John Coleman

John Coleman   (businessman)
Born	1897
Died	1959 (Age 61)
Nationality	US
Chairman of the Committee for a National Trade Policy out of which the American network for participation in the Bilderberg grew. "Through its leaders in Washington, big business is now in a position to perform great services for the American people".

Not to be confused with John E. Coleman of the CIA

John S. Coleman was a US business executive who worked for the Burroughs Corporation. He was Chairman of the Coleman Committee (or Committee for a National Trade Policy) out of which the American network for participation in the Bilderberg grew. A Cold Warrior, he saw big business as the natural leaders of the country, predicting on the election of Dwight D. Eisenhower that "Through its leaders in Washington, big business is now in a position to perform great services for the American people".

Career

Coleman was born in 1897.

He served with the U.S. Army in France in World War I. He joined the Burroughs Adding Machine Company in 1920 as a junior salesman. Twenty-six years later he became President. Coleman gave a great deal of time to public affairs. He was closely associated with the Economic Club of Detroit, the Institute for Economic Education, the National Management Council, National Industrial Conference Board and the U.S. Council of the International Chamber of Commerce.

In 1956 "Burroughs introduced its first commercial electronic computer and acquired ElectroData Corporation, a leading maker of high-speed computers. ... Burroughs entered the computer field during the tenure of John Coleman".

He supported the election of president Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1952 and predicted that "Through its leaders in Washington, big business is now in a position to perform great services for the American people".

Opinions

In a 1952 article he wrote:

What of the foreign aspects of United States economic policy? In these days the stability of the American economy is a matter of concern not only to Americans but to the whole free world. A slight dip in United States national income has, as experience has proved, a proportionately greater effect on imports. The fact is that the dominating position of the American economy creates a basic tendency to world imbalance, and the smallest fluctuation in the United States can cause economic crisis abroad. To a large extent the initiative in this matter must lie within the United States. The basic international economic problem is the dominance of the American economy. Clearly, then, we must develop a trade and tariff policy appropriate to a creditor nation. Though it may seem to overseas observers that such a policy is not emerging, more encouraging developments should not be overlooked. There was a time when the business community was protectionist in viewpoint. But this is no longer true. The United States Chamber of Commerce representing some 11 million businessmen, the Detroit Board of Commerce, the National Foreign Trade Council, the United States Council of the International Chamber of Commerce have all declared themselves for freer trade. A recent survey made by the Council on Foreign Relations of the views of leading citizens in 25 cities showed, in the great majority of cases, including those of businessmen, a solid rejection of the protectionist thesis.

The peoples of the free world must make up their minds that the cold war is not a temporary phenomenon. For a long time ahead there will be need for substantial military establishments. And a large part of scientific and technical resources must be diverted to military and defence work. Perhaps we must accustom ourselves, like the Romans, to the garrisoning of our borders against a continuing threat—to which there is no foreseeable end. But even were these military factors not so pressing, the argument for broader thinking would remain. For we are dealing here with the right to govern. Leadership is won by those who will accept responsibility. They accept a trust, above and beyond their own interests, for the advancement of the national welfare - in peace or war, prosperity or depression.

Death

Maybe sudden? In 1959, age 62-63.

 

Events Participated in

Event	Start	End	Location(s)	Description
Bilderberg/1955 March	18 March 1955	20 March 1955	France Barbizon	The second Bilderberg meeting, held in France. Just 42 guests, fewer than any other.
Bilderberg/1956	11 May 1956	13 May 1956	Denmark Fredensborg	The 4th Bilderberg meeting, with 147 guests, in contrast to the generally smaller meetings of the 1950s. Has two Bilderberg meetings in the years before and after

Many thanks to our Patrons who cover ~2/3 of our hosting bill. Please join them if you can.