V. I. Lenin

Source: ru:LS/v18;en:MT;es:MT
Translated: machine translation (DeepSeek) from the Russian; AI-translated.

§ 1.
In elaboration of the decree on commodity exchange of April 2, 1918,* there is established in the grain-producing rural localities** a compulsory*** procedure for the release of goods of the manufacturing industry**** exclusively***** in exchange for grain and other food products.******
[Note] This procedure for the release of goods applies [simultaneously to the Co-operatives also] immediately to the co-operatives and to all state, public and private institutions.

§ 2.
This decree shall be put into effect for the gubernias of Penza, Saratov, Simbirsk, Kazan, Ufa, Perm, Vyatka,
* ((1918)) inserted by Lenin in the original; omitted in the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes. Ed.
** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes the words: “in the grain-producing rural localities” are replaced by the words: “in the rural localities of grain-producing gubernias and uyezds”. Ed.
*** Underlined by Lenin. Ed.
**** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes the words: “and all non-agricultural products in general” are added. Ed.
***** Underlined by Lenin. Ed.
****** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes the words: “as well as hemp, flax, hides, etc.” are added and underlined. Ed.

Tula, 
Orel, Kursk, Voronezh, Tambov gubernias.
Note 1: By a special decision of the [Gubernia Food Committee, confirmed by the People’s Commissariat for Food] People’s Commissariat for Food, the operation of this decree may be extended also to the grain-producing uyezds and volosts of other gubernias [specifically for supplying the consuming part thereof].
Note 2: In the consuming rural localities the satisfaction of the population’s needs for goods of the manufacturing industry shall be carried out on the general basis of supply.

§ 3.
From August 15, the gubernia, uyezd and district co-operative unions of the localities enumerated above have the right to release goods of the manufacturing industry to individual co-operatives (consumers’ societies, credit and agricultural associations) only upon the presentation by the latter of grain-receipt certificates showing that these co-operatives or their members have delivered to the collection points of the Gubernia Food Committee the corresponding quantity of grain, fodder cereals and other food products.

§ [6] 4.*
In all the indicated localities which have surpluses of agricultural products, the rural co-operatives, state, public and private trading institutions shall pay to the bodies supplying them with goods (district, uyezd or gubernia co-operative unions, Uyezd Food Committees or Gubernia Food Committees) in agricultural products, the total value of which must be not less than [50%] 85% of the goods released to the population,— the remainder in currency. Exceptions are permitted only on the grounds set forth below.

§ [4] 5.
The village poor, the proletarian elements of the village (workers and small artisans) and persons of the liberal professions living on wages, shall have the right in the grain-producing gubernias
* In the draft paragraph “4” was “6”, the rearrangement of §§ 4, 5, 6 was made by Lenin. Ed.

DECREE ON COMPULSORY COMMODITY EXCHANGE
to pay for goods released within the distribution norms in currency, provided, however, that the total sum of products received by the entire rural community is not less than 50% * of the value of the goods released. The drawing up of lists of persons entitled to pay in currency for goods received is entrusted to the committees of the village poor, and in those places where the latter are not organised,— to the local Soviets of Deputies.**

§ [5] 6.
The local gubernia and uyezd Food Committees *** in agreement with the co-operative unions shall determine those co-operatives which, although located in rural localities, consist predominantly of persons not engaged in agriculture, or are in localities with a poor harvest, and therefore have the right to receive goods from the unions and associations on the former basis, without presenting grain-account certificates or with a reduction in the percentage of grain and other food products compulsory for delivery.

§ 7.
The receipt of grain and other [food] products is carried out directly by the co-operatives or collection points with the issue to the delivering person of a personal control receipt. All grain received **** passes fully into the disposal of the Gubernia Food Committee.

§ 8.
Settlement at the collection points for grain***** and between co-operatives and unions for goods released is made at prices established by the laws and regulations in force or which may subsequently be issued, by means of cash payment or credit settlements on a general basis.
* In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes: “85%”. Ed.
** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes follows: “Note: Uyezd associations of co-operatives are granted the right to apply to the local Gubernia Food Committees with reasoned petitions for a reduction of this % to 50, depending on local conditions.” Ed.
*** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes: “Gubernia Food Committees”. Ed.
**** In the printed text and in the minutes of the Council of People’s Commissars instead of “All grain received”... — “all products received”. Ed.
***** In the printed text the words: “and other products” are added. Ed.

§ 9.
Within the limits of the grain-account certificates presented, each co-operative has the right to receive rationed products according to the quota due to it (by the number of the population of the rural community it serves) established by the food organs. *
§ 10.
Guidance and control over the delivery and receipt of grain and other food products, over the distribution of goods of the manufacturing industry 
is exercised by the Gubernia Food Committee ** through its agents and through the volost committees of the poor, and where they are not organised,— through the Volost Soviets of Deputies.
§ 11.
In the event of evasion by co-operative organisations of the said rules of commodity exchange or non-fulfilment thereof, they shall, in addition to the liability indicated below, be deprived of the right to receive goods from the co-operative associations.
§ 12.
In each co-operative union or association there shall be introduced **** account books for recording all goods received; in addition, a special account shall be opened for each rural community, to the debit of which shall be entered the sum of goods released, and to the credit the sum of the value of agricultural products delivered or grain-account receipts of the collection points of the Gubernia Food Committee.*****
* In the printed text and in the minutes of the Council of People’s Commissars § 9 is formulated as follows: “Within the limits of the value of products delivered according to the account receipts (§ 3) each co-operative receives industrial products necessary for the rural population (agricultural machinery, iron, textiles, footwear, kerosene, etc.) in the amount due to the co-operative in proportion to the population it serves.” Ed.
** In the printed text the words: “and the Uyezd Food Committee” are added. Ed.
*** In the printed text and in the text of the Council of People’s Commissars minutes the following paragraph is added at the beginning of the §: “1) Immediately upon the publication of this decree, the co-operatives undertake to deliver to the food organs information on all goods on hand through the co-operative associations.” Ed.
**** In the printed text: “to introduce”. Ed.
***** In the printed text instead of the word “Gubernia Food Committee” — “(§ 3 of the decree)”. Ed.

DECREE ON COMPULSORY COMMODITY EXCHANGE
These receipts shall be kept by the unions and, together with inventories, shall be handed over against receipt to the Gubernia Food Committees.
§ 13.
For the development of grain-collection operations * and the successful development of commodity exchange on the bases indicated above, the co-operative associations of the grain-producing regions, acting on the basis ** and with the rights of agents of the food organisations, shall be granted the necessary advances for the procurement of grain.***
§ 14.
All food organisations and Soviets of Deputies are charged with the duty of strictly supervising the exact fulfilment of this decree.
In the event of violation by co-operative associations of the said rules of commodity exchange, the goods belonging to them shall be requisitioned, and the members of the Board shall be answerable before the Revolutionary Tribunal. Members of the Collegia of the food organs and of the Executive Committees of the Soviets of Deputies who do not implement this decree shall be brought before the Revolutionary Tribunal.****
* In the printed text the words: “development of grain-collection operations” are omitted. Ed.
** In the printed text “on the basis” is omitted. Ed.
*** In the printed text the words: “shall be granted the necessary advances for the procurement of grain” are replaced by the words: “shall be granted credit in kind or in money”. Ed.
**** In the printed text the last paragraph is formulated as follows: “For violation by individual co-operatives and co-operative associations of the said rules of commodity exchange, the members of the board shall be brought before the revolutionary tribunal and may be replaced by other persons appointed by the Soviet power, in the event of the Centrosoyuz failing to appoint reliable substitutes, and, in addition, the co-operative institutions may be fined. Likewise, members of Soviet, public and private institutions shall be brought before the revolutionary tribunal for non-fulfilment of this decree.” Ed.