April 6. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi wrote Ugo Giachery "in touch with an Italian firm in Carrara about placing contracts for the granite columns which will surround the building on the first floor. He [William Sutherland Maxwell] is now proceeding to Italy primarily to place the contract for these, and, if suitable stone, matching the Palestinian stone."

 

April 6. On this date in 1948, Shoghi Effendi wrote Ugo Giachery "in touch with an Italian firm in Carrara about placing contracts for the granite columns which will surround the building on the first floor. He [William Sutherland Maxwell] is now proceeding to Italy primarily to place the contract for these, and, if suitable stone, matching the Palestinian stone."

From page 241 of Amatu'l-Bahá Rúhíyyih Khánum's The Priceless Pearl, in Chapter 11, titled "The Development of the International Institutions of the Faith"...

It is impossible to go into all the details, so fascinating in every way, that comprise the saga of the building of the Shrine. A letter, dated 6 April 1948, which I wrote on behalf of the Guardian to Dr Ugo Giachery conveys very clearly the situation at that time: "... Mr. Maxwell...because of various difficulties...has not been able to place any contracts for the actual work to be carried out here in Palestine. However, he has been in touch with an Italian firm in Carrara about placing contracts for the granite columns which will surround the building on the first floor. he is now proceeding to Italy primarily to place the contract for these, and, if suitable stone, matching the Palestinian stone which will be used here can be found, to also place additional contracts for the capitals and certain pieces of the carved ornamentation...Mr. Benjamin Weeden... will accompany Mr. Maxwell to both take care of him and facilitate in expediting the work there...As conditions in this country are extremely disturbed and the immediate future most uncertain, the Guardian is very anxious to have the contracts placed in Italy as soon as possible and have Mr. Maxwell and Mr. Weeden return here before they might possibly be cut off from us temporarily. He would therefore greatly appreciate your giving as much time as you can to assisting them, translating for them and seeing that they are in touch with reliable Italian firms and dealt with fairly...Unfortunately, owing to the fact that practically all communication with Jerusalem is cut off...Mr. Weeden was not able to contact the Italian Consulate there and obtain his visa. he will, if you and he cannot arrange for a visa in Rome when his plane comes in, have to go on with the same place to Geneva...and return to join Mr. Maxwell...as Mr. Maxwell is now 74, though in the best of health, we hope you will take good care of him...Things are so acute here that it is extremely important that they get through with their business and return to Palestine..."