LETTER TO CHARLES S. SHELDON FROM NORMAN S. PAUL

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 29, 2013
• Sequence Number: 12
• Publication Date: May 22, 1956
• Content Type: LETTER

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
22 May 1956
Dr. Charles S. Sheldon
Joint Committee on Economic Report
Room 23B
Senate Office Building
Washington. D. C.
ER 8-2923
Dear Doctor Sheldon:
Attached hereto is the material we discussed
over the phone.
Attachment
IG:NSP:fm
Distribution:
0 & 1 - Addressee
2 - Leg. Counsel
Sincerely yours,
Norman S. Paul
Legislative Counsel
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
Declassified in Pa.rt- Sanitized Copy Approved forRelease2013/08/29 : CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
Executive Registry
STAT
2 1 MAY 1956
MEMORANDUM FOR: Legislative Counsel
SUBJECT: Unclassified Information on the Soviet Watch
Industry
1. In accordance with your oral request of 17 May, I am
enclosing unclassified information which we have taken from our
files on Soviet production of watches and clocks. Additional
sources of information are also given which can be exploited by
staff members of the Joint Committee on the Economic Report.
2. We have not performed any classified research concerned
with the measurement of the strategic importance of this industry
to the Soviets and are unaware of any research performed by other
agencies.
Enclosure:
Subject Information
OTTO E. G
Assistant Di '-ctor
Research and Reports
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R00071003310012-2
STAT
--Orr
21 MAY 1956-
1.6240RANDUM WO1I Legislative Counsel
SUBJECT: Unclassified Znformation on the Soviet Watch
Industry
1. In accordance with your oral reaueat of lativ, I an
enclosing unclasaified information vhich ve have taken from our
files on Soviet production of vetches and clocks. Additional
sources ot information are also given vhich can be exploited by
staff members of the Joint Committee on the Economic Report.
2. We have not performed any classified research concerned
Vith the measurement of the strategic importance of this industry
to the Soviets and are unaware of any research performed by other
agencies.
Enclosure:
Subject Information
OTTO E. GUMS
Assistant Director
Research and RePorts
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
1. Produ
Soviet Wa
h and _Clock Production
etion or Watc
clocks in the USSR
Tear
Production
(aillion, units)
1938
1.3.
1940
2.6
1948
3.1
19149
6.0
1950
7.6
1951
9.6
2952
3.0.0
1953
3.3
1954
16
1955
20
1960 (P1m)
33.6
Sources Available frau Pravda, Ievestia, or
Ottrrent Digert of the Soviet Press.
2. Product 141x
1941 Plan
All watches
Pocket watches
Wrist watches
AU clocks
Pendulasa-type wall
Alarm clocks
Tab3., clocks
20%
10%
1.01
clocks 47%
3.8%
5%
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2
b. 1954 and 55 Plans
leg Plan
Total watch and clock production 16 million (100%)
Wrist watch production 5.6 million (3%)
Other 10.4 million (65%)
19g Plan
22 million (100;)
7.1 milli= (32%)
111.9 million (68)
3. Technolopr
Technical examination of Soviet watches by Western watchmakers
indicates a Generally lower level of mammfacturing technology in the
usaa than is customary in the match industries of the Western
countries. There has been, however, a considerable and continuing.
improvement since Uerld War 114 Irequalities consist general/ of
refinements of design and workmanship more effecting durability and
probable life of the commodity than its time keeping. qualities.
4. Additional sources
Por additional information on 195655 Plans see Soviet decree on
consumer geode published in Pravda and lzvestia, 28 October 1953. A
translation of this information is available in the Current Dipst,of
the Soviet Press, Vol. 17, No. 42, 2 December 1953, Pg. 9.
Information on types and prices of watches and clocks sold in the
USSR is available in State De artment despaches on consumer goods,
1954 to date.
The New York Times (7 April. 1956, 2415) recently carried a report
on the Ruisian watch industry based upon an article in the Swiss Trade
Journal, Pie Schweizer phr. The Times item stated that Swiss watch
technicians were 1404i impressed with the quality of the Russian
#7ictoryn 'wrist watch.
Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2013/08/29: CIA-RDP61-00357R000100330012-2