Mr. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. We were trying to out-bid them. I think the
United States were not at war yet at the time.
Mr. JENNER. That is right.
Mr. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. And so the French intelligence devised a system
whereby they could prevent the Germans and Italians from buying oil
by outbidding them on the free market. We went to Texas. We had some
contacts there with oil companies. And also in California. There we
met the Superior Oil people of California and other people, too, whose
names now I have forgotten.
Mr. JENNER. When was that work completed?
Mr. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. Well, I could not tell you exactly, but I think
it is about--it was not completed. We just somehow petered out.
Mr. JENNER. Were you compensated?
Mr. DE MOHRENSCHILDT. No--just my expenses, traveling expenses, and
daily allowance. It was handled by Mr. Fraiss. But no salary.