March 24, 1949
Conversation with the President
Subject: Gubitchev Note
I went over the note to the Soviet Ambassador on the Gubitchev case with the President. He approved the note.
I told the President that Ambassador Smith was gravely concerned about the safety and morale of the staff in Moscow and had asked me whether it was agreeable to me to have the Ambassador speak to the Attorney General. I told the President that I had no desire to reopen a question which had been decided by the President after mature consideration. The President said that the note represented his best judgment and that he did not believe it was desirable to go into the matter again.
I suggest therefore that the Ambassador defer his talk with the Attorney General until the question of the disposition of Mr. Gubitchev after the trial arises.
DA
S:DA:ma
March 24, 1949
MEETING WITH THE PRESIDENT
Ruhr Agreement Cartel Control of German Steel
The President expressed to me his concern that our purpose of removing cartel control from the production of German steel was failing and that within a short time we would find that the same people in Germany would have worked out with the British, French, Belgians and Luxembourgers a steel cartel.
He said that some Senators - he mentioned Senator Kilgore and, I think, O'Mahoney - had spoken to him about this, and he asked me to look into the matter and report to him.
The President asked whether the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe could be given the function of allocating German steel. I replied that the membership of this Commission was not well adapted to this purpose and briefly discussed with him the provisions of the Ruhr agreement.
The conversation had to be broken off due to a luncheon engagement, which the President had. However, he is concerned about it, and I think we must prepare material for him.
DA:be