REMARKS ON THE DRAFT BASIC PRINCIPLES OF CONCESSION CONTRACTS¹
[27 March 1921] “The inspector keeps a book” (§ 18)
“Records” must be such and such (ten §§)
Loading must be under the supervision of an experienced overseer (§ 33).
Prohibit lighting fires, smoking, etc.

¹ The question of the need to draft basic principles of concession contracts arose in connection with the adoption by the Council of People’s Commissars of a resolution on 1 February 1921 on oil concessions in Baku and Grozny. The drafting of the project was entrusted to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of National Economy, A. I. Rykov. The remarks were made by V. I. Lenin while reading this draft. In a letter addressed to Rykov on 27 March, Lenin wrote: “I have looked through your materials on the concession contract and am deeply indignant... A mass of useless and ridiculous trifles (prohibition of lighting fires, etc.) and the serious matters are not singled out.” To Rykov’s letter with the proposal: “...We must tomorrow (i.e., 28/III) work out these principles” Lenin attached his own draft, which, with subsequent amendments and proposals, formed the basis of the CPC resolution adopted on 29 March. Speaking on 11 April 1921 at a meeting of the communist faction of the All-Russian Central Council of Trade Unions with a report on concessions, Lenin read out and commented point by point the entire text of the CPC resolution “Basic Principles of Concession Contracts” (see Complete Works, vol. 43, pp. 167–181; vol. 52, pp. 114–115).