| Notes |
In 1933 Secretary of Commerce Daniel C. Roper decided that he could benefit from the advice and counsel of public-spirited leaders of demonstrated success in their conduct of business affairs. The idea had been formulated by investment banker Sidney J. Weinberg, who felt that the government had relatively little business expertise at its disposal when it made decisions affecting that segment of society. After discussing the idea with some of his business acquaintances, Mr. Roper selected about 50 executives who agreed to serve without compensation of any kind as members of a new Business Advisory Council for the Department of Commerce. In 1961 members decided to broaden its scope. Council members felt that they should be available to serve all areas of government which requested their services.
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