X I. PUBLIC HEALTH
September — October 1921
LETTERS TO N. A. SEMASHKO.
X *4

[September 13, 1921]
Comrade Semashko, I am increasingly receiving indications of the most appalling state
of our resorts in the Crimea and the Caucasus: bribery, privileges for the bourgeoisie
with outrageous treatment of workers, and most importantly complete disorder with treatment and, most importantly, complete
lack of food security.
I ask you to provide me with accurate information that you
have on this, immediately.
And then about the methods of verification in more detail: how many resorts
(out of how many) submit correct reports (amount of food per.......number of patients, per staff, etc.), number of
baths (mud) etc.
Chairman of the Council of People's Commissars V. Ulyanov (Lenin).
XJ>
2390Т
24. X. 1921
Comrade Semashko!
Having signed today the decision of the Small Council of People's Commissars on two billion
(I think so? I don't remember the exact amount) for the cleaning of Moscow and
having read the "regulation" of the People's Commissariat of Health
on the week of improvement of housing ("Izvestiya" No. of July ), I came to the conclusion that my suspicions
(regarding the complete unsuitability of the whole undertaking)
are increasing.
Billions will be taken, embezzled, and stolen, and nothing will be done.

* Printed from a typed copy. Ed.