Evening star., 1937-08-01

America, thatS the edlct
VI Of Walter A. Jones, million
4 aire oil man, philanthropist
and head Of the revivified Good Neigh
Dor League. that organization which
has suddenly become a potentially
powerful factor in American politics
For long time before Chicago" Mr.
Jones, whose home is Pittsburgh but
whose perigrinations and whose inter
ests have taken him into every corner
OF America. was conjuring up some
kind of a new deal in politics, but he
wasn't sure about the dealer. He
thought he had him in Al Smith and
stepped from the trusteesllip Of Meth
odist Ohio Wesleyan University. his
own alma mater, to help the Happy
Warrior, who Warred in vain.
When that assay didn't click Mr.
Jones bided his time, searching the
political horizon as Dioeenes looked for
an honest man. At the Chicago con-
vention Mr.. Jones ran down every pos
sible candidate and looked him over
and interviewed him. He was going to
be sure. Finally, the die was cast
and he visited the candidate at his
New York City home. He still was
uncertain.
Decides on His Man.
At the door he was met by the late
Gus Gennerich. presidential bodyguard
and master Of ceremonies.
When you see me come to the
y
twinkle that made anything he said
sound like an invitation to lunch,
that means the interview is over"
Mr.. Jones went in, had his talk, was
impressed about everything but one.
After all. here WAS New Yorker, what
did he know Of America. who only
New York knew?-as Kipling might
have said.
1t happened to be the moment when
the then Governor of New York had
to decide whether or not he was to
chastlse Mayor Jimmy Walker for do
ing what the Seabury investigators
said he did
"GoVernor-" Mr.. Jones was Just
about to take up this delicate matter
when Gus appeared at the door
Mr.. Jones rose, explained that he
had his exit cue, but paused long
enough to say he had intended to
explain what the West expected the
presidential nominee to do about the
unhappy mayor.
Sit down." said Mr.. Roosevelt, or
words to that effect.
Mr.. Jones said his say. He didn't
wait for promise, however. he was
satisfied, There's ny man" he re-
marked to friend afterward, And
his man" the President has been
ever since
Job Of High Importance.
Now he is stepping in to do what
he believes is going to be job of
high Importance. Carry on "educa-
ton in the ways of liberal thought.
Mr.. Jones belief that America needs
such an education began many years
ago when he sat on the committee
which settled the controversy over
wages for the windoW-elass workers.
Mr.. Jones had the capitalist view. He
still believes in capital. heartily, en-
He is the fourth genera
ton of glass makers: his father built
the first window glass factory in
West Virginia, the son carried on and
built the largest one west of the Mis-
sissippi, at Shreveport, La. So the
Of the boss was congential,
But when he got through those ne
gotlations he felt something was wrong
with the picture. He realized that
he and his fellow
employers were simply fighting against
the workers instead of trying to work
out plan with them.
He pondered that long time. The
idea grew. At last he concluded that,
before the idea could be changed poll
tics would have to be altered He felt
that politics was at the root Of the
inability OF capital and labor to work
together, the obstacle in the way of
And so Mr.. Jones started his quest
for political leader.
Offered His Services.
Satisfied with F. D. r., he offered
his services on the Democratic COM
mlttee. He was made director OF
finance. The job. as he puts it. was
directing finances into the treasury
Then he was called to Washington
to help build the coal code for the
N. R. A.
Early in the game he saw the hand
writing on the wall He felt the
N. R. A. was doomed. So he went
back to Pittsburgh and called together
the bituminous operators.
Get your lawyers he told them
and lets draw up law. And work
on hypothesis that coal Is q natural
resource and that you are DESTROYING
the wealth Of the Nation when YOU
run your business as you do"
He called on John Lewis. then With
the A. F. Of L., told him to offer
his draft
That was the birth OF the GurYev
coal act.
During this period Mr.. Jones IA.
came fast friends with John Lewis
They have so remained ever sinoe.