Source: Tom 17

September 1, 1929

September 1, 1929.

Greetings, Comrade Molotov!

1) From the NKID communique published in the press, it is clear that my reproach on the Chinese question (see the postscript to my previous letter) is unjustified. It turns out that I did not read the coded message carefully enough. Well then, I am glad of my error and ready to apologize for the undeserved reproach. This, of course, does not mean that Litvinov, Bukharin, and Karakhan have ceased to be opportunists. Not in the least!

2) I read the decision on contracting. A good thing. But I think it is a transitional measure. It seems to me that we will soon have to go further and hand over all procurement in the countryside to the agricultural cooperatives (the Grain Center, etc.), withdrawing from this business the consumer cooperatives and the Grain Union, and turning the Grain Union into a receiver of the procured grain. This is especially necessary after the successes achieved along the lines of contracting. Without such a reform, competition and its consequences are inevitable. We will talk in detail when I arrive in Moscow.

3) Procurement is on the rise. This is very good. If we connect this with the fact that more than 400 million rubles have already been collected under the Third Industrialization Loan, then one can say with confidence that things are going fairly well so far. The main thing now is not to become complacent and to keep pushing things forward.

4) What is going on in the Moscow organization? Why is Bauman beating Polonsky so mercilessly? What is the point of this ugly personal squabble?

Well, so long. I shake your hand.

J. Stalin.

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Source: Letters of J.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925–1936. P. 158–159.

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