Evening star., 1942-09-17

OMAHA. Sept. 1.-THE Nation s
new rubber czar and the giant loco
motives that roar over the tracks
of the railroad he directs both have
the power it takes to haul a tough
load to its destination.
William M. Jeffers, choice of Pres
ident Roosevelt and War Produc-
ton Board Chairman Donald M
Nelson to direct the rubber program
even looks like locomotive.
He is big and husky. He weighs
more than 200 pounds and is just
one inch under six feet.
But 66-year -old Mr.. Jeffers, who
rose from $15-a- month Union Pa
cific call boy to president of the
railroad in 1887, is no machine. He
has never lost his touch with the
man in overalls and they love him
for the way he speaks for them.
His most recent declaration in
that regard came after he observed
what he believed was too many
society folks" getting recognition
In the administrative work of the
I Red Cross.
Backbone of Democracy.
He sat down and wrote National
Red Cross Chairman Norman Da-
Wis that If the Red Cross was to
do its job. the people who eat in
the kitchen must be permitted to
take some of the bows along with
the socialites.
The backbone of this democracy
still eats in the Kitchen" was his
succinct remark to Mr.. Davis. And
the Red Cross chairman responded
by calling on local chapters to give
the working man more representa-
ton on administrative boards.
Conservative members of the
Omaha Chamber of Commerce were
surprised when Mr.. Jeffers sug-
gested ''the little fellows, who in
reality are the big men," be given
a part in chamber activities. He
purchased 10 memberships in the
chamber for representative conduc-
tors. brakemen, engineers and other
clerical and operations Union Pa
cific employees.
Got Letters Of Protest.
Bernard Bsruch, in his report on
the rubber situation, said that un-
less the needs are met the country
faces military and civilian disaster.
That's another way of declaring
unless the problem is solved Hitler
and his allies will win.
But back in 1899. Mr.. Jeffers was
saying Hitler isn't going to win
this war and we should tell him
we're going to see that he doesn't
win"
Mr.. Jeffers' comments brought
him hundreds Of letters In bitter
protest. but Mr.. Jeffers stood his
ground. He knew there was q war
to win and America had part to
play In the victory.
And now. given q job that may
mean the difference between victory
and defeat, Mr.. Jeffers plans to ad-
minister it in the same way he has
handled many a tough assignment.
In his own words:
When you want to find out
what's going on, you 60 out and
ride the rails. You talk to the man
at the machine, the section fore
man, the man who's doing the job.
I make 1t q practice to find out
what's needed, then open the
throttle"
Quit School ut IA.
Mr.. .JefferS. born in North Platte.
Nebr, January 2. 1876, quit school
when he was IA to help support his
family. He took q job as call boy
for the Union Pacific Railroad.
Later he became q telegrapher and
q clerk In the maintenance of way
department
Gradually he climbed to more
important posts. He became gen.
era, manager in 1916 and one year
later was named general superin-
tendent He was promoted to exec
utive vice president in 1882 and be-
came president in 1887.
The problems he must solve are
many and technical. He'll be the
complete boss. He must reorganize,
SOiiScAAddeC dllo dll UllC
efforts Of the Government to al
leviate the rubber shortage.
He must work out a 100, ,0O0- ton in
crease in Butadiene output to come
into production in six months. He
must direct building OF facilities
for production of 100000 900 gal
Ions Of alcohol for use in the syn
thetic rubber program.
His worry" Henceforth.
He must boost synthetic produc-
tion to the point where it will be
possible to relax restrictions on
civilian driving. Above all, he must
meet military needs.
But Mr.. Jeffers was told there
was job to do. The President and
Mr.. Nelson believe he is the man
to do it. The 10000 employees of
the Union Pacific, a surprising num-