(TELEGRAM TO THE NKPS, THE CHEKA AND THE REVOLUTIONARY MILITARY COUNCILS OF FRONTS AND ARMIES)
March 15, 1920

For the purpose of economising locomotives and fuel, as well as fully utilising the carrying capacity of the railways, the Council of Workers' and Peasants' Defence has decreed: first—categorically to prohibit the movement of express trains on the network of railways of the Republic without loading them up to the full tractive power of the locomotives, both with freight cars and passenger cars proceeding in the direction of movement of the express trains, placing the execution of this on the personal responsibility of the persons to whom the express trains are granted, and of the commandants of the latter; second—within three days from the date of receipt of this telegram, all military units, administrations and institutions are to release the locomotives occupied by them for permanent use, with the exception of those under armoured trains, mountain batteries* and railway divisions, as well as those located on the head sections of railways in a quantity not exceeding that necessary for the required operation of the sections. Supervision over the execution of this decree is entrusted directly to the Revolutionary Military Councils of fronts, separate and non-separate armies, and where there are none—to the army commanders, with the broadest assistance of the transport organs of the Cheka, the NKPS, the Central Directorate of Military Communications and the chiefs of military communications of fronts and armies.

Chairman of the Council
of Workers' and Peasants' Defence
Lenin