Evening star., 1947-01-20
Reporters Of ParIeY
In Moscow Warned
On Prices and Cold
BY the Asseeieted Press


The largest number OF reporters tt
visit Moscow in many years is plan
ming to go there by March 10 tt
cover the work of the Big Four For
eign Ministers on German and Aus.
trian peace settlements.
Whether all will be able to go de-
pends on word not yet received by
the State Department from the
Soviet government. The Russians
have explained that they have ex-
tremely tight housing conditions in
their capital. But American OIL
cials are expecting arrangements to
be made for a maximum number OF
newsmen, and are hoping for in
formation by February.
Meanwhile, Michael j. McDer-
mott, State Department press officer
has received indications from more
than 60 American reporters and
photographers, in this country and
abroad, that they want to cover the
conference T..
Reporters Warned of Cold.
For the benefit of these and others
who still may file applications to go,
Mr.. McDermott last week issued
suggestions on how to proceed and
what to expect in the Soviet capital.
On the basis of information pre-
viously gathered by American visi-
tors In Moscow, he has made it clear
that while the newsmen may get a
warm welcome from the Russians
they will be in for a cold and fairly
expensive time OF it.
In March winter still persists in
Moscow" the State Department
mildly reminds the prospective
traveller. "A heavy winter overcoat
and rubbers are a. necessity"
The departments understatement
leaves much untold, according to
persons familiar with the Moscow
winter. Long underwear, flannel
pajamas, heavy suits and shoes and
fur hat will not be out of place in
the subzero temperatures likely to
prevail.
IL Rubles for Dollar.
As for expense, costs have to be
figured at the rate Of IL Russian
rubles for 81. Regular dinners-for
which, as American restaurants say
"the price Of the entree determines
the price of the meal"-cost mini
mum of 28 rubles, about $233. But
for one who dimes in a restaurant
and orders by the dish, the mini
mum dinner charge will be about
1870 rubles, or $1O.S4. Tips will run
about 10 per cent addition.
The minimum hotel cost for room
with bath is given as so rubles a
day, or S.. The price goes up from
there. Foreigners in Moscow usually
live in one of three centrally located
hotels, the National, Savoy or
Metropole, the latter ordinarily
housing newspapermen. A fourth
modern hotel, the Moskova, also
may be used to house foreigners
during the conference.
The basis of Russian policy toward
the press was laid down by Foreign
Minister Molotov during the closing
days Of the recent Big -Four Council
meeting In New York. He told Sec
retary Byrnes substantially:
"The Soviet government will be
happy to see the Ministers in Mos
cow and everything will be done IN
spite of the housing difficulties to
accommodate the correspondents
and to create the most favorable
conditions for their work.
No Censorship Is Seen.
"They will be able to report from
Moscow on the proceedings OF the
conference as they reported in Paris
and New York"
.OfYacials regard that as meaning
(D that diplomats present in each
Council meeting will report the pro-
ceedings to the press as IN Paris
and New York and (2) that dls.
patches will be allowed to go out OF
Moscow without censorship and over
facilities adequate to handle many
thousands of words a day.
Mr.. McDermott has instructed
CORRESPONDENTS intending to make
the trip to file visa applications
that is. requests for entry permits
at the nearest Soviet consulate. He
has asked also that he be advised
when this is done and later be IN
formed of action-approved or DIS
approved-taken by the Soviet gov
ernment.
Broadcasting Uncertain.
IN the basis of this information
MIR. McDermott will then ADVISE the
soviet Embassy here exactly now
many representatives of the Amerl-
can nress will need Conference Gre
dentials. The question OF radlo re-
rorters going over to make direct
vnice broadcasts back to the United
states is still unsettled. AT preSent
the Russians do not allow sucn
broadcasts. ,.A l..
sail from New York on the SWedlsn
liner Gripsholm on February -
and journey from Stockholm to
MOSCOW mainly by train. Others
NAV fly there either in Swedish
Rassian or American planes or some
combination. The State Department
has asked whether the Russians
would object to American planes
hying groups of correspondents d.
rectly from the United States or
from Berlin. Round-trip CONNER
cisl air rates are more than $1,000
paf passenger.
once in Moscow the average cor
respondent, judging by State De-
paftrnent information, will find a
variety of new experiences awaiting
him in addition to the language and
the weather.
y 20-Ruble Subway Ride.
He may get a haircut In a hotel
barbershop for about 2 rubles but
should tip to 10 rubles. He can
ride on a bus, streetcar or subway
for about 20 rubles, and the subway
is said to be one of the best any
where. Taxis will be difficult to
obtain. The hotels will provide laun-
dry and pressing services but prob
ably nosdry cleaning.
Money regulations in Russia as in
many other European countries are
strict. The traveller entering the
Soviet Union must declare the sum
he. is taking in, SO that when he