Office of the Historian

124.611/230a: Telegram

The Secretary of State to the Chargé in the Soviet Union (Wiley)

Washington, December 18, 1934—2 p.m.

305. Reference Department’s 148, July 5, 6 p.m., and 177, July 27, 1 p.m.74 The following questions on which information is desired by cable remain unanswered:

1.
Written assurances from proper authorities that (a) 4,000,000 Lindeberg bricks may be purchased at $5 per thousand; (b) 1,200 tons of Portland cement may be purchased at $6 a ton, subject to standard tests; (c) 3,500 cubic meters of clean washed river sand at $1 per cubic meter; (d) 400 tons of lime at $6 per ton; (e) 5,000 cubic meters of clean washed river gravel at $1.50 per cubic meter. For all foregoing materials, prices to include delivery at site. In this connection Department has noted your 224, July 28, 4 p.m.,75 stating that Embassy believes a reduction in Torgsin76 estimates can be obtained through negotiations with Mezhlauk and Department desires that these negotiations [Page 269] be concluded as soon as possible so that Lindeberg may have the information for consideration with Ambassador Bullitt before he is obliged to return.
2.
Written assurances that we may pay wages for Russian workmen in roubles at regular wage scales by giving dollars converted at the minimum rate of 30 roubles to the dollar: or alternatively obtain maximum fixed wage scale for all workers in dollars.
3.
Written assurances that all transportation and trucking costs may be similarly paid for: or alternatively obtain maximum fixed prices in dollars per ton from Leningrad dock to Moscow site.
4.
Written assurances that material shipped into the country and consigned to American Ambassador to be incorporated in new construction will be admitted duty free and free from all taxes of whatsoever nature.
5.
Written decision as to entry and sojourn of foreign laborers whom we would import and maintain for skilled and semi-skilled work.

As soon as you cable you have obtained these written assurances it will be possible to go forward as the Department earnestly desires by calling another meeting of the Commission77 to obtain their final approval of the detailed plans and working drawings now practically complete.

This cable has been read and approved by Ambassador Bullitt.

Hull
  1. Neither printed. The Department requested information relative to problems involved in the proposed construction of United States Embassy buildings in Moscow. (124.611/182b, 195b.)↩
  2. Not printed.↩
  3. All-Union Combine for Trade with Foreigners, an official organization selling merchandise only for foreign currency.↩
  4. Foreign Service Buildings Commission, Independent Offices and Establishments; Sam D. McReynolds, Representative from Tennessee, was Chairman.↩