File No. 861.77/502
The Consul at Vladivostok (Caldwell) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 29, 12.14 p.m.]
177. Following from Stevens:
Your cable through Consul September 24, 4 p.m. Vladivostok car plant, 600 men, of whom 100 workmen, balance staff and supernumeraries, no organization, no control; output averages 25 cars per week. Under efficient management should be from 75 to 100 per day. I have personnel to organize properly with military support. Harbin locomotive plant, 700 mechanics, no proper organization or supervision. I have few our service men there but their efforts useless as no attention paid to them. Output about 2 locomotives per week, capacity under my absolute control would be 6 locomotives per day. I would want Vurst and about 20 Baldwin foremen. There are plenty good workmen there, only require absolute authority backed by Allied military support. Same conditions must obtain entire railroad if efficiency is to be had.