Volost and village committees of the rural poor are being established everywhere, organized by local food supply organs [with the assistance of Soviets] under the general direction of the People's Commissariat of Food Supply. All Soviets must render comprehensive assistance to the committees of the poor, directing all their activity strictly in accordance with all the provisions of the present decree.

[Members of volost and village committees of the poor may be persons with little land and those not employing hired labor.] ***

In the protocol of the Council of People's Commissars No. 135 this point is formulated in the following manner: "The right to vote and to be elected to volost and village committees of the poor may belong to all without any restrictions whatsoever, both local and outside residents of villages and hamlets, with the exception of notorious kulaks and wealthy proprietors having surplus grain or other food products, having trade and industrial establishments, employing farm laborers or hired workers, etc." Ed.