Part 1 - The Institute Libraries - Institute for Advanced Study

pointed on a rainy Manhattan dock were Kayor James Uslker, Sam1 Unter-
rneyer and their political cohorts, who vere engaged in an election cam*.
paign -- the first of a legion willing to make capital of the physicist
for their own ends. For all kinds of Interests in the American cmmmity
-- religious, ethnic, sentimentel, social, ideological, palitfcal and
comnercial -- were eager to exploit Dr. Einstein. The appeal of thfs
manta all kinds of people has long mystified observers. One thing is
certain: it made him a prime target for all who had samthing to gain
by identifying him with their causes, good or bad, There were also those
who revered him for his hman quality 2nd scientific achievements, The
Professor, fresh from the limelight in Europe; looked fmard to peace
in Princeton, having done hfs best for his cause,
He was quite unprepared for the vigor and thoroughness of
American techniques of *loitation. Dr. Flexner, who hsd excellent re-
sults in handling hfs ovn public relations, deplored the naTwete a£ the
Professor and particularly of &s. Einstein, and objected ssrangly to
the publicity which attended their first ~ublir: appterances. This 14
him to make a dangerous mistake. By prearr~ngement he had.ken am--
fng met1 addressed to Einstein at the Institute before Xhefr arrival,
consistently declining irrvitations to speak, to dine, to attend meetings,
to sponsor causes, etc. He did not offer to reroute this r~ailuhile the
Einsteins were, ufth so;me difficulty, settling in a rented house. .Thus
them
he continued t o decline Invitations, not consultkng/euen about an invita-
tion tendered by the President of the United States. Instead, he declined
it: