great many of these things, because I developed and organized concerns which did it.”
Does he mean that he was interested in concerns at the time of his appointment? This would be an interesting point to clear up.
Another matter which would be not only of interest, but of great usefulness in explaining the gathering of a Jewish government around the President during the war, is the question of Bernard M. Baruch’s acquaintance with Woodrow Wilson. When did it begin? What circumstances or what persons brought them together? There are stories, of course, and one of them may be true, but the story ought not to be told unless accompanied by the fullest confirmation. Why should it occur that a Jew should be the one man ready and selected for a position of greatest power during the war?
Mr. Baruch, in his testimony, sheds no light on this question. He had opportunity to do so, had he wished.
- Mr. Graham—“I assume that you were personally acquainted with the President prior to the outbreak of the war?”
- Mr. Baruch—“Yes, sir.”
- Mr. Graham—“Up to the time that you were appointed as a member of the advisory commission, had you ever had any personal conferences with the President about these matters?”
- Mr. Baruch—“Yes, sir.”
- Mr. Graham—“Had he called you in consultation or had he talked to you about these matters and about the matter of your appointment before you were appointed?”
- Mr. Baruch—“Never suggested anything about the appointment, because I would have told him that I would prefer not to be appointed.”
- Mr. Graham—“Do you now recall, Mr. Baruch, how long before you were actually appointed as a member of that advisory commission you had your last conference with the President?”
- Mr. Baruch—“No * * *”
That is not all of Mr. Baruch’s answer, but it is his reply to the question. Having said “No,” Mr. Baruch
