611.573/63
Memorandum of a Conversation Between the Assistant Secretary of State (Sayre), the Assistant Chief of the Division of Western European Affairs (Hickerson), and the Norwegian Minister (Morgenstierne)
Mr. Morgenstierne inquired whether there was any news on whale oil, recalling Mr. Sayre’s statement that we would consult the President concerning the possibility of seeking legislative relief for whale oil. Mr. Sayre replied that the facts had been placed before the President and that we were now awaiting word from him respecting his decision. He added that the decision would necessarily have to be made by the President and to take into account domestic political considerations which were somewhat outside the province of this Department.
Mr. Morgenstierne then inquired whether there was anything which he could do to help to facilitate a favorable decision and we replied that we could not think of anything. He inquired whether there was any objection to the Norwegian-American Chamber of Commerce appearing before the appropriate Congressional committees; he stated that this organization comprised both Norwegian and American interests and that they had in the past appeared before Congressional committees when matters of interest were up. Mr. Sayre replied that he could see no objection.