File No. 861.24/54a
The Secretary of State to the Consul General al Moscow (Summers)
Russian authorities here have 1,000,000 pairs shoes originally ordered for army which they are willing to ship to Moscow Supply Committee for distribution in provinces of central and south Russia.
Member of cabinet of Provincial [Provisional?] Government informs Department that Moscow Supply Committee while in close touch with the Ministry of Supply is nevertheless a voluntary organization and that he has confidence in Chairman Runov. Department understands Supply Committee will move to Tomsk and continue operations from there if Moscow is threatened.
Please confer with Runov and committee and report fully whether practical plan can be devised, with your cooperation, to assure delivery of shoes to members of Cooperative Societies in exchange for grain for cities in Moscow supply district.
Please give matters careful consideration, having in view future, as well as present conditions. Do not let matter become public or commit Department.