Revised 4/10/2017. Copyright @2017; The following Documentary Timeline has been compiled and created by Paul Rhetts. It may be copied for research purposes; but it may not be reproduced for inclusion in any printed or electronic distribution of any kind without the express written permission of the author. Any requests to use this information should be sent to Paul Rhetts, LPDPress@q.com.
Charles Edward RHETTS (1910-1971) m. Ruth FISHER (1910-1990)
s/o John Edward Rhetts 1863-1967 m.1 Anna C. Williams 1863-1899; m.2 Nellie Bowman 1867-1927; m.3 Effie D Maupin 1883-1959 (1st son and 2nd child of John Edward Rhetts; only child of Effie Maupin)
d/o Walter Lowrie and Mabel Taylor FISHER (2nd daughter and 8th of 8 children)
Ed Rhetts was a prominent lawyer in Washington DC during the FDR administration and in Salem Indiana, before concentrating on private practice. Very involved in local, state, and national politics. Earned an undergraduate degree from Dartmouth and a law degree from Harvard University.
Right out of college (B.A. and M.A., Stanford University) in 1934, Ruth Fisher got a job with the Nevada Newspaper Syndicate and she was assigned the job of covering Senator Key Pittman's 1934 re-election campaign. Key Pittman served as United States Senator from Nevada from January 29, 1913 to November 10, 1940. Key Denson Pittman (September19, 1872 -November 10, 1940) was a United States Senator from Nevada. He was a Democrat. Pittman was born in Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1872and was educated by private tutors and at the Southwestern Presbyterian University in Clarksville, Tennessee. He studied law, then later became a lawyer. In 1897, he joined in the Klondike Gold Rush and worked as a miner until 1901. Pittman moved to Tonopah, Nevada, in 1902 and continued the practice of law. He represented Nevada at the St. Louis Exposition, the Lewis & Clark Centennial Exposition, and the irrigation congress. In 1910, he made an unsuccessful run for the Senate. Later, he was elected as a Democrat to the Senate in 1913 to fill the vacancy caused by the death of George S. Nixon, and served until his death in 1940. Between 1933 and 1940 he was the Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Relations and was also a member of the Committee on Territories and the Committee on Industrial Expositions. In addition, during those years Pittman was President pro tempore of the United States Senate. Among his legislation is the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937 that set up a formula for federal sharing of ammunition tax revenue for establishing state wildlife areas. The program is still in effect. It was rumored for years that he died before his final election in1940, and that party leaders kept his body on ice in a hotel bathtub until he was re-elected; this story has been disproven.[1] In fact, he suffered a severe heart attack before the election, and died after the election at the Washoe General Hospital in Reno, Nevada. His brother, Vail M. Pittman, served as the Governor of Nevada. Several pieces of legislation bore his name, including the Pittman Act of 1918 and the Pittman-Robertson Wildlife Restoration Act of 1937.
4 Jan 1910 Dr John Edward Rhetts, Effie and Edith moved to Columbus from Salem, IN.
6 Jan 1910 Columbus (IN) Republican: Mr. and Mrs. J.E. Rhetts left Tuesday morning [January 4] for Columbus, having shipped a part of their goods to that city last Saturday, with the idea of locating there permanently if the prospects prove to be all right. The doctor is a number one dentist, understanding his profession thoroughly, and with it an honest workman, giving good satisfaction to his patrons. He was elected councilman from the Fourth ward at the November election, showing that he has the confidence of the people of this community. The Leader is very sorry to lose Mr. Rhetts and estimable wife from among us, but wish him well wherever he may be. [original]
21 May 1910 Charles Edward Rhetts born in Columbus, Indiana, living at 410-1/2 Washington St (according to 9 Apr 1910 Census) [Bartholomew, IN Birth Index, doc] [SSN 352-07-2688; doc]
27 May 1910 Salem Leader: “Mr & Mrs Wm Maupin left [Salem] Wednesday morning for Columbus to see their new grandson, little Charles Edward Rhetts [born May 21].”
15 Jul 1910 Ruth Fisher born in St. Luke’s Hospital, Michigan Avenue, Chicago, Cook, Illinois (8th child of Mabel Taylor and Walter Lowrie Fisher, according to birth certificate #4561 and Register of Births); family resided at 1313 N State St. Chicago, Illinois.
1 Sep 1910 Rhetts family moved back to Salem from Columbus to 109 N HighStreet
13 Mar 1911 President William Howard Taft swore in Walter Lowrie Fisher, Ruth’s father, as Secretary of the Dept of Interior; family resided at 1810 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington DC
16 Mar 1911 Washington Post: SNAPSHOTS AT SOCIAL LEADERS Interesting Events and Gossip, Both at Home and Abroad, as Chronicled in the Post’s Exchanges. Mrs. Walter L. Fisher, wife of President Taft’s new Secretary of the Interior, holds the record of having the largest family possessed by any of the cabinet members. Big families, despite President Roosevelt’s views, apparently are not popular in Washington’s official society. The Fishers appear to be, on the other hand, very happy with a family of nine children, of whom the eldest is a boy of 20, now in college, and the youngest a baby girl, Ruth, who is less than a year old. Mrs. Fisher, before her marriage, was Mabel Taylor, of Boston, and showed her progressiveness first by taking a degree in Radcliffe College. Then she became a force in the Chicago women’s clubs. She intends accompanying her husband to Washington for a short time in the spring, but will not make her home here permanently until after school commencement. Until the Fisher’s entered the field the big-family championship was divided between Secretary Wilson and Secretary Nagel, each
22 Mar 1911 Amanda D Kouns Fisher, Ruth’s grandmother, died in Ravenswood, Jackson, West Virginia (1910 Census says she was living with her son Howard Lowrie Fisher in Washington DC on 28 April 1910)
12 Dec 1911 Washington Post: SIDELIGHTS ON THE SMART SET Interesting Events and Gossip, Both at Home and Abroad, as Chronicled in the Post’s Exchanges. Her devotion to her children has won for Mrs. Walter L. Fisher, wife of the Secretary of the Interior, the title Madonna of the-month-old baby. She seldom is seen without the company of one or more of her children, and she cares absolutely nothing for society. It was with
21 May 1913 Photo of CER sitting in yard, inscribed on back: “Birthday but had whooping cough and could not have any children with me …”) photo)
28 Jan 1913 Daniel Webster Fisher, Ruth’s grandfather, died in Washington, DC, while living with her uncle Howard Lowrie Fisher (1910 Census says he was living with his son Howard Lowrie Fisher on 28 April 1910).
21 Feb 1913 Salem Leader: “Charles Edward Rhetts, little son of Dr.J. E. Rhetts, was severely burned Sunday about the face. The little fellow had a narrow escape in saving one of his eyes.” (doc)
11 Jun 1913 Salem Democrat: “Little Katherine Gray Taub Entertains: Katherine Gray Taub entertained fourteen of her playmates, last Wednesday afternoon, at a party. The little tots were lovely in their party clothes and had a good time playing from four to six. They were given small sea shore buckets, as favors, which were filled with peanuts and popcorn. Ice cream and caramel cake were served on the lawn, and just before going home, several pictures were taken of the little folks. The guests were: Mary Hobbs, Charles Edward Rhetts, Margaret Kelley, Lucy McCowen, Randolph Hagen, Pauline Hobbs, Edna Rudder, James Tucker, Nadine Smith, Marjory Jane Hall, Morris Kelley, Lewis Standish, Helen Stout, Winburn Smith, Katherine Gray Taub. (doc)
8 Oct 1913 Salem Democrat: “On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 4, at the Christian Church, occurred the wedding of Miss Ellen Neal, daughter of Mr and Mrs James Burr Neal, to Louis Hervey Williamson, of Indianapolis. … Those of the bridal party were: ushers, Misses Helen Shanks, Rowena Baner, Rudy Graves, and Frances Coombs; ring-bearer, Charles Edward Rhetts; best man, Robert Williamson, Maid-of-honor, Mary C. Mitchell.” (doc)
19 Apr 1916 Salem Democrat: “Most people may not be able to see the similarity between the handsome mugs of Dr. J.E. Rhetts and Atty. W.O. Marks, but a little tot approached Marks last week with the query “Say, are you the father of Charles Edward Rhetts?” (doc)
9 Jan 1920 Census: Washington, Washington, IN CER as living at 109 N High St, Salem, IN and attending school as of 9/1/1919. Also listed John Edward Rhetts, his father age 56 and mother Effie Maupin age 36, step-sister Edith Mae age 31. Census record indicates all could read and write. [Edward J Rhetts 56 [50]; Effie D Rhetts 36; Edith Rhetts 31; Charles E Rhetts 9] (doc)
23 Jun 1920 Salem Democrat: “Miss Edith Rhetts [age 32], accompanied by Master Charles Edward Rhetts [age 10], was in Bloomington Friday, making arrangements for her course in music at I.U. this summer.”(doc)
30 Jun 1920 Salem Democrat: “Master Charles Edward Rhetts went to Bloomington Wednesday to stay until Friday with his sister Miss Edith Rhetts, who is giving a weeks course of appreciation at the University.” (doc)
27 Jun 1921 Salem Democrat: “Charles Edward Rhetts accompanied Miss Edith Rhetts to Chicago, Saturday, where he will spend about two weeks with friends. Miss Rhetts will be doing work at the Northwestern University for about two weeks.” (doc)
28 Sep 1921 Salem Democrat: “Birthday Party: Little Miss Josephine Berkey, daughter of Mr and Mrs W. C. Berkey, was given a party Saturday afternoon at their home on East Walnut Street, in honor of her 12th birthday. About fifty of her young friends were entertained from three o’clock to five. Mrs. F.B. Neal assisted Mrs. Berkey in entertaining. Refreshments were brick ice cream and cakes. The guests were Robert and Martha Zink, Charles Edward Rhetts [age 11], Charles and Elinor McClintock ….” (doc)
31 May 1922 Salem Democrat: “Charles Edward Rhetts [age 12], young son of Dr. and Mrs. J. E. Rhetts and Cosby Whitted, son of Rev. and Mrs. C. S. Whitted while enjoying a drive Friday morning with the Shetland pony belonging to the Holloway boys had quite a “spill” from the cart in which they were riding — the accident occurring on N. Bain St. Both received quite a shock—Cosby getting some bruises and Charles Edward a badly cut knee. Several stitches had to be taken in dressing the injured knee.” (doc)
22 Dec 1922 Salem Republican Leader: “Christmas Party Grade School: A splendid program that was well organized throughout was presented the patrons of the school and other visitors at the Grade auditorium, Wednesday afternoon. It was pronounced by the large crowd attending to be the best they had ever witnessed there. The Christmas season is always one of much interest to the school children and Salem teachers have always fostered this spirit with numerous kinds of entertainments at both buildings to some of which visitors have always been invited. The various rooms at the Grade building were very beautiful decorated and four young men, Masters Robert Lee Peden, Charles Edward Rhetts [age 12], Russell Chaney and Willis Tatlock, acted as well trained ushers showing the visitors the various pretty rooms and finding them seats in the auditorium.” (doc)
1925 CER listed in Salem High School Yearbook (doc)
1927 Charles Rhetts graduated from Salem High School (Editor in Chief Lyon-3; CubStaff-2; Chairman 7th Dist. I.H.S.P.A.; Class B. B. 1-2-3; Winner County Oratorical Contest)
1928 Ruth graduated from Winsor School, Boston. She lived with her mother Mabel Taylor Fisher while Ruth’s older sister Margaret attended Harvard Architecture School.
1928-1931 Charles Edward attended Dartmouth College (A.B., graduated with Cum Laude in Economics, Phi Beta Kappa; SAE fraternity; degree granted in June in absentia)
Fall 1928 Ruth entered Stanford University in Palo Alto, CA as a freshman.
1929 CER listed in Dartmouth College Aegis Yearbook (doc)
9 Apr 1930 CER listed in 1930 Census as living at 109 N High St, Salem, IN and not attending school as of 9/1/1929. Also listed John Edward age 66 (age at 1st marriage 22), his father, and Effie Maupin, his mother age 47 (age at 1st marriage 23). There were also 3 roomers living in house — Wilhelm Lommell age 24, a telegraph operator; Alvin E. Gessell, age 25, a dentist; and Ralph Miller, age 23, a public school teacher. House at 109 N High Street valued at $6,000. Census indicated that there was a radio in the house. [J E Rhetts 66; Effie Rhetts 47; Edward Rhetts 19; William Lommell 24; Alvin E Gessell 25;Ralph Miller 23] (doc)
3 May 1930 Ruth listed in Federal Census for Winnetka, Cook, Illinois with Walter Lowrie and Mabel Fisher, parents, and brothers Arthur, and Howard T. and sister Margaret.
3 Sep 1930 Ruth arrived New York from Cherbourg with her mother Mabel
?? Ruth was a member of Pan-Am Women’s Hockey Team
29 Nov 1929 Charles Rhetts attended the 21st Interfraternity Conference in New York City representing Sigma Alpha Epsilon (was featured debater with Collier H Young, Dartmouth ’30 on topic of “The Alumnus-An Asset or aLiability”)
9 Apr 1930 Census: Charles Rhetts listed as living at 109 N High St, Salem, IN and not attending school as of 9/1/1929. Also listed John Edward age 66 (age at 1st marriage 22), his father, and Effie Maupin, his mother age 47 (age at 1st marriage 23). There were also 3 roomers living in house — Wilhelm Lommell age 24, a telegraph operator; Alvin E. Gessell, age 25, a dentist; and Ralph Miller, age 23, a public school teacher. House at 109 N High Street valued at $6,000. Census indicated that there was a radio in the house.
31 Jan 1931 CER Passport #338192 issued (109 N High St, Salem, IN) Occupation: Student/single [1 April 1931 – Visa British Consulate Detroit MI – travelling to Great Britain; 1 April 1931 – paid two pounds for Consular Service; 23 April 1931 – Immigration stamp at Southampton; 18 Jun 1931 – Transit stamp for departure at Cherbourg; 19 Jun 1931 – Visa de Transit for passage at the French border; 21 Jun1931 – Entry stamp at Swiss border; 1 Sept 1931 – Entry stamp at German border; 8 Sept 1931 – Visa at German border] (doc)
24 Apr 1931 Charles Rhetts was a member of the American Universities Debating Team that debated at Swansea University College, Swansea, Wales (Western Mail & South Wales News, April 25 1931) and other locations; other team members included Bob Howells, HC Williams, DH Thomas, M O’Connor, Nanci Llewellyn John, R Williams, and R Griffiths. (doc)
27 Jul 1931 Charles Rhetts listed on passenger list on Westernland departing Cherbourg and arriving NY; returned to US from European debating tour (doc)
1932 Ruth graduated from Stanford University with B.A. degree
14 Jan 1932 Oakland Tribune: Ruth mentioned
4 Mar 1932 Ruth entry at Port of NY sailing from Port Said, Egypt on the SS Aquitania departing on 20 Feb 1932; residence listed at 949 Fishers Lane, Winnetka, Illinois (accompanied by Walter Lowrie and Mabel Fisher, parents, and Margaret Fisher, sister)
12 May 1933 Ruth was President of the Women’s Athletic Association at Stanford University and was guest speaker at the San Mateo Junior College Women’s Athletic Association annual banquet (Source: The San Mateo Times and Daily Leader newspaper)
1934 Ruth graduated from Stanford University with M.A. degree in Political Science
1934 Ruth worked for Nevada Newspaper Syndicate covering U.S. Senator Key Pittman’s 1934 re-election campaign
1934 Charles Rhetts received LL.B., Harvard Law School; admitted to the bar in Michigan, Illinois, and D.C.
1934-35 Charles Rhetts was Counsel, National Recovery Administration (Samuel Williams was chairman; Philip Francis Maguire [b. 1905] was a lawyer at NRA and later was an anonymous asst to War Production Board boss Donald Nelson)
1935-37 Charles Rhetts at Resettlement Adminstrn. (later called Farm Security Admin; Rexford G. Tugwell, Director; Tugwell later served as Governor of Puerto Rico; Tugwell’s ideas on urban planning lead to construction of Greenbelt, Maryland in 1937, with prefabricated houses made by General Housing Inc, owned by Howard Fisher, architect)
9 Nov 1935 Walter Lowrie Fisher, father-in-law, died in Chicago, Illinois; in addition to having served as Secretary of the Interior from 1911 to 1913, Walter was the principal lawyer in the case between Norway and the U.S. Government before the Permanent Court of Arbitration in Le Hague regarding the take over of cargo ships partly constructed in U.S. shipyards under contracts to Norway. Edward B. Burling, law partner of Dean Atcheson, was the principal lawyer representing Norway and Walter Fisher was hired to handle the principal argument before the Court. On 13 October 1922 the United States was ordered to pay to Norway in settlement of claims made by Norwegian ship owners as a result of the requisition of ships under construction in US shipyards at the time of the US declaration of war against Germany in 1917
1937 Charles Rhetts traveled to Chicago to investigate Chicago labor riot and the Memorial Day Massacre of 1937 that took place during the “Little Steele Strike” which was called by the Steel Workers Organizing Committee (SWOC) of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) against Little Steel Company; met Ruth Fisher
1937-38 Charles Rhetts in private practice, Chicago at Pam & Hurd, 231 South LaSalle St. —Rhetts [1947]: “In 1937, after a little over two years of government service, I was employed by the Chicago law firm of Pam & Hurd. This firm has a large corporate practice and does an extensive financial practice. For about a year and a half I worked largely on financial matters. These ranged from the handling of more or less routine registration statements with the Securities and Exchange Commission through more complex stock issues with accompany in gregistration problems under the Securities Act of 1933 and the blue sky laws of the various states, to drafting of bond indentures and the handling of the various problems, legal and other, incident to the issuance of mortgage bonds. In this work, I was, of course a junior, usually to Mr. Andrew Dallstream.”
30 Mar 1938 Chicago Tribune: “Fisher-Rhetts Nuptial Take Place April 9: The date for the marriage of Miss Ruth Fisher and Charles Edward Rhetts, whose engagement was announced earlier this month, has been set for April 9. The wedding will take place at the home of he bride’s mother, Mrs. Walter L. Fisher, in Hubbard Woods. The ceremony, at 4o’clock in the afternoon, and the reception following are to be small, with only the families and a few intimate friends present. Miss Margaret Fisher will be her sister’s only attendant, and James Rowe of Washington, DC, will attend Mr. Rhetts. Miss Fisher’s brother and sister-in-law, Mr. and Mrs Walter T. Fisher, will give a bridal dinner on the eve of the wedding at their Hubbard Woods home. The Laird Bells will entertain next Tuesday, and Mr. and Mrs. Ernest S. Ballard, whose daughter, Miss Susan Ballard, will become the bride of Stewart Boal on April 20, will give a dinner on Thursday, April 7. Mr. Rhetts will take his bride to Mexico for a month’s honeymoon. Upon their return they will be at home at 1065 Fisher Lane, Hubbard Woods, in an apartment above the barn on Mrs. Fisher’s property.” (doc)
9 Apr 1938 Ruth Fisher and Charles Edward Rhetts married; ceremony was at 4pm at 1060 Sheridan Road, Hubbard Woods, IL, home of Ruth’s mother Mabel Taylor Fisher
Apr-May 1938 honeymoon in Acapulco, Mexico (doc)
1938-39 CER counsel, power div., Fed. Emergency Adminstrn. Public Works. — Rhetts [1947]: “In August of 1938 I was asked to return to Washington to undertake some special work on behalf of the Power Division of the FEA of Public Works. This consisted in representing PWA in connection with a re-financing program of certain public power districts in Nebraska that were proposing to issue through New York investment bankers additional bonds (up to approximately $90 millions) for the purchase of the privately owned power companies in Nebraska.This work involved extensive negotiations with the power districts and their bankers and their bankers’ lawyers, the drafting of complex indentures designed to control the relationship between the proposed new bonds and the bonds already held by PWA, as well as to establish their respective claims on the revenues of the issuer.”
1939 CER listed in Official Register of the U.S., p143, 268. (doc)
1 Jan 1939 Through 1941: CER asso. solicitor, U.S. Dept. Labor (Gerard Reilly was Solicitor; Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor; Francis Biddle was Chairman of NLRB, 1934 to 1939) — Rhetts [1947]: “Although I had intended to return to private practice upon the completion of the [PWA] project (which was suddenly frustrated one day before the closing date) I did not do so and on Jan 1 1939 became Associate Solicitor of Labor. In the Labor Dept. my work was of a varied character. The then Solicitor of Labor, Mr. Gerard D. Reilly, and I worked very closely together and our work consisted partly of non-legal policy matters — advice to the Secretary of Labor on a variety of problems — and partly the formulation of legal policy in such matters as the drafting of legislation, executive orders, the analysis and formulation of Departmental policy on pending legislation and the presentation of Departmental views before the various committees of Congress. As an example of this latter I recall the extensive testimony that I gave before the Senate Judiciary Committee on the then pending Administrative Law Bills which, as you will recall, were quite complex and which vitally affected the operations of the Dept. These bills ultimately evolved into the Administrative Procedure Act of 1946. During the first part of my service in the Dept of Labor, the Immigration and Naturalization Service was a part of the Dept. and a considerable portion of my time, both in office work and in litigation, was devoted to legal problems involving this Service. One case of considerable importance at the time was Bata Shoe Company v. Perkins, 33 F. Supp. 508 (DCDC 1940) in which I represented the Secretary of Labor in the litigation brought by the Bata Company. We won the case in the District Court and it was not appealed. During a period of many months I was engaged almost exclusively in litigation brought by a number of steel companies to enjoin the enforcement of certain wage determinations made under the Walsh Healy Act (the so-called Public Contracts Act). I was in charge of this litigation for the Dept., prepared the various pleadings, motions, and briefs in the lower courts, argued the case in the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia, and wrote a large portion of the brief in the Supreme Court where the case was argued and won for the government by the Solicitor General. Lukens Steele Co. et al v. Perkins, 310 U.S.113. (My name does not appear of counsel in the reports of the case in the Supreme Court as I was not a member of the bar of that Court, although my junior on the case was). During the latter part of my two and one-half years in the Dept. the Solicitor’s office assumed the work formerly carried on by the General Counsel of the Wage and Hours Administration and the legal problems and litigation arising under the Fair Labor Standards Act thereafter occupied much of my time.”
9 Jan 1939 Passport issued to Ruth Fisher; occupation listed as housewife, Chicago, Illinois (no entries in passport)
21 Feb 1939 Ruth entry at Port of NY sailing from Port of Spain, Trinidad on the SS Uruguay departing on 16 Feb 1939; residence listed at 164135th St, Washington, DC
23 Mar 1939 CER and RF lived at 1641 35th St NW, Washington DC (according to 76th Congressional Directory)
1940 Federal Census 1641 35th St, NW, Washington, DC lists CER 29 College 7yrs, lived in DC in Apr 1935; and Ruth 29 College 5 yrs, lived in Palo Alto, CA in Apr 1935. (doc)
1940 CER and RF bought farm at 346 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, Virginia
1940 CER listed in Official Register of the U.S., p157, 262. (doc)
1940-41 CER: Spec. Counsel, Advisory Committee, Council of National Defense (James H. Rowe was Assistant to Attorney General Francis Biddle in 1941; his area of responsibility included Congressional affairs, talent hunting and patronage matters)
17 Apr 1940 Mary Edith Fisher, Ruth’s aunt, died in Lewiston, Androscoggin, Maine
1941 CER listed in Official Register of the U.S., p170, 287. (doc)
Aug 1941-42 CER: exec. asst., dir. of materials, Requirements Division,War Production Bd. (William Loren “Bill” Batt, native of Salem, Indiana, Vice Chairman International Supply (b. 1916, SKF and American Bosch; ran for Congress, 16th District PA, in 1946), Donald Nelson Chairman (Sears Roebuck))—Rhetts [1947]: “In August of 1941 I left theDept of Labor to become Executive Assistant to. Mr W. L. Batt, who was Director of Materials in the War Production Board and later Chairman of the Requirements Committee. Here my work consisted in rendering general assistance to Mr Batt on all kinds of substantive problems involved in the development of adequate supplies of, and production facilities for, materials required in the prosecution of the war program, as well as handling most of the administrative problems incident to the supervision of an organization of more than one thousand employees. In the fall of 1941 Mr Batt was a member of the first U.S.-U.K. mission to Russia (the Beaverbrook-Harriman Mission) and in consequence I became deeply involved in foreign supply problems and especially Russian supply problems. I represented the United States in the negotiations with the Russian representatives for the so-called Second Russian Protocol (the agreement governing in great detail the various items and quantities of materials which this Government supplied to the Soviet Union). My responsibility did not include finished munitions or war but covered everything else — from power plants, aluminum rolling mills and complete tire factories to thousands of tons of steel, aluminum, chemicals and other raw materials and finished manufactured products. These negotiations—in which I had not one opposite number but all seven members of the Soviet Supply Mission—were of a very difficult character and extended over several months. Because of their complexity and range and outcome, I mention them in particular here as part of my experiences in which I take more than ordinary satisfaction. Later I was made Director of the Foreign Division of the War Production Board which was established to handle all foreign supply matters.” Note: In 1941, Lord Beaverbrook headed the British delegation to Moscow with American counterpart Averell Harriman, special envoy to Europe and coordinator of the Lend-Lease program. This made Beaverbrook the first senior British politician to meet Soviet leader Joseph Stalin since Hitler's invasion of the Soviet Union. Much impressed by Stalin and the sacrifice of the Soviet people, he returned to London determined to persuade Churchill to launch a second front in Europe to help draw German resources away from the Eastern Front to aid the Soviets. Churchill was not to be persuaded and this led Beaverbrook to resign as Minister of War Production in 1942.
1942 CER: dir. foreign div., War Production Bd.
1942-44 CER: spl. asst. to atty. gen., U.S. Dept. Justice (coordinating litigation involving internal security) (Francis Biddle was Attorney General 26 Aug 1941 to 26 Jun 1945)
16 Jan 1942 War Production Board established (General William “Wild Bill” Donovan, director; Fisher Howe served as Donovan’s special assistant; Joseph L Weiner [b. 1902] was Deputy Director of civilian supply; Julius Albert Krug [b. 1908], director of WPB power section and in 1942 was director of the raw materials allocation section [Purp”])
8 Jul 1942 Son John Edward Rhetts born in Washington, DC
10 Aug 1942 TIME MAGAZINE: “ROLL OF HONOR—C. Edward Rhetts, 32, is a lanky Indiana youngster who went to Washington from Harvard law school, is now executive assistant to WPB's Bill Batt. Ed Rhetts has never yet made the headlines -- but if Russian soldiers knew his name, they would give him prayerful thanks every day. His job is to get WPB's Lend-Lease aid on to Russia-bound ships; Russians who come to the U.S. to get non-military help such as locomotives and machine tools knock first on Harry Hopkins' door, then wind up talking to Rhetts. He wangles the goods off U.S. production lines, fights the Army to get clearance, gets the goods to the docks. In a city noted for men afraid to run with the ball unless they have a legal release from the White House, Ed Rhetts has been a notable and youthful exception. There were many other names on Washington's wartime roll of honor. Many of them were career men, to whom war came as the logical great opportunity of public service. Others were business and professional men whom war had yanked up by the roots, transplanted to strange new soil. Each in his own way has worked long and diligently to bring victory closer.” (doc)
1943 CER: Office of Foreign Economic Coordination, US Dept of State (Henry Richardson Labouisse, Director)
1944 CER: Served as lt. (j.g.) USNR —Rhetts [1947]: After a period of service in the Navy assigned to the Office of Strategic Services, the Attorney General obtained my release for service as First Assistant in the War Division of the Dept of Justice in late 1944, and from September 1945 until its dissolution in early 1946 I was head of that Division.” [U.S. Military Register, LtJG-D Navy; doc]
1944-46 CER: 1st asst. War Div., U.S. Dept. Justice (The United States Department of Justice War Division was a subdivision of the DoJ created on May 19, 1942, with the purpose of congregating a number of war-related activities spread across the Department during that period. It consisted initially of the Special War Policies Unit, an Alien Property Unit, an Alien Enemy Control Unit and later included the War Frauds Unit, which originated as the Economic Section of the Antitrust Division. The War Division was abolished on December 28, 1945.) (Tom Clark, Attorney General, 27 Jun 1945 to 26 Jul 1949) —Rhetts {1947]: “As First Assistant and later head of the War Division, I was responsible for the supervision of a staff of over 100 lawyers and an equivalent number of non-professional employees. The War Division, as its name implies, dealt with problems and functions primarily arising out of the war. We represented the Alien Property Custodian in all litigations arising from his activities. This involved some 1600 lawsuits of all kinds in State and Federal courts. We administered the Foreign Agents Registration Act. We had charge of the alien Enemy Control program throughout the country. This latter involved the establishment of local hearing boards, the determination of the policies to be pursued in the apprehension, detention and release of alien enemies, as well as a very considerable volume of litigation brought by alien enemies seeking release from detention. After the cessation of hostilities I also acted as Chairman of a Departmental Board of three which granted hearings to several hundred remaining German alien enemies who, because of their adherence to the Nazi government, were proposed to be repatriated to Germany. The War Division also represented the War Department in all litigation arising out of the impact of military law on the civilian populations. Examples of this type of litigation were cases arising from the exclusion of persons of Japanese descent from the West Coast area and the Hawaaian martial law cases in the Supreme Court. Although during this period my position was such that I could not personally carry on any single piece of litigation, I did manage to handle personally some appellate work. One such case was United States v. Steam Vessel Antoinetta, et. al. 153 F. (2nd) 138, cert. den. 388 U.S. 863, 864,which involved the Alien Property Custodian’s claim to some 27 Italian ships which were sabotaged in various U.S. ports during 1940. I argued and won these cases in the Circuit Court of Appeals for the Third District. Early in 1946 we dissolved the War Division and redistributed its remaining functions among the other Divisions of the Department. At the request of Attorney General Clark I went to Germany and established offices and an organization of lawyers, translators, investigators, etc. in Berlin and Frankfort to handle the collection of evidence in Europe and the preparation for trial of a number of important cases pending in the courts of this country. Upon my return to this country in the summer of 1946 I resigned from the Department of Justice and entered private practice here in Washington.”
1944 CER: Dept of Justice Speclal Asst to Attorney General ID
4 Mar 1944 CER: Date of Precedence, US Navy (doc)
23 Mar 1944 CER: Pay Entry Base, US Navy (doc)
13 Jun 1944 CER: Military Permit of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Enter Germany for Justice Dept business: US Special Employee/Govt Official Passport/Special Passport #38475 issued (RFD #1, Falls Church, VA) Occupation: Government Employee Proceeding Abroad on Official Business: 13 Jun 1944 to 19 Oct 1946 — Military Entry Permit #478 Germany; 13 June 1944 to 13 Dec 1944 – India, Ceylon, and China–Official Business; Egypt, Iraq, Iran and other necessary countries en route; 24 Feb 1945 to 24 Feb 1946 – Mexico – Official Business; 24 Feb 1945 – Visa #476 Mexico; [8 May 1945 – V.E. Day]; 7 Jan 1946 to 13 June 1946 – Continent of Europe and British Isles and Necessary countries en route – Dept of Justice; 8 Jan 1946 – Visa #245 United Kingdom in transit to Germany; 8 Jan 1946 – Visa #38 France; 8 Jan 1946 – Visa #15 Sweden; 9 Jan 1946 – Military Permit #11867–to accompany Joint Chiefs of Staff to Germany; 9 Jan 1946 – Visa #284 Netherlands; 9 Jan 1946 – Visa #1269 Switzerland; 9 Jan 1946 – Visa #133 Italy; 24 Mar 1946 Departure Paris Orly; 26 March 1946 Immigration Arrival National Airport, Washington DC; [26 Mar 1946 —Paul born]; 17 April 1946 to 17 April 1947 #2936 Dept of State; 17 Apr 1946 to 17 April 1947 — Continent of Europe and British Isles and Necessary countries en route; 18 April 1946 Transit Visa United Kingdom #2745 for transit to Europe; 18 April 1946 Visa #2259 Switzerland
1945 CER: acting asst. atty. gen., U.S. Dept. Justice (In 1945 James Rowe was technical advisor to the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg; Francis Biddle was the primary judge at Nuremberg)
16 Feb 1945 CER listed on Draft Registration Card for John Lee Tippett, an employee of Southern Railway, located at 1710 N St NW, Washington, DC as “someone who will always know Tippett’s address.”(doc)
3 Nov 1945 War Production Board abolished
20 Nov 1945 Nuremburg Trials begin
1946 CER: dir. U.S. Dept. of Justice Mission in Europe
1946 CER: Dept of Justice Claim Division ID
1946 CER: dir. U.S. Dept. of Justice Mission in Europe
1946-56 CER: gen. practice law, Washington; Reilly, Rhetts & Ruckleshaus—Rhetts [1947]: “My practice for the last year has been varied though largely involving matters of federal regulation or other governmental matters. I have handled some matters before the Civil Aeronautics Board; I have represented the SKF Industries of Sweden in a matter involving their German properties. I also represent the Bofors firm of Sweden in a matter arising out of contracts entered into between that company and the United States Navy Department in 1941 under which this Government acquired certain rights to manufacture and use Bofors guns during the war. This is a rather complex matter involving the Navy, War, State and Justice Departments.”
24 Mar 1946 CER arrived at Washington, DC (doc)
26 Mar 1946 Son Paul Fisher Rhetts, son, born in Washington, DC; married (1) JoAnn Rhodes on 26 Aug 1967 at Watsontown, Northumberland, PA and (2) Barbara Jane Awalt on 13 Mar 1982 at Columbia, Howard, MD
27 Mar 1946 CER: Employed in the Claims Division of the Dept of Justice (ID#A-5840
19 Apr 1946 CER: Until Jun 19, 1946: Joint Chiefs of Staff Military Permit # 12812 for Germany – Official Business For Dept of Justice: 20 May 1946 Immigration Arrival London; 23 May 1946 American Embassy London Permit to travel to France, Italy and Spain; 23 May 1946 Visa #84 Portugal; 11 June 1946 $150 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland; 11 June 1946 $50 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland; 11 June 1946 $100 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland; 13 June 1946 Visa #771 France (doc)
16 May 1946 CER: listed in U.S. Subject Index to Correspondence and Case Files of the Immigration and Naturalization Services, INS#56241/248 re France Free French Legation & Embassy of Greece, Roll#15. (doc)
6 Jun 1946 Harlingen (TX) Valley Morning Star: “Evidence Justifies Seizing German Assets In America: Berlin (UP) American investigators combing the ruins of Germany have obtained evidence justifying seizure of hidden Nazi assets in the United States, some of the cases involving ’several hundred million dollars,’ it was announced Wednesday. Assistant US Solicitor General Harold Judson and eight other lawyer-sleuths have searched all four zones of occupied Germany for records to defend the Government’s case against American and neutral claimants to the funds. Their job is to prove that the money and property was still under German control when confiscated by the alien property custodian. No details of the evidence were announced but Judson said much time had been spent on cases involving certain Standard Oil Co. holdings which were seized as being controlled by the huge I.G. Farben trust. Judson is a former Los Angeles attorney who handled the Government’s case in the supreme court appeal of Lieut. Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, conqueror of Singapore, Bataan and Corregidor who was hanged as a war criminal. Charles Edward Rhetts of Washington and his legal team have been working on the cases for four months. Rhetts said, and immediately granted every application for permission to search for information in the Russian zone, his investigators dug out documents showing that the German patent companies in some cases kept in close contact with the American and neutral assignees, which he said was “just as damaging evidence” as though the transfer had not been made. Judson’s agents, however, will be able to bring good news to some Germans. His investigators are busy locating German heirs to more than 200 estates left to them by persons who died in the United States during the war. The estates have been held by the alien property custodian.” (doc)
7 Jun 1946 San Bernardino (CA) County Sun: “Evidence Found Of Hidden Nazi Assets In US: American investigators combing the ruins of Germany have obtained evidence justifying seizure of hidden Nazi assets in the United States, some of the cases involving ’several hundred million dollars,’ it was announced Wednesday. Assistant US Solicitor General Harold Judson and eight other lawyer-sleuths have searched all four zones of occupied Germany for records to defend the Government’s case against American and neutral claimants to the funds. Their job is to prove that the money and property was still under German control when confiscated by the alien property custodian. No details of the evidence were announced but Judson said much time had been spent on cases involving certain Standard Oil Co. holdings which were seized as being controlled by the huge I.G. Farben trust. Judson is a former Los Angeles attorney who handled the Government’s case in the supreme court appeal of Lieut, Gen. Tomoyuki Yamashita, conqueror of Singapore, Bataan and Corregidor who was hanged as a war criminal. Charles Edward Rhetts of Washington and his legal team have been working on the cases for four months. Rhetts said the Germans were“very clever” in their efforts to conceal their holdings in the United States by transferring property to American citizens or neutrals. Russian occupation authorities gave “excellent cooperation” Rhetts said, and immediately granted every application for permission to search for information in the Russian zone. Rhetts said investigators dug out documents showing that the German parent companies in some cases kept in close contact with the American and neutral assignees, which he said was “just as damaging evidence” as though the transfer had not been made. Judson’s agents, however, will be able to bring good news to some Germans. His investigators are busy locating German heirs to more than 200 estates left to them by persons who died in the United States during the war. The estates have been held by the alien property custodian. (doc)
18 Jun 1946 CER arrived on TWA to NY from Gander (doc); 2nd document same date: CER arrived NYC from Athens Greece and lists his residence as Falls Church, VA (doc)
8 Jul 1946 Howard Lowrie Fisher, Ruth’s uncle, died in Arlington, Virginia
1 Oct 1946 Nuremberg Trials end
1947 CER in uniform (O-2 rank: single bar pin on lapel and shoulder board with one star and two stripes (one thin and one broader) holding son Paul (photo)
16 Feb 1948 Colonial Hardwood Flooring Co v. International Union United Furniture Workers of America et al. Civ. No. 3804 (76 F Supp.493), District Court, District of Maryland. Gerard Reilly and Charles Rhetts for defendants. Motion to dismiss Union from the case was overruled.
1949 CER: listed in Indianapolis City Directory under Ruckleshaus, Reilly& Rhetts (doc)
8 May 1950 Dau Abigail Victoria Ruth Rhetts born in Washington, DC
9 Sep 1951 CER arrived in Boston on SS Nova Scotia from Halifax with RFR (doc)
13 Dec 1951 CER: listed on Associated Press Name Card Index to AP Stories (doc)
7 Jan 1952 CER: US Passport #538736 issued (Office=1401 K St NW, DC; Home= 346 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA) Occupation lawyer [28 Jan1952 – Passport Control entry stamp Rhein-Main-Flughafen; 11 Jun 1952– Sweden entry stamp; 17 Jun 1952 – Swedish Bank stamp 150 Pounds; 18 Jun 1952 — Sweden exit stamp; 18 Jun 1952 — Immigration London Airport; 26 Jun 1952 – Exit stamp Prestwick England; 30 Sept 1952 –Entry stamp Monte Chiasso; 3 Oct 1952 – Exit stamp Sweden; 10 Oct 1952– Entry stamp Sweden; 13 Oct 1952 – Exit stamp Sweden; 13 Oct 1952 –Entry stamp London Airport; 17 Oct 1952 – Purchase Tax, London; 19 Oct 1952 — Entry stamp London Airport; 17 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport; 21 Jan 1953 — Entry stamp London Airport; 21 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Bromma; 28 Jan 1953 – Exit stamp Bromma; 28 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Germany; 29 Jan 1953 – Passport control stamp Germany; 18 Sept 1953 – Swedish Bank Stamp 100 Pounds; 20 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp Germany; 24 Sept 1953 – Passport Control stamp Germany; 28 Sep 1953 –Austria entry stamp; 29 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Northolt; 4 Feb 1953 –Entry stamp London Airport; 25 Jul 1953 – Entry Barajas; 1 Oct 1953 –entry stamp Zurich-Flugplatz; 6 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport; 12 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport; 14 Sept 1953 –Entry Gotenborg; 20 Sept 1953 — Exit Bromma; 22 Sept 1953 – Entry permit Berlin; 24 Sept 1953 — Exit stamp Austria; 29 Sept 1953 – exit stamp Brenner-Strasse; 3 Oct 1953 – Exit London; 23 Oct 1953 – Entry London Airport] [19 May 1955 – Passport Renewal; 18 Jun 1955 – Entry Bromma; 24 Jun 1955 – Exit stamp Malmo-B; 24 Jun 1955 – Entry Kabehaven; 25 Jun 1955 – Exit Kestrap; 5 Jul 1955 – Exit London Airport; 27 Jul 1955 – Entry London Airport; 25 Jun 1955 – Entry London Airport; 27 Jul 1955 – Exit Barajas; 22 Aug 1955 — Exit London Airport; 23 Aug 1955 – Entry NY USA] (doc)
7 Apr 1952 Camp v. Herzog et al, CER for plaintiff, DC District Court (NLRB case 104 F Supp 134)
26 Jun 1952 CER arrived in NY from Prestwick, Scotland on SAS (doc)
3 Oct 1952 CER arrived on PanAm in NY from London (doc)
19 Oct 1952 CER arrived on PanAm in NY from London (doc)
20 Oct 1952 CER arrived on PanAm in NY from London (doc)
1953 CER: Through 28 Jul 1955: Service v. Dulles, et al. (DC DC, CA #4967-52.); CER for plaintiff before U.S. Supreme Court against Loyalty Review Bd., Civil Service Comm., and Secy. of State; Joseph Rauh also served as counsel to Service
1953 CER: Through 12 Jul 1957: Aktiebolaget Bofors v. United States No. 206-53.153 F. Supp. 397; CER for plaintiff before U.S. Court of Claims
5 Feb 1953 CER arrived on BOA to NY from London (doc)
18 Aug 1953 Mabel Taylor Fisher, mother-in-law, died in Winnetka, IL; cremated and kept in Margaret Fisher’s home in Chicago, IL, then moved to family plot at Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery in 1990 (Death Register-doc) (Find a Grave)
4 Oct 1953 CER arrived on PanAm in NY from London (doc)
1954 CER and RF purchased 2620 Foxhall Rd, Washington, DC from Senator Key Pitman’s widow for $94,000
3 Jul 1954 Frederick Bourne Taylor Fisher, Ruth’s brother, died in New Canaan, Fairfield, Connecticut
1955 Washington Star: Photo of CER at Uline Arena, Washington, DC (doc)
1955 CER: listed in Indianapolis City Directory under Ruckleshaus, Reilly & Rhetts (doc)
22 Aug 1955 CER arrived on PanAm in NY from London (doc)
1956 CER: listed in Indianapolis City Directory under Ruckleshaus, Reilly & Rhetts (doc)
1956 CER and RF moved to 303 East Walnut Street, Salem, Indiana (served as Salem City attorney, and later Washington County Attorney)
1956-60 CER: Gen. practice law, Salem, Ind
Apr 1957 CER: US Passport #452250 issued [3 Jul 1957 – Entry London; 4 Aug 1957 – Exit London; 7 Aug 1957 – Exit Malmo; 7 Aug 1957 – Entry London; 10 Aug 1957 – Exit London; 11 Aug 1957 – Entry Detriot, MI; 14 Aug 1958 – Entry Orly; 16 Aug 1958 – Exit Orly; 23 Aug 1958 – Exit Bromma; 24 Aug 1958 – Enter Zurich; 25 Aug 1958 – Exit Zurich; 25 Aug 1958 – Enter London; 28 Aug 1958 – Exit London; 29 Aug 1958 – Entry NY; 20 Sept 1958 – Enter Orly; 20 Sept 1958 – Enter Lisboa; 20 Sept 1958 – Exit Lisboa; 24 Sept 1958 – Entry Zurich; 24 Sept 1958 – Exit Bromma; 2 Oct 1958 – Enter Malpensa; 5 Oct 1958 – Enter Suisse; 12 Oct 1958 – Exit London; 13 Oct 1958 – Entry NY; 16 Oct 1958 – Entry Geneve, Suisse; 10 Jan 1961 – Passport renewal] (doc)
15 Apr 1957 Ruth Passport issued; occupation listed as housewife residing at 303 E Walnut St, Salem, Indiana
3 Jul 1957 Ruth Entry at London Airport
10 Aug 1957 Ruth Embarked from London Airport
11 Aug 1957 Ruth Entry at Detroit, Michigan
1958 CER ran for Congress, Ninth District, Indiana; lost to incumbent Earl Wilson (1941-59, 61-65)
24 Feb 1958 Ad: Rhetts Is Candidate For Ninth District Congressman In Democratic Primary: Edward Rhetts, attorney for the City of Salem and county attorney of Washington County has officially announced his candidacy for the nomination for Ninth District Congressman in the Democratic Primary on May 6. He is endorsed by the Washington County Democratic Central Committee. Rhetts has been an active Democrat for 25 years and has had over 12 years in the service of the federal government, holding high legal and administrative posts in eight important Federal departments and agencies during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Rhetts resigned from the government service 12 years ago to return to the general practice of law in Washington D.C. and in IN. For 10 years he practiced before the Federal District and Circuit Courts of Appeals and in the United States Supreme Court. Since 1956, he has practiced in his home town of Salem. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. J.E. Rhetts, Salem, and was born in Columbus IN on May 21, 1910, where his father was then practicing dentistry. Shortly after Rhetts’ birth, the Rhetts family returned to their home in Salem, where he grew up and attended the public grade and high schools. Upon graduation from Salem High School, Rhetts received a scholarship to Dartmouth College where he was graduated with honors in 1931. He attended the Harvard Law School and graduated in 1934. Rhetts supplemented scholarship aid with work in restaurants in order to finance his education. In the fall of 1956, Rhetts served as the personal advance representative for the Democratic Presidential nominee in IN and Kentucky. Rhetts married the former Ruth Fisher, in 1938, whose grandfather, Dr. Daniel Webster Fisher, was president of Hanover College at Hanover IN for 29 years. They have two sons, John, 16, and Paul, 12 years old and an eight-years-old daughter, Abigail. Rhetts is a member of the Bar Associations of Orange-Washington counties, IN, INpolis, District of Columbia, and American Bar Associations. He is also a member of the Rotary and Elks Clubs. Rhetts is Judge Advocate of the Cecil Grimes Post, American Legion, and is a member of the official board of the Weir Memorial Methodist Church of Salem.” (doc)
27 Feb 1958 Pd. Pol. Adv. Brown County (Nashville, IN) Democrat: “Rhetts Files for Congress: Edward Rhetts, Salem City Attorney and County Attorney of Washington County has officially announced his candidacy for the nomination for 9th District Congressman in the Democratic Primary on May 6th. He is endorsed by the Washington County Democratic Central Committee. Ed Rhetts has been an active Democrat for 25 years. He has had over 12 years in the service of the federal government, holding high legal and administrative posts in eight important federal departments and agencies during the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Rhetts resigned from the government service 12 years ago to return to the general practice of law in Washington D.C. and in IN and for 10 years practiced before the Federal District and Circuit Courts of Appeals and in the United States Supreme Court. Since 1956 he has practiced in his home town of Salem. Ed Rhetts is the son of Dr. and Mrs. J.E. Rhetts of Salem. He was born in Columbus IN on May 21, 1910, where his father was then practicing dentistry. A short time after Ed’s birth, the Rhetts family returned to their home in Salem where Ed grew up and attended the public grade and high schools. Upon graduation from Salem High School, Ed received a scholarship to Dartmouth College from which he was graduated with honors in 1931. After college, he attended the Harvard Law School from which he was graduated in 1934. In both college and law school Rhetts supplemented scholarship aid with work in restaurants in order to finance his education. In the fall of 1956, Rhetts served as the personal advance representative for the Democratic Presidential nominee in IN and Kentucky. In 1938 Rhetts married Ruth Fisher whose grandfather, Dr. Daniel Webster Fisher, was president of Hanover College at Hanover IN for 29 years. They have two sons, John, 16, and Paul, 12 years old and a daughter, Abigail, 8 years old. Rhetts is a member of the Orange-Washington County, IN, INpolis, District of Columbia and American Bar Associations and of the Rotary and Elks Clubs. He is Judge Advocate of the Cecil Grimes Post of the American Legion and is a member of the Official Board of the Weir Memorial Methodist Church of Salem.” (doc)
20 Sep 1958 Ruth Entry at Lisboa Auerporto
20 Sep 1958 Ruth Exit at Lisboa Aueroporto
20 Sep 1958 Ruth Arrive at RG Orly, France
21 Sep 1958 Ruth Exit RG Orly, France
24 Sep 1958 Ruth Exit at Zurich Flughafen, Airport, Zurich Switerland
24 Sep 1958 Ruth Exit at Bromma, Stockholm, Sweden
2 Oct 1958 Ruth Entry at Flughafen Airport, Zurich Switerland
5 Oct 1958 Ruth Exit at Suisse, Brigue-Gare
5 Oct 1958 Ruth Enter at Ferrovia, Italy
9 Oct 1958 Ruth Enter at London Airport
12 Oct 1958 Ruth Embark from London airport
11 Apr 1959 Laurel (MS) Leader-Call: “Really Opposed to Senator Humphrey: Montgomery, Ala (AP) — Mrs Betty Frink, Alabama’s secretary of state, declares that the possible election of Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn) as president would “set civilization back a thousand years in the South.” Mrs. Frink replied to a letter from a Washington attorney, Charles Edward Rhetts, who said he is trying to get Humphrey to seek the Democratic nomination. “I hope Mr. Humphrey will never become the Democratic candidate, or anyone with the views of Mr. Humphrey toward the South,” said Mrs. Frink in her reply to Rhetts.” (doc)
16 Apr 1959 Laurel (MS) Leader-Call: “Jackson, Miss. (AP)— Atty Gen. Joe Patterson said he has rejected a feeler by a Washington DC lawyer seeking support for Sen. Hubert Humphrey (D-Minn) as a presidential candidate next year. Patterson said yesterday the letter came from Charles Edward Rhetts. The attorney general replied to Rhetts that he preferred to be classified as a conservative rather than a self-styled liberal and couldn’t become enthusiastic over Humphrey.” (doc)
29 Jun 1959 Effie Maupin Rhetts, mother, died at Norton Infirmary, Louisville, KY [KY Death Index; KY Certificate of Death #59-14796](doc); buried at Crown Hill Cemetery, Salem, Washington, IN, 1st Addn, Sec B, Lot 175, Row 8. (doc) Grave (photo) {Effie was listed as a member of Weir Memorial Methodist Church, Business and Professional Women, rented a number of apartments. Her funeral was at Dawalt Chapel, with Rev. James Hogue of Presbyterian Church officiating.](doc)
1960-62 CER: gen. practice law, Washington (James Rowe [graduated from Harvard Law in either 1933 or 1934 and served as Assistant Attorney General during WWII]) was manager of the 1960 Lyndon Johnson campaign for President; Ed Rhetts was an advisor to the campaign; after the West Virginia primary, Rhetts and Rowe switched their efforts in support of John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson ticket)
12 Nov 1960 Arthur Fisher, Ruth’s brother, died in Washington DC
10 Jan 1961 Ruth Passport renewed
20 Jan 1961 CER: served as director of transportation for the 1961 Inaugural for John F Kennedy; it snowed 8” and temperatures of 20° on the evening before and caused huge problems for the parade and gala balls as well as the President’s speech on the steps of the Capitol.
25 Apr 1961 Wilmurt B. Linker, Appellant v. Charles Edward Rhetts, Appellee, No. 16103, US. Court of Appeals, District of Columbia Circuit; Warner Garner for appellee. Suit to recover a portion of Bofors fee paid to Rhetts. Rhetts collected $4M for Bofors from other litigation. Affirmed that Appellant had not right to share of fee received by Rhetts.
8 Aug 1961 CER: US Passport #B448881 Issued (2620 Foxhall Rd NW, DC) [26Aug 1961 – Arrive Washington DC; 4 Sep 1961 – Arrive London; 6 Oct1961 – Arrive London; 15 Oct 1961 – Arrive NY; 13 May 1965 – Arrive London; 15 Aug 1965 – Depart London; 15 Aug 1965 – Arrive Geneve; 10 Nov 1965 – Arrive Columbia; 10 Nov 1965 – Arrive Bogota; 22 Nov 1965 –Leave Bogota] (doc)
20 Jun 1962 Associated Press Card Index (#83.13-103) on CER (doc)
2 Jul 1962 CER: confirmed by US Senate for appointment as Ambassador to Liberia
2 Jul 1962 Charleston Daily Mail: “Nominees Get Senate Okay – The Senate, by unanimous voice vote, has approved the nomination of William H. Orrick, Jr., of California, to be deputy under secretary of state. Also by voice vote yesterday, it confirmed the following: Charles Edward Rhetts, of IN, to be ambassador to Liberia.” (doc)
5 Jul 1962 CER: appointment as Ambassador
10 Jul 1962 CER: US Diplomatic Passport # X008851 issued (2620 Foxhall RdNW, DC) Occupation: Ambassador to Liberia [12 Jul 1962 – Visa Liberia; 12 Jul 1962 – Visa Sierra Leone; 13 Jul 1962 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire; 17 Jul 1962 – Arrive London; 20 Jul 1962 – Leave London; 21 Jul 1962 –Arrive Dakar; 27 Jul 1962 – Arrive Lungi; 28 Jul 1962 – Leave Lungi; 30 Jul 1962 – Visa Republic de Guinee; 1 Oct 1962 – Arrive Cote d’Ivoire; 4 Oct 1962 – Multiple Visa Liberia for 4 Oct 1962 to 4 Oct 1963; 7 Oct 1962 – Visa for Mali; 11 Oct 1962 – Visa Senegal; 9 May 1963 – depart for USA; 15 May 1963 – Entry NY; 7 Jun 1963 – Passport Office Washington; 10 Sep 1963 – Arrive Nigeria; 11 Sep 1963 – Arrival Monrovia; 16 Sep 1963 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire; 16 Sep 1963 – Multiple Visa for Liberia 16 Sep 1963 to 16 Sep 1964; 22 Sep 1963 – Depart Nigeria; 23 Sep 1963 – Arrive London; 1 Oct 1963 – Arrive London; 1 Oct 1963 – Arrive Geneve, Suisse; 26 Feb 1964 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire; 26 Feb 1964 – Depart for Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire; 4 Mar 1964 – Depart Liberia for Bamako Mali; 8 Mar 1964 – Arrive Bamako Mali; 13 Mar 1964– Depart Bamako Mali; 1 Apr 1964 – Depart Liberia for Ghana; 4 Jun 1964 – Depart Liberia for USA; 12 Jun 1964 – Enter NY; 22 Jun 1964 –Passport Office Washington DC; 3 Aug 1964 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire; 3 Aug 1964 – Depart Liberia for Abidjan; 9 Aug 1964 – Depart Liberia for Abidjan; 20 Sep 1964 – Arrive Johannesburg South Africa; 28 Sep 1964 –Visa at British Embassy Monrovia for trip to Kenya; 28 Sep 1964 –Depart Liberia for USA; 1 Oct 1964 – Arrive Geneve; 7 Oct 1964 –Permit to travel to Uganda; 12 Oct 1964 – Passport Control Nairobi Kenya; 18 Oct 1964 – Arrive London; 27 Oct 1964 – Depart London] (doc)
13 Jul 1962 CER meet with President JF Kennedy in the Oval Office at 12.42pm (3 photos taken at the event)
30 Jul 1962 U.S. State Dept. Bulletin Index, Vol. XLVII, No. 1205 lists CER. (doc)
7 Aug 1962 CER: presented credentials in Monrovia
24 Aug 1962 Kittanning (PA) Leader-Times: “Inside Washington by Henry Cathcart: This November’s elections will be of more than usual importance because of their bearing on the 1964 presidential race. …JUST REWARD: Charles Edward Rhetts, Washington attorney, recently was named U.S. ambassador to Liberia. He was quite proud of the appointment and took pleasure in reading a number of congratulatory letters he received. One has him a bit puzzled, however. A kindly old lady who knew him and his family, wrote: “I have read about your appointment as ambassador to Siberia. And I’m sure you deserve it.”(doc)
Oct 1962 Culman Times Democrat: “Forgetful Relatives- Despite the strong ties of heritage binding the two countries, the United States has “acted possibly like a forgetful relative” toward Liberia in the past. According to U.S. Ambassador Charles Edward Rhetts.” (doc)
1962-64 CER: U.S. Ambassador to Liberia
1963 LL.D., Honorary degree bestowed by Cuttington College (Liberia)
Jul 1963 100th birthday party in Monrovia for Dr. John Edward Rhetts, Ed’s father.
30 Sep 1964 CER: termination of mission to Liberia
25 Nov 1964 Dubuque (IA) Telegraph-Herald: “President Johnson picked new ambassadors to Laos and Liberia…” (doc)
1964-71 CER: gen. practice law, Washington
15 Mar 1965 Edith Mae Rhetts Tilton, CER’s half-sister, died in Detroit, Michigan
24 May 1966 CER: US Passport #G574363 Issued (4816 Dexter Terrace NW, DC)[20 Jan 1967 – Visa for travel to Liberia; Courtesy granted on instructions, verbal, from Ambassador Peal; 27 Sep 1967 – Arrive Southampton; 6 Oct 1967 – Arrive NY; 9 Oct 1967 – Depart London; 31 Dec 1967 – Arrive Liberia; 11 Jan 1968 – Visa for Cote d’Ivoire; 13 Jan 1968 – Depart Liberia for Ivory Coast; 21 Jan 1968 – Arrive Ouagadaugou; 31 Jan 1968 – Depart Mali; 3 Feb 1968 – Arrive London; 3Feb 1968 – Arrive Bourget France; 5 Feb 1968 – Visa for travel to Guinee; 9 Feb 1968 – Depart London; 9 Feb 1968 – Arrive Washington DC] CER and RFR attended inaugural events for President William Vacanarat Shadrach Tubman (1944-1971) for his 4th term as president of Liberia along with a State Dept delegation which included Melvyn and Helen Gahagan Douglas. (doc)
26 Apr 1967 John Edward Rhetts, CER’s father, died in Washington, DC (at ____ Nursing Home)
9 Nov 1971 CER died in London, England (age 61)
15 Nov 1969 Thomas Hart Fisher, Ruth’s brother, died in Chicago, Cook,Illinois
14 Nov 1971 CER: US Dept of Veterans Affairs Death File (SSN 352-07-2688; Navy) (doc)
15 Nov 1971 CER: cremated in London, England
Nov 1971 CER: Social Security Death Index (SSN 352-07-2688; issued before 1951) (doc)
Nov 1971 CER: obit (doc)
1971 CER: England Death Index (doc)
1971 CER: Report of Citizens Abroad (doc)
Jun 1973 Ruth travelled to Alaska with John and Susan Rhetts
1973 Ruth travelled to St John, Virgin Islands with John and Susan Rhetts
?? Ruth travelled to Russia with Charles Parkhurst et al
1979 Ruth Rhetts donates Francis Bacon painting to National Gallery in honor of Charles E Rhetts on behalf of John, Paul and Abby.
1981 CER listed over 30 times in John Service: State Department Duty in China. (doc)
1983 CER: Mentioned in Smith, Bradley F. The Shadow Warriors: OSS and the Origins of the CIA. New York: Basic Books, 1983. (doc)
?? Ruth travelled to Panama with son Paul and daughter-in-law Barbe Rhetts to visit daughter Abeille Rhetts
1989 2620 Foxhall Rd sold; house torn down in about 2000 and replaced by new structure that has 10 beds, 9 baths, and approximately 12,740 square feet. The property has a lot size of 2.8 acres and was built in 2006 (according to Trulia.com); current owner is Eugene Ludwig (according to BlockShopper.com).
1 Jan 1990 Ruth Fisher Rhetts died in Columbia, Maryland (age 80) at _____; cremated and buried in Hanover, Jefferson, Indiana at the Hanover Presbyterian Cemetery with her parents Walter and Mabel Fisher, and her grandparents Daniel Webster and Amanda D Kouns Fisher.
4 Jan 1990 WASHINGTON POST: RUTH FISHER RHETTS Volunteer Ruth Fisher Rhetts, 79, a Washington resident for more than 50 years who was active in service and political organizations, died of cardiac arrest Jan. 1 at Howard County General Hospital in Columbia. As a young woman, Mrs. Rhetts was a reporter for the Nevada State Journal, and she covered the successful 1934 reelection campaign of U.S. Sen. Key Pittman, a Nevada Democrat. Mrs. Rhetts was born in Chicago. She graduated from Stanford University. In 1936, she married Charles Edward Rhetts, a lawyer, and they moved to Washington soon afterward. Mrs. Rhetts maintained her permanent residence in Washington until February, when she moved to Columbia. From 1961 to 1964, she lived in Liberia, while her husband was U.S. ambassador there. Mrs. Rhetts was a reading volunteer with the D.C. public schools for many years. She also volunteered with Family and Child Services of D.C., the D.C. Junior Village, Common Cause and the Democratic Party. Her husband died in 1971. Survivors include three children, John Edward Rhetts of Wayzata, Minn., Paul Fisher Rhetts of Columbia and Abigail Kaelin of Fredericksburg, Va.; a brother, Walter Fisher of Lake Forest, Ill.; a sister, Margaret Fisher of Winnetka, Ill.; and five grandchildren.
DOCUMENTS
1910 Birth Record
1920 Federal Census
1930 Federal Census
1931 US Passport
1931 NY Passenger List
1938 — Chicago Daily Tribune Wedding Announcement
1944 US Special Employee/Govt Official Passport
1944 Military Permit of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to Enter Germany for Justice Dept business
1944 Dept of Justice Speclal Asst to Attorney General ID
1946 Dept of Justice Claim Division ID
1952 US Passport
1957 US Passport
1961 US Passport
1962 US Diplomatic Passport
1966 US Passport
1971 England Death Index
1971 Report of Citizens Abroad
1971 US Dept of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File
Who’s Who in America — Volume 5, 1969-1973 (doc)
A.B., Dartmouth Coll., 1931, LL.B., Harvard, 1934; LL.D., Cuttington College (Liberia), 1963.
Counsel, NRA, 1934-35
Resettlement Adminstrn., 1935-37;
private practice, Chicago, 1937-38;
counsel, power div., Fed. Emergency Adminstrn. Public Works, 1938-39;
asso. solicitor, U.S. Dept. Labor, 1939-41;
exec. asst., dir. of materials, War Production Bd., 1941-42, dir.foreign div., 1942;
spl. asst. to atty. gen., U.S. Dept. Justice, 1942-44;
1st asst. War Div., U.S. Dept. Justice, 1944-46;
dir. U.S. Dept. of Justice Mission in Europe, 1946;
acting asst. atty. gen., 1945;
gen. practice law, Washington, 1946-56, 60-62, 64-71, Salem, Ind.,1956-60;
U.S. ambassador to Liberia, 1962-64.
Served as lt. (j.g.) USNR, 1944.
Mem. Phi Beta Kappa.
Passport #338192 issued 31 Jan 1931 (109 N High St, Salem, IN)
Occupation: Student/single
1 April 1931 – Visa British Consulate Detroit MI – travelling to Great Britain
1 April 1931 – paid two pounds for Consular Service
23 April 1931 – Immigration stamp at Southampton
18 Jun 1931 – Transit stamp for departure at Cherbourg
19 Jun 1931 – Visa de Transit for passage at the French border
21 Jun 1931 – Entry stamp at Swiss border
1 Sept 1931 – Entry stamp at German border
8 Sept 1931 – Visa at German border
Special Passport #38475 issued 13 June 1944 (RFD #1, Falls Church, VA)
Occupation: Government Employee Proceeding Abroad on Official Business
13 Jun 1944 to 19 Oct 1946 - Military Entry Permit #478 Germany
13 June 1944 to 13 Dec 1944 – India, Ceylon, and China – Official Business Egypt, Iraq, Iran and other necessary countries en route
24 Feb 1945 to 24 Feb 1946 – Mexico – Official Business
24 Feb 1945 – Visa #476 Mexico
[8 May 1945 – V.E. Day]
7 Jan 1946 to 13 June 1946 – Continent of Europe and British Isles and Necessary countries en route – Dept of Justice
8 Jan 1946 – Visa #245 United Kingdom in transit to Germany
8 Jan 1946 – Visa #38 France
8 Jan 1946 – Visa #15 Sweden
9 Jan 1946 – Military Permit #11867–to accompany Joint Chiefs of Staff to Germany
9 Jan 1946 – Visa #284 Netherlands
9 Jan 1946 – Visa #1269 Switzerland
9 Jan 1946 – Visa #133 Italy
24 Mar 1946 Departure Paris Orly
26 March 1946 Immigration Arrival National Airport, Washington DC
[26 Mar 1946 - Paul born]
17 April 1946 to 17 April 1947 #2936 Dept of State
17 Apr 1946 to 17 April 1947 - Continent of Europe and British Isles and Necessary countries en route
18 April 1946 Transit Visa United Kingdom #2745 for transit to Europe
18 April 1946 Visa #2259 Switzerland
19 April 1946 to 19 Jun 1946 - Joint Chiefs of Staff Military Permit #12812 for Germany – Official Business For Dept of Justice
20 May 1946 Immigration Arrival London
23 May 1946 American Embassy London Permit to travel to France, Italy and Spain
23 May 1946 Visa #84 Portugal
11 June 1946 $150 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland
11 June 1946 $50 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland
11 June 1946 $100 Travelers Checks cashed in Lucerne, Switzerland
13 June 1946 Visa #771 France
Passport #538736 issued 7 Jan 1952 (Office=1401 K St NW, DC; Home= 346 Leesburg Pike, Falls Church, VA)
Occupation lawyer
28 Jan 1952 – Passport Control entry stamp Rhein-Main-Flughafen
11 Jun 1952 – Sweden entry stamp
17 Jun 1952 – Swedish Bank stamp 150 Pounds
18 Jun 1952 - Sweden exit stamp
18 Jun 1952 - Immigration London Airport
26 Jun 1952 – Exit stamp Prestwick England
30 Sept 1952 – Entry stamp Monte Chiasso
3 Oct 1952 – Exit stamp Sweden
10 Oct 1952 – Entry stamp Sweden
13 Oct 1952 – Exit stamp Sweden
13 Oct 1952 – Entry stamp London Airport
17 Oct 1952 – Purchase Tax, London
19 Oct 1952 - Entry stamp London Airport
17 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport
21 Jan 1953 - Entry stamp London Airport
21 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Bromma
28 Jan 1953 – Exit stamp Bromma
28 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Germany
29 Jan 1953 – Passport control stamp Germany
18 Sept 1953 – Swedish Bank Stamp 100 Pounds
20 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp Germany
24 Sept 1953 – Passport Control stamp Germany
28 Sep 1953 – Austria entry stamp
29 Jan 1953 – Entry stamp Northolt
4 Feb 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport
25 Jul 1953 – Entry Barajas
1 Oct 1953 – entry stamp Zurich-Flugplatz
6 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport
12 Sept 1953 – Entry stamp London Airport
14 Sept 1953 – Entry Gotenborg
20 Sept 1953 - Exit Bromma
22 Sept 1953 – Entry permit Berlin
24 Sept 1953 - Exit stamp Austria
29 Sept 1953 – exit stamp Brenner-Strasse
3 Oct 1953 – Exit London
23 Oct 1953 – Entry London Airport
19 May 1955 – Passport Renewal
18 Jun 1955 – Entry Bromma
24 Jun 1955 – Exit stamp Malmo-B
24 Jun 1955 – Entry Kabehaven
25 Jun 1955 – Exit Kestrap
5 Jul 1955 – Exit London Airport
27 Jul 1955 – Entry London Airport
25 Jun 1955 – Entry London Airport
27 Jul 1955 – Exit Barajas
22 Aug 1955 - Exit London Airport
23 Aug 1955 – Entry NY USA
Passport #452250 issued 15 Apr 1957
3 Jul 1957 – Entry London
4 Aug 1957 – Exit London
7 Aug 1957 – Exit Malmo
7 Aug 1957 – Entry London
10 Aug 1957 – Exit London
11 Aug 1957 – Entry Detriot, MI
14 Aug 1958 – Entry Orly
16 Aug 1958 – Exit Orly
23 Aug 1958 – Exit Bromma
24 Aug 1958 – Enter Zurich
25 Aug 1958 – Exit Zurich
25 Aug 1958 – Enter London
28 Aug 1958 – Exit London
29 Aug 1958 – Entry NY
20 Sept 1958 – Enter Orly
20 Sept 1958 – Enter Lisboa
20 Sept 1958 – Exit Lisboa
24 Sept 1958 – Entry Zurich
24 Sept 1958 – Exit Bromma
2 Oct 1958 – Enter Malpensa
5 Oct 1958 – Enter Suisse
12 Oct 1958 – Exit London
13 Oct 1958 – Entry NY
16 Oct 1958 – Entry Geneve, Suisse
10 Jan 1961 – Passport renewal
Passport #B448881 Issued 8 Aug 1961 (2620 Foxhall Rd NW, DC)
26 Aug 1961 – Arrive Washington DC
4 Sep 1961 – Arrive London
6 Oct 1961 – Arrive London
15 Oct 1961 – Arrive NY
13 May 1965 – Arrive London
15 Aug 1965 – Depart London
15 Aug 1965 – Arrive Geneve
10 Nov 1965 – Arrive Columbia
10 Nov 1965 – Arrive Bogota
22 Nov 1965 – Leave Bogota
Diplomatic Passport # X008851 issued 10 July 1962 (2620 Foxhall Rd NW,DC)
Occupation: Ambassador to Liberia
12 Jul 1962 – Visa Liberia
12 Jul 1962 – Visa Sierra Leone
13 Jul 1962 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire
17 Jul 1962 – Arrive London
20 Jul 1962 – Leave London
21 Jul 1962 – Arrive Dakar
27 Jul 1962 – Arrive Lungi
28 Jul 1962 – Leave Lungi
30 Jul 1962 – Visa Republic de Guinee
1 Oct 1962 – Arrive Cote d’Ivoire
4 Oct 1962 – Multiple Visa Liberia for 4 Oct 1962 to 4 Oct 1963
7 Oct 1962 – Visa for Mali
11 Oct 1962 – Visa Senegal
9 May 1963 – depart for USA
15 May 1963 – Entry NY
7 Jun 1963 – Passport Office Washington
10 Sep 1963 – Arrive Nigeria
11 Sep 1963 – Arrival Monrovia
16 Sep 1963 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire
16 Sep 1963 – Multiple Visa for Liberia 16 Sep 1963 to 16 Sep 1964
22 Sep 1963 – Depart Nigeria
23 Sep 1963 – Arrive London
1 Oct 1963 – Arrive London
1 Oct 1963 – Arrive Geneve, Suisse
26 Feb 1964 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire
26 Feb 1964 – Depart for Abidjan Cote d’Ivoire
4 Mar 1964 – Depart Liberia for Bamako Mali
8 Mar 1964 – Arrive Bamako Mali
13 Mar 1964 – Depart Bamako Mali
1 Apr 1964 – Depart Liberia for Ghana
4 Jun 1964 – Depart Liberia for USA
12 Jun 1964 – Enter NY
22 Jun 1964 – Passport Office Washington DC
3 Aug 1964 – Visa Cote d’Ivoire
3 Aug 1964 – Depart Liberia for Abidjan
9 Aug 1964 – Depart Liberia for Abidjan
20 Sep 1964 – Arrive Johannesburg South Africa
28 Sep 1964 – Visa at British Embassy Monrovia for trip to Kenya
28 Sep 1964 – Depart Liberia for USA
1 Oct 1964 – Arrive Geneve
7 Oct 1964 – Permit to travel to Uganda
12 Oct 1964 – Passport Control Nairobi Kenya
18 Oct 1964 – Arrive London
27 Oct 1964 – Depart London
Passport #G574363 Issued 24 May 1966 (4816 Dexter Terrace NW, DC)
20 Jan 1967 – Visa for travel to Liberia; Courtesy granted on instructions, verbal, from Ambassador Peal
27 Sep 1967 – Arrive Southampton
6 Oct 1967 – Arrive NY
9 Oct 1967 – Depart London
31 Dec 1967 – Arrive Liberia
11 Jan 1968 – Visa for Cote d’Ivoire
13 Jan 1968 – Depart Liberia for Ivory Coast
21 Jan 1968 – Arrive Ouagadaugou
31 Jan 1968 – Depart Mali
3 Feb 1968 – Arrive London
3 Feb 1968 – Arrive Bourget France
5 Feb 1968 – Visa for travel to Guinee
9 Feb 1968 – Depart London
9 Feb 1968 – Arrive Washington DC
1920 United States Federal Census
Washington, Washington, Indiana
Edward J Rhetts 56 [50]
Effie D Rhetts 36
Edith Rhetts 31
Charles E Rhetts 9
1930 Census
J E Rhetts 66
Effie Rhetts 47
Edward Rhetts 19
William Lommell 24
Alvin E Gessell 25
Ralph Miller 23
CER: SSN 352-07-2688
RFR: SSN 215-46-8440
TIME MAGAZINE ROLL OF HONOR Aug 10, 1942: C. Edward Rhetts, 32, is a lanky Indiana youngster who went to Washington from Harvard law school, is now executive assistant to WPB's Bill Batt. Ed Rhetts has never yet made the headlines -- but if Russian soldiers knew his name, they would give him prayerful thanks every day. His job is to get WPB's Lend-Lease aid on to Russia-bound ships; Russians who come to the U.S. to get non-military help such as locomotives and machine tools knock first on Harry Hopkins' door, then wind up talking to Rhetts. He wangles the goods off U.S. production lines, fights the Army to get clearance, gets the goods to the docks. In a city noted for men afraid to run with the ball unless they have a legal release from the White House, Ed Rhetts has been a notable and youthful exception. There were many other names on Washington's wartime roll of honor. Many of them were career men, to whom war came as the logical great opportunity of public service. Others were business and professional men whom war had yanked up by the roots, transplanted to strange new soil. Each in his own way has worked long and diligently to bring victory closer.
Two most important legal cases in Rhetts' career were:
1) John S.Service vs. Dulles et al (U.S. State Department), 1951-1957; argued before U.S. Supreme Court, 1955-57
2) Aktiebolaget Bofors Gun Company vs. U.S, argued before U.S. Court of Claims, 1953-1957
John S. Service
The Papers of John Stewart Service and Charles Edward Rhetts at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence, Missouri, document John S. Service's experiences with loyalty hearings, his dismissal from the U.S. Foreign Service, and the various court cases that ensued. Following his involvement in the Amerasia incident of 1945, Service underwent a series of investigations by the State Department, all of which pronounced Service to be a loyal U.S. Government employee. Accusations from Senator Joseph McCarthy, however, incited another hearing before the Loyalty Review Board in 1951. The Review Board ruled there was reasonable doubt concerning Service's loyalty and he was subsequently discharged in late 1951. Following this action, Service and Rhetts appealed the State Department's decision to dismiss Service in Service v. Bingham, et al. (also entitled Service v. Dulles, et al.). The men fought for Service's eventual reinstatement into the Foreign Service with back pay and benefits. In 1957, Service was reinstated as a Foreign Service officer as a result of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in Service v. Dulles, et al. Service was one of a number of so-called "China hands" State Department officials who were experts on China and the Far East – who saw their careers ruined during the 1950s by Senator Joseph McCarthy and his cohorts. McCarthy targeted Service and several of his coworkers, including John Carter Vincent, O. Edmund Clubb, and John Paton Davies, for criticism and investigation. McCarthy charged that Service and other State Department officials had effectively "lost"China to the communists, either through incompetence or, more ominously, through sympathy with the communist cause. The case against Service centered on the 1945 Amerasia scandal. In that year, FBI agents raided the offices of the magazine Amerasia and found classified government documents concerning America's policy in China. Service was implicated because he had given de-classified background information to the magazine's editor. A grand jury, a House subcommittee, and the State Department's Loyalty Board subsequently cleared him. In 1950, however, McCarthy singled out Service as one of what he called "the 205 known communists" in the Department of State. In short order, Service's case was reviewed once again, and this time he was dismissed. Service declared that the decision was "a surprise, a shock, and an injustice." Senator McCarthy exclaimed, "Good, good, good!"
The Papers of Service and Rhetts thoroughly document the men's legal activities during Service's loyalty investigations and the appeals process. During this time, Service and Rhetts accumulated many materials pertaining to the Service case, including correspondence, legal and government documents, newspaper clippings, memoranda, press releases, transcripts, printed material (primarily articles and editorials), handwritten notes, telegrams, transcripts of Service's hearings and court cases, and various publications. The collection includes correspondence with prominent liberals such as Edward F.Prichard, Jr. and Joseph L. Rauh, Jr. (who assisted Service and Rhetts in their legal efforts), and information concerning donations to a fund that was established to help pay Service's legal expenses. The majority of the correspondence and legal documents are carbon copies of originals.
The collection spans the period from Service's involvement in the Amerasia case in 1945; through Senator McCarthy's original accusation of Service's disloyalty in 1950, basing his claim on evidence from the Amerasia incident to infer that Service was pro-communist; through Service's retirement from the Foreign Service in 1963. Most of the documentation, however, falls between 1950 and 1957, detailing the loyalty hearings and the Service v. Dulles, et al. appeals case. The collection measures 1.6 linear feet (approximately 3,200 pages). The entire collection is organized into one series, a Subject File, which is arranged alphabetically according to folder title.
One of the most notable features of this collection is the high concentration of newspaper clippings concerning the Service case as well as documents connected to Service and Rhetts's legal activities. The newspaper clippings, gathered as the Service case progressed, are useful in understanding public reaction to the Amerasia incident, Service's loyalty hearings, and the rash of communist accusations associated with McCarthyism. The bulk of these newspaper clippings date from 1950 and 1951. Similarly, the collection contains a good deal of relevant legal and government documents, including transcripts of Service's 1951 hearing before the Loyalty Review Board and the later appeals case, Service v. Dulles, et al. before the Supreme Court. Additionally, Service and Rhetts collected and compiled all pertinent sections of the Congressional Record, which can be found in several locations within the collection. As a result, much of the official documentation of the Service proceedings is centralized and easily accessible.
Other information relating to the Service case or Senator McCarthy's accusations of communism in the U.S. government can be found in other collections at the Truman Library. General information on McCarthyism is located in a Student Research File entitled President Truman's Confrontation with McCarthyism. The Confidential File of the WhiteHouse Central Files of the Harry S. Truman Papers contains information on Truman's creation of the Loyalty Review Board itself. Information pertaining more particularly to Service and the Loyalty Review Board can be found in the oral history interviews of Arthur S. Flaming, Donald Hansen, Walter H. Judd, Stephen J. Spingarn, and Dr. Arthur N.Young.
Aktiebolaget Bofors Gun Company
In 1941 Bofors and the United States had concluded a contract for the manufacture of the 40mm Bofors for "the United States' use" However the US was soon producing guns for other nations, most prominently the United Kingdom. So near the end of 1941 Bofors wrote to the Lend Lease Administrator of the United States, Harry L Hopkins to point out that the guns manufactured by the US should only be used by the US. They received this reply from the White House dated January 21, 1942:
Quote
Sir:
I have your letter of December 30 telling me to tell the Army and the Navy to stop manufacturing Bofors guns for the use of the United Nations in the defeat of Germany and Japan.
I can only say that if I had a client who asked me to do what you are asking your [sic] Government to do I should tell them to jump in the lake.
Very truly yours
Signed Harry L Hopkins
Bofors let the matter drop. However, after World War Two when the US started disposing of their excess equipment (including Bofors guns) at rock bottom prices and flooding the market, Bofors took their case the US Court of Claims and a verdict was found in their favour on July 12, 1957.
AKTIEBOLAGET BOFORS v. UNITED STATES
NO. 206-53.
153 F.Supp. 397 (1957)
AKTIEBOLAGET BOFORS
v.
The UNITED STATES.
United States Court of Claims.
July 12, 1957.
Mr. C. E. Rhetts, Washington, D. C., for plaintiff. Messrs. LawrenceJ. Latto and Richard T. Conway, Washington, D. C., were on the briefs.
Mr. Kendall M. Barnes, Washington, D. C., with whom was Mr. Asst.Atty. Gen. George Cochran Doub, for defendant.
Mr. Thomas J. Lydon, South Portland, Me., on the brief.
Before JONES, Chief Judge, and LITTLETON, WHITAKER, MADDEN and LARAMORE, Judges.
MADDEN, Judge.
The plaintiff sues for damages for an alleged breach of contract by the United States. It made a contract with the United States on June21, 1941, licensing the United States to "make, use and have made in the United States" a type of 40 mm. anti-aircraft gun which the plaintiff had developed. It claims that its contract, properly interpreted, contained an agreement on the part of the United States not to export such guns
and thus compete with the plaintiff's interest in selling guns, or licenses to manufacture them, to other countries.
As we have said, the contract was made in 1941. The exporting of the guns by the United States began in 1942 and has apparently continued down to recent years. The plaintiff's original petition was filed onMay 15, 1953. The Government says that the cause of action is barred by our six-year statute of limitations. The plaintiff says that, in any event, its cause of action for such export of guns as occurred not more than six years before the filing of the petition is not barred.We think the plaintiff is right. The agreement not to export, if we conclude that there was such an agreement, was without limit of time, and each act of violation, whenever it occurred, would constitute a violation of the agreement. There would be no way to measure, at any given time, the total damages which might result from violations then past and those which might occur in the future, and thus include the mall in one suit.
The contract contained an agreement to arbitrate disputes which might arise under it. The instant dispute as to the meaning of the contract arose in 1942. Not until May 23, 1947 did the plaintiff request arbitration. That request was promptly rejected by a letter from theGeneral Counsel of the Navy Department "in view of the absence of authority of an executive agency of the Government to consent to there solution of disputes by arbitration." The plaintiff says that its right to sue did not arise until its request for arbitration had been rejected, and that its suit filed within six years after that rejection is effective for all breaches of the contract, whenever they occurred.
The Government says that the running of the statute of limitations was not affected by the arbitration provision. We think the Government is right. The arbitration agreement is a provision for extrajudicial resolution of disputes, analagous to administrative remedies which are often available. A party may be barred from suit for failure to exhaust such remedies, but normally, the statute of limitations runs while he is pursuing them. In the case of arbitration agreements, with no time limit, it would be intolerable that a party should prevent the statute of limitations from even beginning to run, merely by delaying his request for arbitration.
The plaintiff says that the Government's refusal, in 1947, to arbitrate was a breach of contract, and that the instant suit includes that breach and is therefore timely, since it was filed within six years after that refusal. Whether the agreement to arbitrate was invalid, as the General Counsel of the Navy Department wrote, or not, we do not decide. See George J. Grant Construction Co. v. UnitedStates, 109 F.Supp. 245, 124 Ct.Cl. 202. Even if valid, we think its breach does not give rise to a cause of action against the United States. In the absence of special circumstances such as that one has been misled, to his damage, by the repudiation of an agreement to arbitrate, the only effective judicial remedy for such a refusal is a decree for specific performance. That remedy is not available against the United States, since it has not consented to such suits. A suit for damages for the violation of an agreement to arbitrate can, in the absence of the special circumstances above referred to, result in no more than the award of nominal damages, since a court cannot know what arbitrators would have decided, if there had been arbitration. The cases in this court in which contracting officers have failed to make decisions entrusted to them by Government contracts are not in point. The court decides those cases on their merits, not as it surmises that the contracting officer would have decided them, if he had decided them. The plaintiff must seek the contracting officer's decision in order to exhaust his available extrajudicial remedy. But his recovery here, if any, is based on the substantive provisions of the contract, and not on the refusal to arbitrate.
Our conclusion then is that the plaintiff's suit is not barred by theStatute of Limitations, 28 U.S.C.A. ß 2501, but recovery, if any, maybe had only for violations of the alleged agreement which occurred not more than six years before the filing of the petition.
We now consider the contentions of the parties as to whether there was, in fact, an agreement by the United States that it would not export Bofors type guns.
The wording of the contract as signed was agreed upon after preliminary events and negotiations, which will be described only briefly in this opinion. American Army officers witnessed a demonstration of the Bofors gun at the plaintiff's plant in 1937. In that year the plaintiff was asked by our military attaché in Berlin to quote prices on a quantity of the guns and ammunition. The plaintiff suggested that our War Department purchase a license to manufacture the guns in the United States. The War Department advised the plaintiff in 1938 that it did not care to do that. In the fall of 1939the Bofors gun was called to the attention of the Chief of the Bureau of Ordnance of our Navy, by a person who had seen the gun fired in Sweden. In 1940, that official decided to obtain one of the guns, with ammunition, for testing purposes. In 1940 a gun was purchased, for$40,000, and 3,000 rounds of ammunition at $10 each. The contract provided that it did not grant to the United States a license to manufacture the gun or have it manufactured, and that the gun would be used only for testing purposes. The gun was so used in October 1940.
In August 1940, two officers of the Bureau of Ordnance of the Navy were sent to the West Indies to witness the firing of Bofors guns on a Dutch ship. They made a favorable report on the gun, but an unfavorable report on its fire control system. Following the report of these officers, and the test-firing of the purchased gun, the Bureau of Ordnance of the Navy decided, in effect, to adopt the Bofors gun in place of the 1.1 inch gun which had been developed by the Navy itself, able to undertake the manufacture of the gun.
Notes in 2009 from Frank Dummer Fisher: As a child, Ruth lived with MF and MTF in Boston, while MF attended architecture school. Stanford graduate. Married Charles Edward Rhetts, one of the New Deal hot shot young lawyers. Rhetts took on a few cases, with which he had success. Sought unsuccessfully to be elected from Indiana to Congress, backed Hubert Humphrey against JFK for Democratic nomination, but managed to be named Ambassador to Liberia for a two-year stint. Three children, John, Paul, and Abigail (MTF's mother's name).
RECORDS/DOCUMENTS Edward Ruth
Birth X X
Birth Register X
1910 Moved back to Salem, IN X
1910 Salem Leader X
1911 Washington Post X
1913 Salem Democrat X
1916 Salem Democrat X
1920 Salem Democrat X
1920 Census X X
1927 graduation Salem HS X
1928 graduation Winsor School, Boston X
1930 Census X X
1930 passenger list w. mother Mabel X
1931 graduated Dartmouth X
1931 Amer Univ Debate Team X
1931 US Passport X
1931 NY Passenger List X
1932 Passenger list X
1932 graduated Stanford Univ X
1933 President, Women’s Athletic Assoc X
1933? Pan-Am Hockey Team X
1934 graduated Harvard X
1934 graduated Stanford Univ MA X
1934 Nevada Newspaper Syndicate X
1934-35 NRA X
1935 father died X
1935-37 Resettlement Admin X
1937 Ed & Ruth met X X
1937-38 Pam & Hurst X
1938 Tribune Wedding Announcement X X
1938 Marriage X X
1938 honeymoon Acapulco X X
1938-39 Fed Emergency Admin X
1939 Passport issued X
1939 Passenger list X
1939 lived at 1641 34th St NW X X
1939-41 Labor Dept X
1940 bought farm Falls Church X X
1940 Census
1940 Aunt Mary Edith Fisher died X
1940-41 Council of National Defense X
1942-45 War Production Board X
1942 son John born X X
1942 TIME Magazine X
1942-46 Justice Dept X
1943 State Dept X
1944 US Navy X
1944 US Govt Official Passport X
1944 Military Permit of the Joint Chiefs X
1944 Dept of Justice ID X
1946 Dept of Justice Claim Division ID X
1946 son Paul born X X
1946 uncle Howard Fisher died X
1946-56 Reilly, Rhetts & Ruckleshaus X
1950 dau Abigail Rhetts KAELIN born X X
1952 US Passport X
1953 mother Mabel died X
1954 purchased 2620 Foxhall X X
1954 brother Frederick Fisher died X
1956-60 law Salem IN X
1957 US Passport issued X X
1957 Passenger list X X
1959 mother Effie Maupin died X
1960-62 Law DC X
1960 brother Arthur Fisher died X
1961 US Passport renewed X X
1961 Dir Transport Inaugural Comm X
1962-64 Ambassador X
1962 US Diplomatic Passport X X
1963 LLD Cuttington College X
1964-71 Law DC
1965 half-sister Edith Rhetts TILTON died X
1966 US Passport X
1967 father John Rhetts died X
1969 Brother Thomas Fisher died X
1971 Ed died, London X
1971 England Death Index X
1971 Report of Citizens Abroad X
1971 Vet Affs BIRLS Death File Death X
1973 travelled to Virgin Island w son John X
1979 Bacon painting donation X
1989 2620 sold; torn-down X
1990 RFR died X
1990 Sister Margaret Fisher died X
1990 Washington Post obit X
1991 Brother Walter Taylor Fisher died X
Gravestone — X