LETTERS ON AMERICAN INDUSTRIAL EMIGRATION 
July 22–27, 1921

The question of attracting American industrial emigrants to the RSFSR arose in the context of the considerable flow of workers—many of whom had emigrated to America prior to the Revolution—who were now making their way back to Russia. Their spontaneous movement through the Baltic states entailed substantial financial losses for the emigrants, who, moreover, expressed deep dissatisfaction due to the harsh living conditions they encountered upon arriving in Soviet Russia. The issue therefore urgently required prompt resolution.

THE LEPINSKY COLLECTION 
On June 22, the Council adopted a resolution emphasizing the desirability of leasing enterprises to groups of American workers under terms developed by the Supreme Council of National Economy. Below are three documents: a letter from L. K. Martens, concerning the Council’s principled decision on this matter, and two letters addressed to L. K. Martens and V. T. Likhachev regarding the establishment, by American workers, of a sewing factory at No. 56.

June 22, 1921*  
Comrade Martens,

I must reproach you for having improperly routed the documents pertaining to American colonies in Russia. I only read them on June 20th. Instead of forwarding them via Bukharin, you should have formulated practical proposals in Russian—no more than twenty lines—and submitted them directly to the Council of People’s Commissars, sending me a personal copy along with a brief accompanying letter. The delay occurred precisely because the matter was handled incorrectly. In essence, I am in favor of allowing American workers and colonists, in general, to bring with them:

1) Food supplies sufficient for two years (you mention that this has been done before; therefore, it is certainly feasible).  
2) Clothing for the same period;  
3) Tools and implements of labor.  

Of these, the first—and especially the second—are of paramount importance. Two hundred dollars are of lesser significance. If the first item is provided, I am fully prepared to offer every possible form of support.*

To expedite matters, please draft a resolution for the Council of People’s Commissars without delay and submit it today—if you can manage it before 3 p.m.—to the Council itself. At 6 p.m., we will make a decision; if you are unable to meet the deadline, submit the resolution to the Council at 6 p.m. anyway, and we will establish a commission to deliberate and reach a decision on Friday, June 24th.

The draft resolution should stipulate:  
1) The terms—namely, the three points outlined above;  
2) You will be responsible for overseeing operations (will you—alongside an American worker—also represent the People’s Commissariat of Labor?);  
3) We will provide assistance (granting land, forests, mines, and the like);  
4) Financial arrangements shall be as follows.

Please respond promptly, with your signature attached.  

Chairman of the Council of People’s Commissars  
V. Ulyanov (Lenin).

* The document is printed from a typewritten copy. Ed.  
** The phrase “offer every possible form of support” is written in capital letters. Ed.