811.20 (D) Regulations/9811
The Minister in El Salvador ( Thurston ) to the Secretary of State
[Received February 16.]
Sir: I have the honor to report that Mr. Harold W. Moseley, of the Department, and Mr. J. A. R. Dalley, of the Board of Economic Warfare, recently spent five days in El Salvador explaining the proposed decentralization procedure outlined by the Office of Exports of the Department and the Board of Economic Warfare. During their stay [Page 214] in El Salvador they were in constant collaboration with Mr. W. W. Renwick, President of the Salvadoran Committee of Economic Coordination, and several of its directors, as well as with officers of this Legation.
Mr. Renwick is very enthusiastic about the entire plan of decentralization as it embodies many ideas, long advocated by him, such as virtual control over imports within the shipping estimates and drastic curtailment of imports not essential to El Salvador’s economy. For some time Mr. Renwick has favored a plan of decentralization, such as outlined by the Department.12 Mr. Renwick proposed a budget to the Salvadoran Government for the enlargement of his office so as to provide for an increased personnel of twelve in order to fully carry out the plan of decentralization. The Legation has just received word from Mr. Renwick that the Government has approved his budget. However, it has cut the salaries for some of his proposed new personnel. The Decentralization Plan will take effect in El Salvador on March 1, 1943; therefore, as of April 1, 1943, no further certificates of necessity should be honored for El Salvador.
The Legation at all times has received the highest degree of cooperation from Mr. Renwick and his Committee and its staff engaged in this work and is enthused over the prospect of putting the Decentralization Plan into effect.
[Here follows a report on local administrative procedure to be used in implementing decentralization in El Salvador.]
Respectfully yours,