If Rutherford was a no-body in the Society, how did he get unto the Board of Directors so quickly? Excluding A.N. Pierson (and if you will Rutherford), how did the other people get on the original Board? Where can one find info on that? Is there something other than in this W.T. article?
He got on the board the same way many do in this world,. It's who you know! Rutherford was an opportunist. And he made a name fo himself travelling and debating. he also had friends in high [places, namely VanAmburgh and MacMillan. These two no doubt pulled some strings to get Rutherford on board. After all, they could agree, he was a Lawyer, he knew business. he is well liked and respected and knows the truth. He wold be an aset to the organization. So he got on this little committee that was simply going to get thing organizaed for the elections in January 1917. The president was just a figure, the power was not in the hands of the board of directors, so it didn't matter what the president did or said. If the directors did not approve it, it would not be done.You know the rest of the story. When it came time for the election of the officers, Rutherford was elected as president, only he added a little by-law which gave all power to the president. Now the Society and all its assests were in his hands and the directors were powerless. Before the directors could have these by-laws rescinded, the Judge ties things up and dismissed any and all who would challenge him. By then the majority of the Bible Students basically told the judge, you can have it, we don't need it, and moved on.RR