Second, following a series of measures such as regularizing workers’ status, promoting them to higher grades, and increasing the provision of labor protection supplies, the workforce has become more stable than before, and the vast majority of workers remain attached to the coal mine. Third, at present, in addition to complaints about poor-quality equipment and tools and insufficient material supplies, employees are particularly concerned about their living conditions—namely, inadequate food rations, excessively high prices, especially for vegetables, and a wage scale that is too narrowly defined. Moreover, there is also the problem of relatively low treatment for grassroots cadres. Fourth, the high incidence of illness among cadres is another matter worthy of attention.

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Comments on Documents Concerning Several Problems in Kailuan Coal Production (October 15, 1961) Comrade Chen Boda [1]: Please take a look at this document [2]. When you go to Tangshan, please study this issue. Mao Zedong Read on October 15 and returned it to Mao. Printed from the manuscript. Notes [1] Chen Boda was then an alternate member of the CPC Central Political Bureau, Director of the Central Political Research Office, and Mao Zedong’s secretary. [2] Refers to the document “Several Problems Currently Existing in Kailuan Coal Production,” compiled by the Production Office of the State Economic Commission on October 9, 1961, which appeared in Issue No. 310 of the “Briefing on the Situation” edited and printed by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee on October 11. The document pointed out the following problems: First, the relationship between mining and excavation, enterprise management, equipment and materials, and issues related to living conditions and ideological work. The first two are mainly internal matters within the coal mine, while the latter two involve more external relations. The problems concerning personnel and those concerning material resources often alternate as the principal contradiction in any given period. When work among the personnel is done well, problems with materials become more prominent; conversely, if material supplies are improved but the work with personnel is neglected, progress cannot be made. Judging from recent developments, the main factor hindering an increase in coal production levels is still the human element.