Coll 28/46 ‘Persia. Who’s Who, and Leading Personalities in:’ [‎77r] (153/352)

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the streets. His methods were not strictly legal, and at first caused a considerable
amount of discontent amongst property owners, but he without doubt improved
the aspect of the capital, and as the newly-constructed properties are bringing
in to their owners considerably enhanced rents, the former discontent has gradually
died down. High-handed methods were perhaps necessary to force the Tehranis
to co-operate in the improvement of the city, and Kerim Agha’s driving power
^ proved invaluable. He is a man of no education and his standard of intelligence
is below that necessary for a ministerial post. He caused the Railway Syndicate
so much trouble, even going so far as to refuse to pay the monetary instalments
as they fell due, that the latter were compelled to give him an ultimatum,
threatening to close down if he persisted in being obstructive. This caused the
Shah to invoke the help of Teymourtache, who was able to smoothe matters over
and satisfy the syndicate. As Minister of Public Works he was certainly not
the success that he was as Director of the Municipality. Before he attained
ministerial rank he had been in charge of the private estates of the Shah, and
is said to have enlarged them considerably at the expense of the owners of
neighbouring estates, and by methods which will not bear too close scrutiny.
Commanded a division of the Tehran Garrison in 1937. Visited the Legation
once in 1942, but takes no part in politics, and spends most of his time in his
village. He speaks no foreign language but understands a little Russian.
Kerim Agha is a typical product of the Cossack Brigade and a man of similar
character to Reza Shah. He can be very suave and agreeable when he likes, but
he is a robber at heart.
52. Dadgar, Hussein (Adl-ul-Mulk). —Born about 1882. First came into
prominence as a member of the Democratic party in the third Majlis (1914-15).
In 1916 he turned against the party. Was appointed Under-Secretary at the
Ministry of the Interior in 1916 and remained there until 1918. Was anti-British.
Later became Acting Minister of the Interior. Appointed assistant to the Prime
Minister in 1920. Was involved in the coup d’fitat of 1921 and fled to the mosque
at Kum when Seyyid Zia fled to Europe. Remained some months in refuge at
* Kum. Elected a Deputy to the fourth Majlis 1921, and to the fifth Majlis in 1924.
Assistant to Prime Minister 1923. Minister of the Interior 1925. Elected Vice-
President of the Constituent Assembly, December 1925, which elected Reza
Pahlavi to the Throne of Persia. Elected as a Deputy to the sixth Majlis 1926
and to the seventh Majlis 1928. President of the seventh Majlis. Elected a
member of the eighth Majlis 1930.
Left Persia suddenly in the summer of 1935 under circumstances which have
never been officially explained. It is said that the Shah suspected him of allowing
subversive activities among certain Deputies of the Majlis; or else that he took
bribes. Understood to be living in straitened circumstances in Paris 1943. A
rumour that he was founding a “ Free Persia ” movement there appears to be
unfounded.
Outwardly very friendly, but liable to be touchy about protocol questions of
precedence; rather vain and stupid. Speaks a little French.
53. Dadvar, Mehdi {Vussuq-es-Saltaneh). —Born about 1874. Entered the
service of the Ministry of War when quite young. Chief of Accounts of the
Mazanderan Regiments 1905. Joined the Nationalists and came to Tehran with
the Nationalist forces. Chief of Accounts at the War Office 1909. Held this post
for six years. Assistant Minister for War 1916 to 1918. Governor of Zinjan
and Khamseh 1918. Minister for War during 1920. Governor of Gilan for a
few months in 1922. Governor-General of Fars in 1924; and of Kerman 1925.
Governor-General of Khorasan 1926-27. Elected a member of the eighth Majlis.
Deputy Speaker of the ninth and tenth Majlis. In the eleventh he was (1939)
only a member for Tehran.
Attached to one of ephemeral parties in the Majlis in 1942-43, but having
failed in his ambition to become once more Minister of War he is devoting some
of his time to promoting trade with India.
A voluble politician, well disposed towards us, but carrying little weight in
the Majlis.
54. Dargahi, Muhammad. —Born about 1886 in Zinjan. His ancestors lived
in the Caucasus, and he has been heard to say that he looks forward to the time
when the Caucasus will return to its rightful owners, the Persians. Emploved at
Court in his young days in some menial capacity. Educated at the Dar-ul-Funun