V. I.

Lenin

Draft C.P.C. Decision on Grain Consignments to Moscow by Through Trains [2]

1) The Food Commissariat shall be found guilty of gross negligence in
the performance of an extremely important assignment.

2) A complaint against the Commissariat for Post and Telegraph shall be
formally lodged with the Chairman of the C.P.C. within an hour of complete
failure to obtain a direct line and an answer by it, [3]

3) Inquiries shall be instituted into the conduct of the gubernia food
commissars for non-fulfilment of or failure through bad organisation to
fulfil the order of the People’s Commissariat for

Food. [4]

4) An official to be attached to the Food Commissariat to take proper
charge of lines.

5) The C.P.C. to meet on

Saturday [1] to check fulfilment and discuss a decision on delivery orders.

6) An explanation in writing to be demanded of the Post and Telegraph
Commissariat in regard to the delay in delivering Food Commissariat
telegrams, and an indication of measures or law amendments necessary to
ensure the urgent transmission of the Food Commissariat’s orders.

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Notes:
[1]
December 27, 1919.— Ed .

[2]
Lenin wrote this draft in connection with the discussion, at a meeting
of the C.P.C. on December 23, 1919, of the question of the Kazan, Simbirsk
and Samara gubernia food commissars’ failure to carry out the order of the
Food Commissariat concerning grain consignments to Moscow by through
trains. The draft was adopted by the Council with certain amendments.

[3]
From the reports of speakers it transpired that one of the prin-cipal
reasons for non-fulfilment of the order was the delay on the part of the
Commissariat for Post and Telegraph in giving the Food Commissariat a
direct line for communicating with the local areas. This point was adopted
by the Council in the following wording: “In all cases of non-receipt of a
direct line the guilty party shall be that commissariat, which, not having
received the line in the course of an hour for carrying out an important
assignment, shall have failed to complain about it to the Chair-man of the
C.P.C.” (Lenin Miscellany XXIV, p. 147).

[4]
This point was adopted by the C.P.C. in the following wording:

“ The Commissariat for Justice is instructed to institute
investigations to determine the culpability of the gubernia food commissars
and other officials guilty of non-fulfilment of the Food Commissariat’s
order for through trains with grain to be consigned to Moscow or of failure
to fulfil same through bad organisation“ ( Lenin Miscellany XXIV,
p. 147).