Kahn, Richard A., 1891-1958

Personne

Kahn, Richard A., 1891-1958

Richard A. Kahn (1891-1958), a lawyer and economist, taught economics and business law courses, published numerous articles and held a variety of positions in the United States government. Born in Germany, Kahn studied in Heidelberg and served as counsel for the city government of Ludwigshafen-Rhine. During the 1920s, Kahn became executive director of the Tobacco Association of Mannheim. He later worked as a financial consultant and then as Vice President of the Electric Works Company in Berlin during the 1930s.

A research fellowship from Johns Hopkins University brought Kahn to the United States, where he conducted research and taught at American University and later at the Catholic University of America. Kahn also served as economic advisor to the Railroad Retirement Board, before joining the Office of Price Administration (OPA) during World War II. Kahn represented the fisheries industries, and participated in efforts to settle labor disputes and establish price ceilings for the OPA. He handled appeals cases and corresponded with other government agencies including the War Department and the Federal Trade Commission.

In 1944, Kahn became Chief of the Economic and Cooperative Marketing Section of the Department of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service. Working in the Branch of Commercial Fisheries, Kahn planned and directed economic research, wrote economic reports for the U.S. Congress and government agencies and produced bulletins and pamphlets for the public. Kahn recorded and analyzed investments, cost and consumption statistics and frequently appeared before congressional committees to give reports and represent the interest of commercial fisheries.

Kahn wrote several articles on economics and law published in America and Germany. A member of the Investment Bankers Association and the Gulf and Caribbean Fisheries Institute, he also participated in the activities of these organizations.