ECONOMIC AFFAIRS.
2980!
To the Presidium of the VSNKh
20 May 1921
On 2 February, under JSS 785/up., I sent you, via Gorbunov**, a letter from Comrade Kotlyarov with a proposal to utilise idle hoisting machines in large cities, with all their equipment, for mining operations, accompanied by the following resolution:
“We must gather information and ascertain whether something can be done here to assist the mining industry. Confiscate everything superfluous.” As is evident from the documents in the VSNKh, five commissions worked on this assignment:
1) A conference at the Food and Metal Distribution Department on the utilisation of LIFT equipment for the Donbass (11 February).
2) A Special Commission for the inspection of LIFTS in buildings (worked until 23 February).
3) A technical conference of specialists at the Technical Department of Metals (around 22–24 March).
4) A conference on the question of utilising hoists from the city of Moscow and other large cities for the mining needs of the coal industry, held in the Mining-Technical Department of Glavugol (16 April); and finally
5) A session of the Central Production Commission of 22 April, Protocol 321, Item 238.
Commission No. 3 already clearly established that LIFT equipment can definitely be partially used for the mining industry. Yet to date, practically nothing has been done; the matter drags on endlessly and aimlessly.
I propose that the question be submitted to the Council of Labour and Defence on 25 May, with a draft resolution roughly along these lines:
“Instruct the Presidium of the VSNKh, in agreement with the People’s Commissariat of Internal Affairs, to utilise those parts of the hoists of Moscow, Petrograd, and other large cities that are suitable for the mining industry, such as: winches, drums, ropes.”