Letter to V.M. Molotov, September 13, 1930

Source: Tom 17

Vyacheslav!!

1) All the depositions of the wreckers concerning fish, canned goods, and vegetables should be published without delay. Why are we pickling them, what is the point of "secrets"? They should be published with a notice that the Central Executive Committee or the Council of People's Commissars has referred the case for the consideration of the OGPU Collegium (which functions as something of a tribunal for us), and then a week later an announcement should be made by the OGPU that all these scoundrels have been shot. They must all be shot.

2) It would also be necessary to publish the depositions of the Intelligence Service agents Neander, Gordon, Bondarenko, Akkerman, Bobrovshchikov, and others concerning the diversionary activities of Vickers employees -- the organizers of explosions, arson, and destruction at our plants and facilities (Jackson, Lomans, Lip, and others). Why is this rich material being kept secret? Now, when negotiations with the British on debts and concessions may begin, it is especially advantageous for us to publish the depositions of Akkerman and others, precisely as depositions (as undeniable documents). These documents could be published (after careful preparation), about 5 days after the publication of the depositions on wrecking in the meat, fish, etc. sectors. For now, we can limit ourselves to publication, without making an announcement about a trial or executions.

3) It goes without saying that both the first and the second group of depositions should be published not "simply," but with a certain introduction from the OGPU (or the People's Commissariat of Justice) and also with a certain commentary from our press (the leitmotif of this commentary being: we have uncovered everything, we know all about the machinations of the bourgeoisie and their brigand-arsonist wreckers, and we will beat them soundly). It is possible that the earlier depositions of Pokrovsky, Strizhov, and others could be added to the depositions of Akkerman and others about the English scoundrels from the Intelligence Service.

4) Concerning Ryutin, I already sent you a cipher telegram.

5) Our central soviet leadership (the Council of Labor and Defense, the Council of People's Commissars, the Conference of Deputy Commissars) is mortally ill. The Council of Labor and Defense has been turned from a businesslike and combative body into an empty parliament. The Council of People's Commissars is paralyzed by Rykov's watery and essentially anti-party speeches. The Conference of Deputy Commissars, which was formerly Rykov-Sokolnikov-Sheinman's staff, now tends to become the staff of Rykov-Pyatakov-Kviring or Bogolepov (I see little difference between the last and the next-to-last), counterposing itself to the Central Committee of the Party. It is clear that things cannot continue this way. Fundamental measures are needed. What kind -- I will explain when I arrive in Moscow. For now, Pyatakov must be watched closely -- this veritable right-wing Trotskyist (a second Sokolnikov), who is currently the most harmful element within the Rykov-Pyatakov bloc, coupled with the defeatist Kondratyev-style moods of the bureaucrats in the Soviet apparatus. It would be good to expedite the return from leave of Sergo and Mikoyan, who together with Rudzutak and Kuibyshev (as well as Voroshilov) would be able to isolate Rykov and Pyatakov in the Council of Labor and Defense and in the Conference of Deputy Commissars.

6) I am now fully recovered.

Warm regards.

I. Stalin.

Source: Letters of I.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925-1936. Pp. 216-217.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 1. D. 5388.

NOTE

On September 20, 1930, the Politburo adopted a resolution "On Wreckers in Meat and Other Sectors," which stated:

"a) To recognize the necessity of immediately publishing the main depositions of wreckers in the case of wrecking in the meat, fish, canned goods, and vegetable sectors.

To accompany this material with a brief introduction from the OGPU, indicating that by resolution of the Central Executive Committee and the Council of People's Commissars of the Union the case has been referred for the consideration of the OGPU;
b) To publish a series of articles explaining the essence of this case and indicating that the work of this counter-revolutionary gang has been fully exposed and that all measures have been taken to rectify the consequences of wrecking. To devote 1.5 pages to this material in the main newspapers of September 22;
c) To instruct a commission consisting of Comrades Menzhinsky, Yaroslavsky, Rykov, and Postyshev to review the material to be published and the text of the OGPU's introduction before publication;
d) Five days later, to publish the OGPU's verdict on the execution of all participants of the wrecking organization."

The depositions of members of the organization of "wreckers of workers' food supply" were published in the newspapers on September 22, 1930. The accompanying notice stated that "the present case has been referred by the Central Executive Committee of the USSR and the Council of People's Commissars of the USSR for the consideration of the OGPU Collegium."

On September 25, information appeared in the newspapers that the OGPU Collegium had sentenced 48 "wreckers of workers' food supply" to execution and that the sentence had been carried out.