Flattery-First Then Publicize Your Version

"Kaiser also learned that Ickes was a tenacious watchdog over his department’s expenditures. The Interior chief was convinced that Six Companies wasted money on overtime, performed in other than “emergency” situations. As Six Companies’ work wound down in the summer of 1935, Ickes counted more than seventy thousand separate violations of the letter of the contract and authorized a payroll audit. Ickes suspected no criminal intent but was a stickler for detail. He was irritated by Six Companies’ casual interpretation of the rules, and he considered a $ 350,000 fine. 52 Rather than challenge Ickes’ charges directly, Kaiser devised a masterful response. Several weeks later, as the dam superstructure neared completion, Kaiser arranged for publication of a handsome illustrated booklet, So Hoover Was Built, by Six Companies publicist George Pettit. Copies of the booklet were to be mailed to influential opinion-makers across the country, thus presenting the Six Companies’ perspective before any headline-seeking investigations or negative assessments could surface. In keeping with his determination not to alienate Ickes, Kaiser mailed copies to him before general distribution. The secretary backed down part way and lowered the fine to $ 100,000.53"

"Ickes was renowned for his prickly personality; his nickname was “Old Curmudgeon.” Kaiser learned one secret of getting along with him, consistently flattering Ickes and keeping him informed of developments at Hoover Dam. In March 1936, Ickes wrote to Kaiser, “Your company has made a remarkable engineering record in overcoming the obstacles incident to constructing such a difficult project and in advancing the time of completion so materially.... I have been very impressed with the fair attitude of you and other officials, which resulted in a satisfactory working relationship.” 54 This was probably as close to sentiment as the dour Ickes got, at least in correspondence with those other than President Roosevelt."

"Late in 1945 the Steel Workers made their initial moves. Their contract was due to expire, and they threatened a strike if Big Steel did not grant a substantial increase. President Truman persuaded Murray to extend their deadline to January 21, 1946, and created a fact-finding board to determine an equitable wage adjustment. The board recommended a basic hourly increase of $. 185. Murray accepted it, but Big Steel would not budge from a “final” offer of $. 15. Industry leaders would grant the full amount, but only if the government abolished price controls. Truman would have none of it and considered seizing the companies. 59 That was where matters stood on January 17, 1946, four days before expiration of the deadline. Truman invited Murray and Fairless to the White House, but the meeting stalled, and the steel man left in a huff. The next day, Kaiser, who “happened” to be in Washington, showed up at the White House and announced that he would accept the $. 185 increase. He realized full well the impact his concession would have. Kaiser unctiously stated: “I have informed the President... that I have sufficient faith in this great nation to humbly take the lead in peace—as I did in war—in helping our people and our world establish the sincere and honest relationship which these critical times require.” He chided his competitors: “... three-and-a-half cents is two percent of steel wages. Who can estimate costs down to two percent? Can anyone hesitate to save his country for three-and-a-half cents?” Murray chimed in, calling Kaiser’s concession “a great contribution to the nation.” 60 Once again, Kaiser won a media contest with his rivals in steel. The reactions of men such as Bethlehem’s Grace and Republic’s Tom Girdler have not survived, but their thoughts toward Kaiser must have been unprintable. In their view, Kaiser had simultaneously committed two unpardonable sins. That he had broken the ranks of “solid steel” was hardly surprising, since he had always been an outsider; but his break weakened their bargaining position. 61 Far worse, he had openly consorted with the enemy and had the gall to condemn their penuriousness from the most visible forum imaginable. To Big Steel, this was unconscionable grandstanding."

"When you listen to the voice of your heart, you will go all out to strive and work hard for that voice until you reach the other shore."

"After that, I no longer feared letting go. I believe that as long as I start from the heart, each choice conceals a new world. When an opportunity arises, as long as I correctly evaluate my potential and integrate it with my understanding of life, I can seize this new world."