Men Around Byrnes

In his first week as U.S. economic czar of World War II, small, shrewd James F. Byrnes worked smoothly, feverishly--but behind closed doors. He issued a few routine orders. But most of the time he was feeling his way. With his small staff--private secretary, two attorneys, four stenographers--he moved into new offices in the just-completed East Wing of the White House. He conferred often and late with Franklin Roosevelt.

In the hollow of Jimmy Byrnes's hand lies the fate of the U.S. war economy. Fortunately it is a competent hand, firm, fair and facile. In ten years in the Senate, Czar Byrnes had learned the value of operating quietly. Many a time, when it seemed as if there would be a knockdown Senatorial battle, Jimmy Byrnes got the fight called off. He hopes to work the same way in his newer, tougher job.

Notable were the appointments of two men who will work with him.

Policy Maker. As his chief attorney, Jimmy Byrnes brought back to a dominant role in Washington a man whose words and ideas had once spelled magic--Benjamin Victor Cohen, the idealistic, philosophical half of the once super-active, super-powerful team of White House favorites, Corcoran & Cohen.

It was a somewhat changed, more modest, even more ascetic Ben Cohen who now settled himself at practical Jimmy Byrnes's right hand--ready to draft his orders, do his leg work, feed him ideas. In the palmy middle years of the New Deal, Ben Cohen and Thomas G. ("The Cork") Corcoran were in there swinging hard for New Deal reforms. They drafted the SEC and Holding Company Acts; they helped map Franklin Roosevelt's Supreme Court fight, helped plot the unsuccessful 1938 political purge.

After Partner Corcoran left Government service for a fat private Washington law practice, Partner Cohen faded from the Washington spotlight. He volunteered as adviser to U.S. Ambassador John G. Winant in London to help speed Lend-Lease. After a brief spell in England he returned to Washington. Although he dropped off the Government payroll, he stayed in the background, occasionally helping to draft a bill, to give advice. He turned down several jobs offered by Franklin Roosevelt. Still an ardent New Dealer, it was winning the war that seemed important now. He was waiting for the spot in which he could be most effective. Right-hand man to Economic Czar Byrnes was just the job.

Policy Critic. Jimmy Byrnes already had an eight-man advisory board of Administration stalwarts when he became Director of Economic Stabilization. Four days later, Franklin Roosevelt added six more: to represent labor, farmers and management. Five were well-known presidents of well-known pressure groups.* Least known to the U.S. public, but highly respected in Washington for his practical know-how, was the sixth: bald, outspoken Ralph E. Flanders, 62, a shrewd and independent Yankee and a top-drawer engineer.

President of famed Jones & Lamson Machine Co. (turret lathes) in Springfield, Vt., Ralph Flanders actually represents nobody but himself. His expert technical advice was much sought in Washington when he bossed OPM's machine-tool priorities division in 1941. He left when he found himself in conflict with bureaucrats, but his advice continued to be sought.

A onetime unsuccessful candidate for the Republican Senatorial nomination in Vermont, he has long been an Administration critic, calling for an end of "blind vindictiveness" toward business and of "blind, though benevolent, experimentalism."

No one expects the board to do more than advise; Czar Byrnes clearly has the power to carry out his decisions without interference. But if things should get in a hopeless muddle, the U.S. public can expect to hear about it from tough-minded Ralph Flanders.

*U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Eric A. Johnston, Farm Bureau's Edward A. O'Neal, Farmers' Union's James G. Patton, A. F. of L.'s William Green, C.I.O.'s Philip Murray.

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