891.51A/905d: Telegram
The Secretary of State to the Minister in Iran (Dreyfus)
587. The Department is gratified at outcome of Millsipaugh’s action, in submitting resignation and believes way is open to provide him with personnel needed.
However, we have been disturbed by circumstantial reports of dissatisfaction among members of Mission. We think it advisable for you to talk to Millspaugh and try to persuade him of necessity of modifying his methods to conform to needs of large Mission. We believe he should take all his principal executives into fullest confidence and invariably seek their advice before issuing regulations they will be responsible for executing. Frequent staff meetings with frank discussion of his plans would also help in bringing about a spirit of cohesion which has been sadly lacking.
We will impress upon men being selected that they are subordinate to Millspaugh, but we feel that Millspaugh will be the gainer by treating them as men whose opinions are entitled to great respect, by consulting with them orally, and by refraining from issuing critical or irritating, written, orders such as those forbidding men to talk to certain officials and requiring them to use only English.
These suggestions are drawn from a series of comments we have received since last spring. We discussed problem with Robinson, who said you had talked with Millspaugh along these lines, but we think it might have salutary effect if Millspaugh is also told of Department’s deep concern. Knowledge of this matter is fairly widespread among executives of type we are seeking for Mission and impeded our efforts to obtain some of them.
You may at same time express to Millspaugh our sincere appreciation of his high character and other excellent qualities of which we are fully cognizant.
We trust your discretion in handling matter. Improvement is necessary if best men are to be retained and Mission is to accomplish all that we and the Iranians hope.