V. I.

Lenin

184

To:   THE ECONOMIC COMMISSION OF THE BOLSHEVIK CENTRE

In order to conduct our business affairs systematically and to
be able just as systematically to cut down expenses, it is necessary

1) to draw up monthly accounts under comparable headings
separating the most essential items least subject to change from
the more incidental and more easily reducible items (publishing the paper
from aid; premises of the for warding office and print-shop expenses from
the cost of paper, typesetters’ wages, etc.);

2) to try to draw up a rational summary account for a
considerable period of time (e.g., half a year) indicating average
expenditure on each item. (Allowances to Party workers separately; aid
separately; incidental and travelling expenses should not be lumped
together; expenditure on the newspaper itemised:
typesetters—paper—premises—forwarder’s wages—printing shop, etc.) After that it is necessary to consider
carefully cuts on each item, not approximately, not by rule of thumb, but
on the basis of exact estimates (re duce such-and-such an item by so-and-so
much: buy cheaper paper or rent cheaper premises, etc., etc.; reduce
expenses on “messengers” and travel, etc.).

1909. Months (0. S.)

VI VII VIII IX σ a Allowances to Party workers b Aid to comrades c National organisations d Transport e Inheritance a Mailing a Honorarium a Incidental a Secretary and postage f Illegal publications (minutes)

g Conference h To Russia e Payments On old debts i Miscellaneous

2,560
359.2
400
730
300
1,501
454.5
207
26.7
1,725
2,258
5,947.55
–
--

1,055 1,930 1,505
553.70 208.35 653.35

475
1,064.65
265
2,705
66.50
169.75

1,545
–
4,648.75
4,012.40

600
1,615
|21,000|
800
185.10
118.10

933.40
–
1,000

600
1,760
1,135
1,080.90
103.50
380
136.20
–
--
6,562.70
300
–

Monthly average (roughly)
1/4 σ

7,050
1,774.60
2,075
5,169.65
22,700
6,088.90
701.80
941.85
328.75
3,270
2,258
18,092.40
4,312.40
1,000.0

1,762
444
519
1,292
5,675
1,522
175
235
82
817
566
4,523
1,078
250

Total . . . . 16,468.95 16,608.45 28,467.30 14,216.65 75,761.35 18,940

240 36

216 6.66....

24

0.5

Approximately:

Possible reductions mini- mum maxi- mum
? min- imum in thousands

a) Expenses for organisations abroad and for paper
b) Aid to comrades
c) National organisations
d) Transport
e) Expenses on obtaining σ and debts
f) Illegal Party publications
g) Conferences
h) To Russia
i) Miscellaneous

3,776
444
519
1,292

|6,753|
817
566
4,523

2.5 —3.0 2.5
0.3 —0.5 0.2

0.2 —0.3 0.1 (Latvians only)

0.0 —0.8 0.5

-- – --

0.3 —0.5
0.6 —0.6
2.5 —3.5

2.5 (C. C. only, excluding local)

250 0.1 —0.2 – 18,940 7.1 —9.4 6.3

18,940
–

6,753
12,187

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Notes: