Letter to L.M. Kaganovich, V.M. Molotov (earlier than 24 July 1932)

Source: Tom 17

Comrades Kaganovich. Molotov.

1. If there are objections to my proposal on adopting a law against the plundering of cooperative and collective farm property and freight on transport, give the following explanation.

Capitalism could not have defeated feudalism, it would not have developed and grown strong, if it had not declared the principle of private property the foundation of capitalist society, if it had not made private property sacred property, the violation of whose interests is most strictly punished, and for the defense of which it created its own state.

Socialism will not be able to finish off and bury the capitalist elements and the individualistic-grabbing habits, customs, and traditions (which serve as the basis for theft) that undermine the foundations of the new society unless it declares public property (cooperative, collective farm, state) sacred and inviolable. It cannot consolidate and develop the new order and socialist construction unless it protects the property of collective farms, cooperatives, and the state with all its might, unless it breaks the desire of anti-social, kulak-capitalist elements to plunder public property. This is why a new law is needed. We do not have such a law. This gap must be filled. The new law could be called something like: "On the Protection of the Property of Public Organizations (collective farms, cooperatives, etc.) and the Strengthening of the Principle of Public (Socialist) Property." Or something to that effect.

If the proposal is accepted, send me a (preliminary) draft of the law.

2. In response to your letter, I wrote at some point that capital investments should be reduced by 500-700 million rubles across all sectors, with the exception of the People's Commissariat of Transport, ferrous metallurgy, and light industry. To avoid misunderstandings, I am informing you that by light industry I also had in mind the food industry (sugar, canning, etc.).

Greetings!

I. Stalin

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, pp. 240-241.

RGASPI. F. 81. Op. 3. D. 100. L. 137-140.

NOTE: On the first page of the document, at the top, is the inscription: "In favor -- Molotov, Kuibyshev, Voroshilov, Kalinin."