LETTER TO N. N. KRESTINSKII.
Copy: Comrade Preobrazhenskii.
17, X. 1921
Comrade Krestinskii!1
I would like to know your opinion, isn’t it time to make calculations
of two kinds:
first, a plan (the roughest and most general, in the order of first
approximation) for the restoration of our currency. Let's say: under such and such
conditions, over so many years, it would be possible, by
consistent application of such and such measures, to achieve such and such.
Do you (and the Commission on Financial Matters) consider
such a calculation possible, or is even approximately such
a calculation premature and impossible?
Secondly, is it possible to translate our expenditure budget into gold
and compare (by main headings —  and may be by departments

FINANCIAL QUESTIONS

and by regions, provinces, capitals, etc., as far as possible) with pre-war figures.
It is necessary to proceed, and as soon as possible, in order that by means of such
or a similar calculation we can begin the reform of our completely
neglected, un-coordinated, spontaneously, unsystematically
inflated budget.
Please inform me of your conclusion on this matter and —  if you have no particular objections —  put it before
the Financial Commission.
With comradely greetings, Lenin.
1 N. N. Krestinskii  —  People's Commissar of Finance.