## 5. VI. 1921

Comrade Radchenko!

Do not find fault with Hydropeat. This matter has been recognized by law as being of exceptional importance.

The Peat Administration is obliged to implement this law not out of fear, but in good conscience.

The invention is a great one. One must know how to conduct business with inventors, even if they are a little capricious.

And so far I do not see any caprice.

Kirpichnikov is an inventor. He must be allowed to go and must be sent.

Objections can only come from a political standpoint: if you have any, inform me confidentially.

If not, be sure to send Kirpichnikov.

I know perfectly well and highly value your merit in setting up the Peat Administration. You set it up in exemplary fashion.

I earnestly request: do not make a mistake, do not find fault with Hydropeat.

Greetings!

Lenin

First published in 1932 in Lenin Miscellany XX

Printed from the manuscript

## 7/VI. 1921

(Confidential)

Peat Administration, Comrade Radchenko

Dear Ivan Ivanovich!

I fully understand that it pains you to see how non-Soviet people – even, perhaps, partly enemies of Soviet power – have used their invention for the purpose of profit. I very much believe you that Kirpichnikov is such a person. Of course, Klasson is not our supporter either.

But the crux of the matter is that, however legitimate your feeling of indignation, we must not make a mistake, must not give in to it.

Inventors are alien people, but we must use them. It is better to let them grab a bit extra, make a profit, snatch – but also advance for us a matter that is of exceptional importance for the RSFSR.

Let us think through the assignments for these people in more detail. Perhaps the following plan:

1) Permit Kirpichnikov to travel on the condition of fulfilling precisely defined assignments; draw up a list of them.

2) Send with him two or three politically reliable people (a worker, an engineer of our own, etc.) as a kind of "commissars." Give them precise instructions.

We will confirm points 1 and 2 in agreement with Krzhizhanovsky.

3) Here, in Russia, create a special center, order the best machines for Hydropeat, set up this special center, i.e., a special enterprise, with these special machines, and entrust it with advancing this matter forward in its own way.

Will you find people for this?

4) Issue prizes from the Peat Administration (in the amount of 10-30 thousand gold rubles) in Canada and in Germany for the best methods of peat dehydration and the best models of machines for Hydropeat, etc.

Yours, Lenin

P. S. I find it strange that Klasson did not issue prizes in Germany, although we spoke with him about this. Is he not obstructing things? Should this not be done directly through the Peat Administration? Money should not be spared on this.

Written on June 7, 1921

First published in 1932 in Lenin Miscellany XX

Printed from the manuscript