V. I.   Lenin

506

To:   V. M. MOLOTOV FOR MEMBERS OF THE POLITBUREAU OF THE R.C.P.(B.) C.C.

Published: First published in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Ed., Vol. 54. Printed from the original.
Source: Lenin Collected Works, Progress Publishers, 1976, Moscow, Volume 45, page 380^b.
Translated: Yuri Sdobnikov
Transcription\Markup: R. Cymbala
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Comrade Molotov:

Today Comrade Teodorovich brought in his resignation. I refused to accept it.

It, is plain that he wishes to clear himself of the odium of any possible conflicts and friction with Osinsky.

I am sure, however, that the matter will be settled for the greater benefit of the People’s Commissariat.

Please circulate this among Politbureau members to find out whether they confirm my refusal to accept Teodorovich’s resignation.^[1]

With communist greetings,
Lenin

Notes

[1] The letter here published is connected with the conflict at the People’s Commissariat for Agriculture between V. V. Obolensky (N. Osinsky) and I. A. Teodorovich. Having discussed this question on November 18, 1921, the Politbureau of the R.C.P.(B.) Central Committee adopted the following decision:

“a) To recognise that for the correct direction of the People’s Commissariat for Agriculture it is necessary to carry out the following combination in the top posts: the political-administrative direction should be in the hands of Comrade Osinsky, the People’s Commissar should be a peasant engaged in practical work in agriculture, and Comrade Osinsky’s deputy should be Comrade Teodorovich. = b) To leave Comrade Teodorovich as head of the animal husbandry department” (Central Party Archives of the Institute of Marxism-Leninism of the C.P.S.U. Central Committee).

On November 21, the Politbureau reaffirmed its decision concerning Teodorovich.

On November 22, Osinsky asked the Politbureau either to cancel its decision on Teodorovich or to accept his resignation as Deputy People’s Commissar. On this letter, Lenin wrote: “I propose that we reject both parts. Lenin.” Lenin’s proposal was adopted by the Politbureau on November 29, 1921. See also this volume, Documents 546 and 547.