V. I.

Lenin

274

To:   G. M. KRZHIZHANOVSKY

G. M.,

Is the instruction clear?

We must presume that we shall have in 1921–22 the same, or even worse,
harvest failure fuel shortage (on account of lack of food and fodder
for the horses).

From this point of view there should be calculated what
purchases are needed abroad in order at all costs to overcome our most dire shortages, i.e., to procure without fail
the foodstuffs that are lacking (by direct purchase of provisions abroad, and by exchange of goods for grain in the
outlying regions of Russia) and to secure the necessary
additional minimum of fuel.

Only those requirements can and must be justified which
are essential from this point of view .

Not all electrical requirements come under this heading.
It is not enough to demonstrate that electricity economises
fuel.

It must be demonstrated in addition that this expenditure
is essential for 1921–22, given maximum shortage of grain
and fuel.

Lenin