[1] During his teenage years, Rutstein was drafted into the Russian army after which he was recruited by a German company supervising the import of lumber into Western Europe.

[3] By owning the source of timber, Rutstein was able to sell cheap lumber at reduced rates and undercut his competition throughout New York City.

In control of the lumber supply, Rutstein was able to undertake large building campaigns throughout Brooklyn and especially in Brownsville and Crown Heights.

Despite the collapse of the global economy as a result of the depression, demand for cheaper lumber increased not only in New York but nationally.

Rutstein was able to convince mills on the West Coast to adopt the standard and it was colloquially called the "Jew Plank".

On November 12, 1933, an article appeared which contained a picture of Jacob Rutstein, the caption providing: "Jacob Rutstein, prominent charitable worker and treasurer of the Beth-El Hospital, is active in obtaining subscriptions reservations for the hospital's 10th annual dinner to be held at the Waldorf Astoria held on Sunday evening.

Strausberg added that from "early morning until late at night, Mr. Rutstein and his committee are giving up their own businesses in an effort to obtain subscriptions for the dinner.