[12 June 1918]

Why and how did it happen that Gorbunov is not working for you? Why did you not formally secure his position?

It is necessary formally to advance this matter: formally to request Gorbunov.

Formally to lodge an appeal of his refusal. (Otherwise they will put you in prison for failure to exercise authority).

1 The correspondence with V. I. Nevskogo was conducted at a session of the Council of People's Commissars on 12 June 1918 in connection with the appointment of P. P. Gorbunov to a responsible position in the People's Commissariat of Transportation.

2 In the correspondence is the reply of N. P. Gorbunov with an explanation of the reasons of a personal character not allowing him to occupy a responsible post in the People's Commissariat of Transportation.