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Steel called the president of General Motors and said, "Give or else." Education was the theme of Meyer's Administration. Not only was a college education available to every youngster; it was compulsory. The summer White House was installed at the Fontainebleau Hotel in Miami Beach. Passing out cigars, checking the stakes of the pinochle game in the East Room, keeping the guests' glasses filled with seltzer water —Jacob Meyer was a beloved President.
Jacob Meyer served two hectic terms with genuine distinction. There was little criticism directed at him. Most everybody was afraid to express criticism for fear of being accused of antiSemitism. Meyer's Administration broke the crust of old traditions and old prejudices. He left office on such a churning tide of democratic sentiment that he was able, miraculously, to pick his successor and have him elected against incredible odds: the first Negro President.