[October 15, 1918]

To Smirnov — Your conclusions?
To Bryukhanov ]

¹ Telegram with the following contents: "During a trip to the Urals Front, the following was discovered: in the fields millions of poods of cut and uncut grain. Likewise, reserves in almost the entire front-line zone. No one is concerned with harvesting the grain. There are no signs of any organization whatsoever. In general, the food commissars in Samara Province are either inactive or creating confusion. It is necessary to immediately take measures; for this, thousands of workers are needed, mobilization of machinery. The Commissariat for German Affairs of the Volga Region willingly provides colonists for these tasks and will render energetic assistance, but there are no means whatsoever. I am convinced that you will take measures, because otherwise the grain will rot. Pyotr Petrov."