861.13/3–3050: Telegram
The Ambassador in the Soviet Union (Kirk) to the Secretary of State
982. Embtel 948, March 24. Following note from Vyshinsky dated March 29 received today:
“Dear Mr. Ambassador: In connection Mr. Barbour’s letter of March 24, 1950 on question alteration preferential rate exchange foreign currency for ruble, have honor inform that assertions contained in letter concerning comparison food cost in Moscow and Washington unrealistic. Unnecessary prove purchasing power ruble significantly increased and fully corresponds its official rates as result three price reductions all forms goods undertaken USSR 1947–1950.
Attempt in letter show stability dollar purchasing power in US clearly unconvincing and contradicts generally-known facts, evidence of which given in particular by President’s economic report to Congress January 6, 19501 in which pointed out retail price index in US increased by end 1949 to 169.3 in comparison 100.2 in 1940.
In view of above, US Government request that former preferential exchange rate be re-established is baseless, to say nothing of fact such questions entirely matter domestic legislation.
Accept, etc.”
- The President’s message to the Congress accompanying the Economic Report is in the Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: Harry S. Truman, 1950 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1965), pp. 18–31. The complete report was published as The Economic Report of the President Transmitted to the Congress, January 6, 1950 (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1950).↩