs, Brandon's sis~ · ter, Mrs, F:ed~rick Ro.senberg and 1 her two bmthers, Mr. Emil Stein- I berger and .M'.r.WiUiam Steinberg .. ) er, Miss ~becca De.vis. and Mrs, MerriU Davis, of TituSvme,Pennsyl vania, woo attended the wedding fifty years 1igo are Mrs. Brandon's ccusins. Al~o attending were Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Eller of New YOJ;k_ and Mrs. Earl Brandon's pa.l'erit:s;_.: Mr. alid Mrs M. B. (jrant from,] Pittsburgh/; Pe,nn. · · _/1,'! '.Mrs. Bra.nrton, dS.ughter ·-_~t the \ late Fcli,t aad Mary Stetnberger, of ; Bradford, Ptnn., and Mt'. Jack: Brandon, were nuuried in Bradford, .3/ Penn., on March eighth in 1904. I · The house was beautUully decor~! ated with fl.>ra! arangem~_ts ...A., PN'..,:· had been pla.,..edon the terrace-:!ot:'. !r.e two hundred and flft:ii.t;jiestil: whic1'. attended. The bullet t,.~.los which 00-d l>e.:nset on tt+e sid-e ter race held a sumptuous buffet .'and! were beautiinly decorated cat'rying! out the golden theme, Tall ·gilded. candelabras "--1th gilded· ta-pers,'were1 piaced on either side of the center-·. piece of yellow chrysMtthemums, gladiolas and roses arranged With gold tinted balls and ribbons, Plac.-~ td on the ends _of'the large bu!fet: tables were huge gilded waterJne.. , lons, which had gilded lea! handles,, filled w!tb frult salad. Another at•, tractive dee:,ratlon were the enor~' mous natural straw baskets, trim..rl med In gold, which held buns and rons. The anniversary cak:-e,~hich / was a large squa.re three~ttered · ·::_(Bke, deeortttP.d in white and gold twtth roselJ, with a lace wedding bell' ·.Placed On the top, was served on a. . te• cart. · 1 , ·ntt_rlngthe.reception the engage :~t at: Miss =1 Diaz, grand- . d[\\J~r ~.,Mr. and Mrs. Brandon. _to·Mr;,R~~~l Palmer wa.,at;noune Cd, .Mr;'..·~~er, who came from ·wew::~~~rk,~'}he ~eption, is the IO!l: , dnesday Morning, March 10, 1954 THE HAVANA den WeddingIs. THE JACK BRANDONSCELEBRATE GOLDENWEDDING A ~bratedByMr. I Mrs. Jack Brandon . and M, s. Jack Brandon, re ts of Ha.vana for over thirty , celebrated their Golden Wed Annive:s8.ry on Monday with' ·ge reception which was held :: home of Mr. and Mrs. Claude :ion in Miramar. atives ~rom the States, who to Havana from New York ssly for the occasion, were Mr. \,,!rs. Jack Brandon's daughter, J. Y. Diaz and her daughter, Diaz. A!so Mrs. Brandon's sis ,!rs. Frederick Rosenberg and -wo brn~hers. Mr. Emil Stein r and :'v!r. William Steinberg [iss Rebecca Davis and Mrs. 11Davis, of Titusville, Pennsyl . woo attended the wedding years ,,.go are Mrs. Brandon's 1s. Also attending were Mr. lfrs. Alfred Eller of New York Mrs. Earl Brandon's parents, md Mrs. M. B. Grant from mrgh, Penr.. :. Bra!l.1on, daughter of the 'elix aad Mary Steinberger, of ord, Ptnn., and Mr. Jack ion, were married in Bradford, • on March eighth in 1904. i hous~ was beautifully decor ;vith fl.nal arangements. A bar 1een plar~d on the terrace for wo hundred and fifty guests attended. The buffet tables . had l.J€,,mset on the side ter tleld a sumptuous buffet and beautii:!ly decorated carrying he golden theme. Tall gilded labras with gilded tapers were l on either side of the center RS. JACK BRANDON whose golden wedding anniversary waS · (lelebl'tl of yellow chrysa.nthemums, are seen in the above picture with their children, (from left to right) Mr. David Bt las anj roses arranged with Brandon, Mrs. J. inted b3.lls and ribbons. Plac Y. Diaz, Mrs. Jack Brandon, Mrs. Earl Brandon, Mrs. David Brandi the ends of the large buffet Brandon. were huge gilded waterme- 1i ;i;rhich had gilded leaf handles, With fruit salad. Another at ,e decJration were the enor- Ii natura?. straw baskets, trim- ... gold, which held buns and te an::iiversary cake, which large square three-tiered rlecor:=th"d in wbite P.nd !l0ld Wednesday Morning, March 10, 1954 TI-IE o:) a:, rl GoldenWedding Is_ CelebratedByMr. And Mrs. Jack Brandon Mr. and Mis. Jack Brandon, N~ sidents of Hu.vana fot over thirty years, celebrated their Golden we·d ding Anniversary on Monday with a large reception which was held l at the home of Mr, and Mrs. Claude Brandon in l'v1iramar, .Relatives .::rom the States, who came to Havana from New York expressly for the occasion 1 were Mr. and Mrs. Ja1_;kBrandon 1s daughter, Mrs. J. Y. D.iaz and her daught.er, Carol Diaz. Also Mrs. Brandon's sis ter, Mrs. Frederick Rosenberg and her two br:,;:-,hets,Mr. Emil Steinw berger and Mr. William Steinberg er, :r.-nssRebecca. Davis and Mrs. Merrill Davis. of Titusville, Pennsyl~ vania, who attended the wedding fifty years 1,g:o are Mrs. Brandon's cousins, Also attending were Mr, nnct Mrs, Alfred Eller of New York and Mrs. Ea.rl Brandon's parents, Mr. a.nd Mrs M, B. -Orant from Pittsburgh. Penn. Mrs, Bra.nrton, daughter of the ' late Felix aad Mary St.einberger, of Bradford, Penn,, and Mr, Jack 1 Brandon, were married in '.Bradford, 1 . ·Penn,, on March eighth in 1004. The house was beautifuUy decor ated with fLn-al a.rangements. A bar had been plarl¼d on the terrace f01' the two hundred and fifty guests which attended. The buffet tables which ha.d l.ie1:mset on the side ter~ race held a sumptuous buffet and were bea.utifnly decorate-ct carrying out the golden theme. Tall gilded candelabras with gilded tapers were placed on either !ide o:f the center piece of yellow ch.ryssinthemums, MR, AND MRS. JACK BRANDON who,se golden wedding / gladiolas and roses arranged with are seen in the above picture with their children, (from le, gold tinted 1,ia.Hsand ribbons, Plac Brandon~ Mrs. J. y, Diaz, l\lrs. Jack Brandon, n-trs, Earl Bra1 ed on the ends of the -large buffet Brandon. tables were huge gilded waterme lons, which had glJded leaf handles~ filled with ftuit salad. Another at~ trri.ctive-dee,:i.ration we.re the enor mous natural straw baskets, trim med in gold,· which held buns and roils, The an::,iverstU'Y eake, whieh was a large square t:hree-tiered take, decorat~d in white and gold with rooes1 wi~h a lace wedding bell placed on the top, was served on a tea cart. During the reception the enga.g.-: ment of Miss Carol Diaz, grand~ Ca.ughter of Mr. and Mrs. Brandon, to Mr. Russell Palmer wu a1;mounc ed. Mr, Palmer, who came from New York tor the reception, is the Mn of Mrs. Ethel Palmer and the Je.te Erle :a:.Palmer, former publi · 01st tor the Cigar InsUtute o! Amer~ I tea.. I\liss Ca.rot Diaz CAROLDIAZ ENGAGED TORUSSELL PALMER The engagement of Miss Carol Diaz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Juan Diaz of Forest Hills, Queens, to Russell P mer, son of Mrs. E ·· rooklyn and t , has been . parents. M1$S' Diaz attended the Art, Students League of New York. She isa granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Brandon of Ha- i vana. 1\fr. Palmer was graduated ' from New York University. He : is a member of the staff of the Crowell-Collier Publishing Com- : pany.