WEINSTOCK, HARRIS

WEINSTOCK, HARRIS (1854–1922), U.S. businessman and communal leader. Weinstock, who was born in London, emigrated to the U.S. and settled in California in 1869. Entering business with his half brother David Lubin in Sacramento and San Francisco, he established the Weinstock, Lubin Company in 1888, which became known for its one-price policy and enlightened employee relations. In 1908 Weinstock established an automobile supply business in San Francisco, and was also vice president of the Weinstock-Lubin Real Estate Company. Weinstock's interest in labor relations and in civic government brought him invitations to participate in numerous civic activities. He was a member of the Board of Trustees of the State Library, the Board of Freeholders of the State Board of Horticulture, the Executive Board of the National Civic Federation, and others. In 1908 he was appointed by Governor Gillet to investigate labor conditions throughout the world, publishing his conclusions in Strikes and Lock-Outs (1911). President Wilson appointed him to the Industrial Relations Commission in 1913, and he also served on the Industrial Accident Commission at the invitation of Governor Hiram Johnson, a close friend. In 1915 he was appointed State Market Director. Weinstock, who was active in the California Progressive movement, was often called upon to mediate strikes. With David Lubin he was an influential supporter of cooperative marketing and agriculture reform.

Deeply interested in Jewish life, Weinstock served for a number of years as president of his congregation in Sacramento, where on occasion he conducted the service and delivered the sermon. He was author of a number of articles on Judaica, including religious and economic essays entitled Jesus the Jew and Other Addresses (1902). During World War i Weinstock led fund raising for the American Jewish Relief Committee.

[Max Vorspan]