The Waterbury Democrat., 1945-04-27
Durr is strong in his praise for
the new Loan Administrator.
HE ROWED WITH JESSE

DUR is strong in his praise for
the new Loan Administrator.
HE ROWED WITH JESSE
Banker John Snyder's appoint
ment brings to light some hitherto
little known facts about what
went on behind the scenes dur
ing the days before Pearl Harboi.
Actually, though serving under
Jesse Jones ana generally known
as Jesse Jones man, Snyder was
frequently in conflict with him.
Snyder was brought into the
RFC by Emil Schram, who lived
across the Mississippi in eastern
Illinois. Together with Cliff
Durr and william Livingston, they
formed a little group which III
1910, before the war hit the U.
S. A., tried to loan money for de-
Tense plants 10 prepare the coun
try for war.
There was conflict inside the
RFC over this. The cxamin.
ing division which followed the
Jones philosophy believed these
defense plants were waste OF
money. Jones himself seemed t.
think the United States would
not get into the war and leaned
against the idea. That was one
reason why he bucked the build
ing of synthetic factories.
In 1880, however. he was busy
at the job of being Secretary of
Commerce, and the Defense
Plants Corporation was formed
by Schram, Snyder, Durr ct al
without too much Jones con-
sultation. II was this group
also which pioneered the first
airplane engine factory for the
Packard Motor company to
make British engines In the
summer of 1910 just before
France fell. Many inside the
RFC were opposed, but Snyder
and his friends pushed 1t
through.
Snyder also fought against Jones
regarding the lush contracts
signed with the Aluminium Cor,
poration OF America and which
originally gave ALCOA control
OF prices, permitted ALCOA an
additional five years lease after
the first five years, and even gave
ALCOA the right to throw alum
mum production into their plants,
while closing down Government.
plants. Due to later opposition,
this contract was slightly modi-
fled.
Eventually, Jones eased Schram
out as chairman of the ltFC into
being boss OF the New York Elk
change. Any although snyder
was next in line to take his place,
Jesse significantly passed over
him. Jesse didn't want a man
like Snyder getting too mich pow
er. Afterwards. Snyder Went back
to st. Louis and private banking.
Not long before Harry Tlumal.
became President If TIE Uliiie q
States, he was the guest OF honor
at dinner given at the exclusive
Sulgrave Club by Oklahoma's mil
lionaire oil widow, Mrs. George
MeSta. After dinner Harry was
invited to play by the famous
Sidney dance orchestra within was
batting out medley for the &C.
caSion. The president OBJ
liged, and played several pieces.
He played them very well, but
with a juvenile technique. At
the end of one of them Orchestra
Leader Sidney leaned over and
asked
What was the name Of that
number, Mr.. Vice-President?"
THAT was The Fairy Waltz ;
Truman replied.
After playing three numbers
Truman was invi:ed 90 play more
But children sometimes have an
embarrassing way OF debating
their parents. Daughter Mar
garet Truman leaned over hel
fathers shoulder and said
"Uh, uh: that's all he knows.
CABINET RESERVATIONS
Cabinet members consider sig
nificant the byplay occurring a
the first Truman Cabinet meet.
ing when the new President asked
all the Roosevelt Cabinet Il
stay on.
Secretary OF state Stettinius
! who u next Ia uns 70 becola'