V. I. Lenin

Source: en:CW/CW45; ru:PSS/v53;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

To the Chairman of the Small Council of People’s Commissars, Comrade Kiselyov

With reference to A. P. Smirnov’s memorandum I wrote to you* that I am decidedly opposed to any expenditure of potatoes for the manufacture of alcohol, and pointed out that alcohol can and must be made from peat.

It now appears that the question of manufacturing alcohol from peat has not yet been finally settled. The method has not been tested on a factory scale and its economic aspects are not clear (there is no precisely verified estimate and no data for making one). Consequently, it is as yet impossible to speak of the mass production of alcohol from peat.

Take all measures to expedite in every way the starting of the experimental plant for the manufacture of alcohol from peat—the former Givartovsky yeast plant in Moscow.

As for Smirnov’s proposal that the peasants be paid for potatoes in alcohol, I object categorically. If Smirnov insists, let him submit the question to the Central Committee.

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