| Re: The VeriThin Dix [message #14858 is a reply to message #14854] |
Thu, 13 May 2021 06:02   |
 |
Ephemerald
Messages: 1039
Registered: October 2018
Location: City of Lake Salt
|
Gruen Authority |
|
|
Hi!
Interesting article you wrote there. Its great you were able to piece together so much of this watch owners story, I must say, its quite uncommon to be able to find out so much info on someone who isn't a relative or famous - good work! And didn't even have to contact his family? Wow.
And w/ all due respect & under the full umbrella of a constructive critic who is simply invested in correct Gruen history, there is one inaccuracy I am compelled to point out in this statement of yours:
"This is despite the service of Benjamin Katz, President of Gruen being also the president of the War Products Board during the opening years of the war.".
Benjamin Katz was never at any time the "president" of the War Production Board.
The Chief or the First Chairman of the War Production Board (not "Products") during Katz tenure (Dec 42 to Feb 43, barely 2 months) at WPB was Donald M. Nelson.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donald_Nelson
What did Katz do on the WPB? Well, he was invited by Vice Chairman Ferdinand Eberstadt to be his "special assistant" in implementing his "Controlled Material Plan".
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferdinand_Eberstadt
Why did Katz leave so soon?
There were many insane mini wars going on in the WPB. Not only were the two head honchos in competition, Nelson and Eberstadt but there were different factions within WPB loyal to Army/Navy and others loyal to Air Force despite these being Civilian posts. Eberstadt may have been an investment banker but his role as the Chairman for Army Navy Munitions Board during WW2 and service in the Army in the Great War formed loyalties he could not abandon.
Basically, Eberstadt, who btw was instrumental in founding CIA & NSC, wouldn't release Army tools for the Air guys to use on their airplanes, and was only at WPB for 5 months before Nelson forced him out but is still recognized as being very impactful on WPB. He was a Wall Street guy, but in consolidation with his Army brethren, Eberstadt enlisted in Artillery after being canned at the WPB a symbolic gesture. Katz as Eberstadts right hand man had to leave with him.
There were two Gruens on the WPB. Edward Dietrich Gruen and his wife Bertha Gruen (maiden: Asch). This is one of Frank Gruens son's. Frank is, of course, the most reserved & least well known of the original Gruen Brothers. Bertha was an economist British & U.S. Raw Materials Finance Committee for WPB & Edward was a "senior industrial economist". Their WPB tenure spanned prior, during, & post Katz time at there. Whoa way more than I meant to write. Carry on.
Matthias
[Updated on: Thu, 13 May 2021 08:10] Report message to a moderator |
|
|
|
Vintage Gruen
Blog
Pages
Search
Help
Members
Register
Login
Home
