V. I.

Lenin

25

To:   M. I. FRUMKIN

14. XII.1920

Comrade Frumkin, I am writing you about your exclusion (and Svidersky’s)
from the collegium. I believe that it was necessary to put
through the All-Russia Central Executive Committee’s decision on such members in a pedantic manner—and that
is how the C.C. has decided. [1] Political conditions demand
particular circumspection in this matter, as in the matter
of recruiting workers. I hope you will fully understand that
the political considerations, which the C.C. has approved,
must not and cannot in any sense be interpreted as signifying a lack of personal confidence, an underestimation of
personal qualities, etc. (even if there were gossipy attempts
to do so).

The new composition of the collegium without yourself must be accepted as a political necessity, and the mistrust and suspicion (of the unwillingness to “recruit workers”,
unwillingness to have more democracy, etc.) should be dispelled by hard work (I personally am sure that you and
Svidersky will do this quite easily, and that this will come
about of itself through a continuation of your work). The
whole point is to have your work , without the official high
rank (member of the collegium), refute all the slanders, all
the apprehensions of the workers and the trade unions. I
repeat I am sure that you and Svidersky will understand
this and will easily do it, There and there alone lies the
gist of the matter.

With communist greetings, Lenin