commissioned. In September, 1945, he was assigned to the U. S. Group Control Council, and recently converted to civilian status.

The Soviet member's English interpreter is young, boyish Lt. W. Talmy, known as "Tommy". His father, an engineer, was a purchasing agent for the Soviet Union, and Tommy was born in Brooklyn, where he went through grammar school. He speaks "American" rather than English, often has to repeat his translations for the British delegation.

The French member's Russian interpreter is Elaine Tschavtschavadze. Miss Tschavtschavadze is a genuine Georgian princess and has a penchant for American chewing gum. A cousin of hers is a U. S. Army lieutenant in OMGUS. The British member's Russian interpreter is Harry E. Ward, a Russian emigre who became a British subject (and changed his name). He has been a professional interpreter for many years. Amongst his associates he is affectionately known as "Papasha", or Pop.

Of these four, two have important duties other than interpreting. Dick Steele is also a liaison officer for the Economics Directorate; Lt. Talmy is also one of the secretaries for the Soviet delegation.

The members of the directorate and interpreters necessarily spend considerable time together. Mutual respect has developed; also real friendship. Dinner parties among the members are frequent, and on two occasions they have gone hunting together.

To the person sitting in on a regular meeting for the first time, however, there is little evidence of after-hours comaraderie. With his brief before him, a member is apt to speak looking stolidly at the person addressed. Perhaps he twirls a pencil as he talks or fingers a cigarette lighter, using it to tap with on the table, from time to time, to emphasize his remarks.

Of course, there are disagreements. Considering the diverse political, economic and social views represented, they are inevitable. Still voices are seldom raised. When figuratively a member is pushed into a corner, his face may flush, his eyes may flash, his voice may be tinged with iron; but he never loses his temper.

On 15 August 1945, two weeks after signing of the Potsdam Declaration, the Economic Directorate met for the first time. It was "American month" at the ACA and General Draper presided. He is the only one of the present group who was at that first meeting. René Sergent, the French member then as he is now, was unable to attend. Maj. General S. I. Shabalin was the Soviet representative; Sir Percy Mills the British.

Between that time and August 3, 1946 first anniversary of the Potsdam Agreement there have been 58 meetings of the Economics Directorate.

It has been nerve-wracking, hard work for all concerned. It is rare for a

session to wind up before 7 p. m. And last February, when the post-war level of German industry was being worked out, the directorate labored far into the night, sometimes adjourning only with the dawn.

At the first meeting, on 15 August, there was considerable discussion about the basic principles laid down in the Potsdam Declaration. In its 50-odd meetings since that time, the Economics Directorate has played a vital part in endeavoring to implement those principles. Once the economic unity of Germany is reiterated and made effective by all of the four powers, the economics Directorate will likewise play a vital role in finishing what was begun at Potsdam.