Published:
First published in 1933 in Lenin Miscellany XXIII.
Printed from a typewritten text.
Source:
Lenin
Collected Works,
Progress Publishers,
1976,
Moscow,
Volume 45,
pages 245b-246a.
Translated: Yuri Sdobnikov
Transcription\Markup:
R. Cymbala
Public Domain:
Lenin Internet Archive
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Vladimirov: We have established high rates in the Ukraine on the west bank of the Dnieper. This entails heavy risks. We are taking the following measures: to involve the volost economic conferences in the work of discussing a number of questions of interest to the countryside, but we are simultaneously faced with the question of salt, considering its present shortage. The question comes to this: are we to give salt regardless of the payment of tax (this is official), actually, however, giving it first of all to those volosts which have successfully started to collect the tax; let me add that I think it right to sell for ready cash even now. Let me have your opinion.
Lenin: First: I advise the sale of salt only for grain, and not for cash in any case.
Second: Sell salt only to those volosts, villages or individual farmers who have paid in at least a quarter or half the tax.
Third: I think that the successful collection of tax requires military units to help it, with these military units receiving larger rations at the expense of the local peasants, until the tax has been paid.
Fourth: Let me know what the food situation is in the Donbas, how well it is supplied, and for how long.
Vladimirov: On the first two questions I maintain the same stand.
Concerning military force, please have a talk with Frunze, who has gone to Moscow.
As for the Donbas, we have four routes for it. We are taking steps to get some locomotives. I believe we shall be able to start regular supplies not later than the 12th.
Lenin: Maintaining the first stand is not enough. You must have a formal C.C. decision. If you cannot obtain it from your C.C. you must get it through the C.C. here. The same applies to the rules of using armed force.
Concerning the Donbas, let me have the briefest and most precise reports twice a week about the quantity of foodstuffs in hand.
Vladimirov: I think this matter can be best decided with Rakovsky and Frunze, who have gone to Moscow. My opinion is on record.
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