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The Famous 1958 Campaign [[image]] [[caption]] J. RAYMOND JONES [[/caption]] [[image]] [[caption]] Councilman Jones came out of retirement in 1958 to design, mastermind and execute a successful campaign for the re-election of Congressman Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. In photo at one of his strategy meetings are the late Judge Harrison Jackson, J. Raymond Jones, Mrs Maude Gadsen, Congressman A. C. Powell and Attorney McLaurin. [[/caption]] When the history of politics in New York City is written, one name, J. Raymond Jones, will stand out in revered prominence. Theodore white, in his Pultizer [[Pulitzer]] Prize winning "Making of a President," wrote. "Roy Jones is a man of distinguished mind and great learning. He can play it tough, or way up high where men speak of America's ultimate purpose. How he uses the power of the Negro in American politics may determine our culture for years to come. Yet, all he wants, at the moment, is fair share of education and schooling, of patronage and public jobs." Born in St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, on Nov. 19, 1899, John Raymond Jones passed up a European university scholarship and came to New York to work in a defense plant. A natural leader, he soon found himself speaking up for others seeking recognition. He was a crusader in the right for the city's first Negro political leaders,and after years of insurgency he was himself elected as a district leader in 1943. A strong-minded, wiley strategist, and technician, Ray Jones was an important power behind the election of former Mayor William O'Dwyer and served as one of his principal advisers. Dropping out of politics from 1952 to 1958, he returned to help Rep. Adam Clayton Powell in beginning the fight against bossism, in the 1960 presidential campaign, Ray Jones traveled throughout the country as a key advisor in the Kennedy-Johnson election. He continued his fight against bossism in 1961, setting up and directing the citywide registration and petition drive for Mayor Robert Wagner's smashing primary victory. It was because of his invaluable work that the Mayor recently appointed him as his personal political liaison officer. Throughout, Ray Jones has been an intrepid fighter in securing millions in public works improvements for Harlem, and is constantly called upon to aid underprivileged tenants, relief recipients, and elderly persons. He has held several appointive governmental positions—Deputy United States Marshal, Deputy City Housing Commissioner, and Secretary to two judges. He is an active member of the National Committee on Pockets of Poverty and one of the state representatives of the Advisory Committee to the U.S. Civil Rights Commission. He is an ardent supporter of appointment on the basis of ability, and has been responsible for recommending many outstanding city officeholders. In his various capacities, he enjoys the personal confidence of many of the nation's leaders. The father of two children, Mr. Jones shares many intellectual interests with his wife, Mrs Ruth H. Jones, appointed by President Kennedy as Collector of Customs for the Virgin Islands. [[image]] [[caption]] Carmine DeSapio [[/caption]] 389
