861.02/25: Telegram
The Chargé in the Soviet Union (Thurston) to the Secretary of State
[Received September 8—5 a.m.]
1130. Pravda today publishes a ukase85 of the Presidium of the Supreme Soviet of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics concerning the organization of the People’s Commissariat for State Control of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. This ukase states that the Commissariat is organized with the objective of establishing a very firm control over the accounting for and expenditure of state funds and materials and of verifying the execution of the decisions of the Government “on the basis of the reorganization of the commissions of Soviet control and of chief military control”. It grants to this Commissariat the right to issue instructions which shall be binding upon all People’s Commissariats chief administrations committees attached to the Soviet of People’s Commissars of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and their local organs and also upon all other state cooperative and other public enterprises, institutions and organizations concerning the presentations of their accounts and concerning explanations, information and other matters connected with questions which come within the complexities of state control. It gives the Commissariat the right to impose upon those guilty of non-fulfillment of the decisions of the Government and also of neglect in accounting and of wasteful expenditure of materials or money disciplinary measures including removal from office. In cases of malfeasance or other criminal activities the Commissariat is empowered to hold guilty persons answerable to a court in accordance with the procedure established by law. It may impose and collect monetary fines in cases of discovery of incorrect activities on the part of officials damaging to the state.
A separate ukase appoints L. Z. Mekhlis as People’s Commissar for State Control and as an Assistant President of the Soviet of People’s Commissars of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
- Dated September 6.↩