“A Baurat Heller, hitherto consultant for the industrial transactions of the Creditanstalt, is now the president of the Direktion. Joham is a member of the Vorstand. Mr. Friedel and Dr. Pfeiffer have further been added as new members of the Vorstand. The latter gentleman is a confidential agent (Vertrauensmann) of the party and is well known to Mayor Neubacher.

“Mr. Heller has been described to me as an intelligent person with a pleasing personality, who, however, has no full authority and is little inclined to part with blocks of shares. Also with regard to the personnel problems in Berndorf, he will hardly be able to exercise sufficient authority. I heard it rumored that Direktor Abs was to take over the Creditanstalt, this is, however, nothing but a rumor.

“I also spoke to the former Berlin ambassador, his Excellency Riedl, whom I used to know well, and who is at present Staatssekretaer under Minister of Trade Fischboeck. He had not yet been informed of your plans regarding Berndorf. I gave him the information. He is absolutely reliable.

“It seems to me that the whole situation, as it is, urgently demands that Mr. Joeden should get in touch with Direktor Abs as soon as possible, since, in my opinion, he will be the most suitable person through whom the Creditanstalt can be contacted.

“Finally, I have just had breakfast with Mayor Neubacher with whom I have been well acquainted for many years. I informed him also. Mr. Neubacher is friendly with Mr. Raffelsberger, who, at the present moment, is the commissioner for all questions related to industrial economy, especially personnel questions. Mr. Neubacher described the sale of certain blocks of shares through the banks as highly desirable, since large building projects are imminent in Vienna, in particular the construction of a fair ground and the building of a Danube harbor.

“I also sent a copy of this letter to Dr. Joeden. I hope that you agree with the steps I have taken. I shall give you a more detailed report on O.A.'s condition from Berndorf.”