The Power Behind Adenauer -- Robert Pferdmenges -- Although practically unknown to the general public, Herr Robert Pferdmenges is by competent political observers often described as the man who, behind the scenes, exercises unrivalled power within Western Germany. Pferdmenges is seventy-three and at the beginning of 1954 he retired from his private banking firm in order to devote all his time to politics. He remains Chairman, or member, of the Executive Boards of twenty six major concerns in the Federal republic, among them banks, mines, insurance companies, steel works, textile firms, sugar refineries. March 14, 1951. (Photo by Max Ehlert, Camera Press).