V. I.

Lenin

ASSIGNMENT TO N. P. GORBUNOV AND LETTER TO K. KH. DANISHEVSKY, V. M. MOLOTOV AND A. S. KISELYOV

30.IX.1921

Comrade Gorbunov:

Please have this letter sent out in copies to

1) Comrade Danishevsky (Chief Timber Committee)

and 2) Comrade Molotov, C.C. Secretary

3) Comrade Kiselyov, Chairman of the Narrow C.P.C.

The C.C. has decided to assign 15 responsible men for fuel (firewood, to be more precise) work for the three-week
period. [1]

I should very strongly request comrades undertaking this
extremely important work to devote especial attention to
the following circumstances:

1) Verification of how the accounting (of the stockpiling,
haulage and carriage to the stations) is arranged in the
localities.

This business is run badly. The C.L.D. is aware of this,
but does not know how to help. Comrades observing it at the grass roots , on the spot, can do a great deal to help,
if they make a thorough study of the thing on the spot.

2) Stealing methods.

The stealing of firewood is very widespread (and this is understandable in a cold ruined peasant country).
Bureaucrats and contractors very frequently cover up this
stealing and carry it through “artistically”.

It is extremely important to make a much more detailed study from below of the methods of cheating (from entries
in the books, receipts, etc., etc.). The C.L.D. is badly
in need of this.

I earnestly request all 15 comrades who are going, to read this and drop me a couple of lines; if the need arises,
to agree to remain on the spot for an extra week or so to
make a more thorough study of the business. [2]

With communist greetings, Lenin

Chairman, C.L.D.

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Notes:
[1]
See Document 406 of this volume.— Ed.

[2]
The register of C.P.C. and C.L.D. assignments has the following
entry about this document, tinted September 30: “See to the
fulfilment of Vladimir Ilyich’s assignment to 15 responsible
workers mobilised for the three-week fuel (firewood) drive: a) check
up on how the accounting has been arranged in the localities;
b) study methods of stealing. Fulfilled 29.XII.21. 8.X collect
their record. Fulfilled 11.X” ( Istorichesky Arkhiv No. 5, 1961,
p. 43).

In their reports addressed to Lenin, the workers mobilised by
the R.C.P.(B.) Central Committee communicated the results of
the three-week fuel drive, and also exposed the serious
shortcomings in the work of timbering organs and the methods of stealing,
and outlined measures to combat them (Central Party Archives
of the Institute of Marxism-Leninism of the C.P.S.U. Central
Committee). See also Lenin Miscellany XXXVI , p. 327.