To the vote of the Politebyuro members by phone1*.

To the Secretary of the Central Committee, t. Stalin

In view of the fact that t. Rykov has received leave since the arrival of Tsyurupa (arrival expected on 20.IX), and my doctors promise me (of course, just in case nothing bad happens) to return to work (at first very moderate) by 1.X., I think that one Tsyurupa to take on all the current work is impossible, and I propose to appoint two more deputies (Tsyurupa). Tsyurupa cannot be entrusted with all the current work, and I propose to appoint two more deputies (deputy chairman of the Council of People's Commissars and deputy chairman of the Council of Labor and Defense), namely, Trotsky and Kamenev1. Distribute the work among them with my participation and, of course, the Politburo as the highest authority.

September 11, 1922

V. Ulyanov (Lenin).

Voting members of the Politebyuro by telephone2*

1) "For" (Stalin).

2) "I categorically refuse" (Trotsky)3*

3) "For" (Rykov).

4) "I abstain" (Tomsky).

5) "I have no objection" (Kalinin).

6) "I abstain" (Kamenev).

Fond 2, op. 1, d. 26002 - autograph.

1* There are Stalin's notes: "Top Secret. I. Stalin", the words "by telephone" - underlined twice.

2* The phrase is written by Stalin

3* The voting record of Stalin and Trotsky are autographs, the opinions of the other Politburo members are recorded by the secretary.

1Lenin's proposal to appoint two deputy chairmen of the SNK and STO was considered at a meeting of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the RCP(b) on September 14, 1922, and Kamenev's candidacy was approved. In addition, the resolution stated: "6) The Politburo of the Central Committee regrets to note the categorical refusal of Mr. Trotsky and proposes to Mr. Kamenev to take up the post of deputy chairman of the SNC and STO. Kamenev to assume the duties of deputy from the arrival of t. Tsyurupa, c) To grant t. Kamenev a leave of absence until the arrival of Mr. Tsyurupa. Tsyurupa." (RCCHIDNI, f. 17, op. 3, d. 312, l. 4).