The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1935-04-09
pehind the Scenes
- in Washington
WITH RODNEY BUTCHER

Basuch II standout After Usual Run Of Wall Street
Witnesses -. He's Sincere But Munitions Probers
Cant See His Remedy Huge War Profits Of In.
Washington April s:-Anyone who had the ineffable
tnesday y privilege Of r bearing Mr. Names
Committee is now afflicted with the uneasy suspicion
That taking the profit out Of war Is an operation COM
EGGS o o o. 81 i s..nes rc
an even greater one to listen to him. Among al the
bulls, bears. wolves hyenas. and warthogs who have
before Senate committees these last few years. Baruch
stands out IS Of . superior breed.
II anyone supposed that Baruch had profted from
the World War when he filled the great post Of chair-
man Of the War Industries Board he quickly changed
his mind as Baruch made forceful, frank presentation
OF his personal wartime finances
Thereupon Baruch assumed the role Of IN honest,
benevolent old granddaddy both to help the
rittee In its Job and to get full credit leader in
the movement to eliminate war profits.
SINCERITY IS ADMITTED
Nobody questioned Baruchs sincerity any more than
MS honesty He was convinced that his plan for war
time fixing plus heavy tax profits would be
mighty effective.
But the committee brought out plainly that
II the national defense In the last war had de-
pended on WILLINGNESS Of American industry to
fOreg0 huge profits, the Germans would have
taken Kansas City within three weeks
While Baruch himself was In charge OF the Indus
trial show and prices were being fixed such industries
Steel "copper" and gunpowder went ION strike In the
midst Of until such profits assured.
49, Surrounded by half dozen retaners under Her:
Baruch lowered in the committee room. He switched
his glasses from to pncenes he stop
hands and arms as he alternately grinned confidently
beetled his brows and waggled his finger like school
teacher.
His career has given him touches Of accent from the
deep SOUTH the western praies and from the side
walks Of New York-as when he says "woik"
STRIKES EFFECTIVE POSES
He strides the stage like Hamlet and leans con.
fidentialy the committee bench-in q blue serge
suit and polka dot tie the first day, q blue pencil
stripe and bluewhe striped tie the second day. and
q brown suit brown-fig,red shirt and gray tie the
third day.
He promised the committee to sgo long
way with you" and he did He agreed the War
Departments so-called rs per cent profit con-
tracts" for wartime were .ridiculous and absurd"
could profits really be cut way down?
"well, let's you and go into room with EN-"
said Barch meaning the would-be proteers to Chief
Investigator Stephen Raushenbush.
The record" raped back Raushenbush, shows
that you did get in with EN- In the last war.
And look what happened Even you weren't very proud
HUGE GOUGE REVEALED
3, to s ner cep on .. "a pa csnts oe :"
that squawked and baked until they forced price Of
23h cents. Committee records indicated that through
fixing they had cleaned 100000 more than
they should have Sulphur companies jimmied q
price OF $50 ton, whereas later Federal Trade Com
mission study showed the ton cost was but $S7S.
Similar stories told Of steel, aluminium, Nickel
and other industries Later revenue agents reported
1917 taxes for these companies should be LOG cent
more than they willing to pay in 1917; per cent
more than they offered for 1918.
SAFEGUARDS NOT so GOOD
Baruch sure it couldn't happen again. Public
opinion, public psychology would prevent It, The
committee wasn't SO sure. When Baruch admitted
his price-freezng scheme left for huge profits
Raushenbush assured him the industries would again
employ politicians to save them billon-dollar post
war stake In disputed taxes
"show q better plan and I'll 60 along" said
Baruch, but he didn't commit himself on the Flynn
plan favored by committee members, for tax on Ill but
cent Of profits in wartime and limitation Of In
comes to $4,000 year.
At the end RaushenbuSh spoke for the committee
staff, with Nye's approval, to Baruch
'Were unwilling to stand up at the begin.
ming Of any war and take moral responsibility for
reassuring people rs to war profits by selling
them gold brick"
And the well-meaning. honest, ukeable Mr. Baruch
went away retteratng that he wanted to eliminate
profits right up to the point where that would ham
per victory. He wasn't sure where the point was.
Copyright. 1885. NEA Service, Incl