Mr. Graham—“ * * * you changed and took these advisory committees and had the National Chamber of Commerce reappoint them, so that they then were direct representatives of the Chamber of Commerce and not of the officials of the United States or connected with any governmental machinery?”
Mr. Baruch—“I never considered them officials of the government, Mr. Graham.”
Mr. Graham—“They were as much officials of the government as the rest of you, were they not?”
Mr. Baruch—“I do not think so * * * (after several questions) * * * I asked them to serve so that when the government wanted anything they could go to one small, compact body, rather than to send out to I do not know how many people. You see?”
Mr. Graham—“Let us see about that. They were serving under you, were they not? You were the head?”
Mr. Baruch—“I appointed them and asked them to do this so that I could have a compact body to deal with.”
Mr. Graham—“You did not think for a minute that they were representing the government, but did you not think you were?”
Mr. Baruch—“I was doing the best I knew how.”
Mr. Graham—“But you had authority to bring these men in, Mr. Baruch, and appoint them as com¬ mitteemen under you, and you did so. Surely, if they were representing anybody it was the government, was it not?”
Mr. Baruch—“I do not think so.” Mr. Graham—“Am I right in assuming that you thought they represented the industries?”