Letter to V.M. Molotov (not earlier than August 23, 1930)

Source: Tom 17

Vyacheslav!

1) The results for the ten months show a 26% increase in state industry (instead of 32%). An unsatisfactory result. You speak of counter-industrial-financial plans and a CC appeal. In my opinion, one could go for anything as long as we achieve a 30-32% increase. I am afraid it is too late to speak of this now -- all the same, major changes cannot be introduced before October (end of the fiscal year). But perhaps we should try? Well, try then. Perhaps it is worth trying.

2) We have 1 to 1.5 months remaining for grain exports: from the end of October (and possibly even earlier) American grain will begin arriving on the market in massive quantities, and it will be difficult for us to compete against it. If during these 1 to 1.5 months we do not export 130-150 million poods of grain, our hard-currency position may then become truly desperate. Once again: we must press grain exports with all our might.

3) It is absolutely necessary to arrest Sukhanov, Bazarov, and Ramzin. Sukhanov's wife (a communist!) must be questioned -- she could not have been unaware of the disgraceful things going on in their home. All depositions without exception (both the main ones and the supplementary ones) should be distributed to CC members. That Kalinin is guilty -- there can be no doubt about that. Everything reported about Kalinin in the depositions is the absolute truth. The CC must absolutely be informed of all this, so that in future Kalinin will not dare to consort with swindlers.

4) I received Osinsky's letter about NAMI. Osinsky is wrong. I stand by my opinion. Klim will explain the reasons. What nerve this Osinsky has.

5) I am attaching a clipping about the Mariupol Metallurgical Plant. This is the fourth provocative stunt by that wretched Gipromes. Is it not possible to make an example of the guilty parties? (Pravda, August 23, 1930.)

Well, that is all for now. Warm regards.

Stalin.

Source: Letters of I.V. Stalin to V.M. Molotov. 1925-1936. Pp. 198-199.

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

NOTE

The arrested Kondratyev gave depositions about his meetings with M.I. Kalinin. Kondratyev named the chairman of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR among those individuals whose conversations allowed him to obtain information about the political situation and internal party affairs.

Kalinin instructed his staff to ascertain under what circumstances he had been in contact with Kondratyev. On October 8, 1930, Secretary of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR Enukidze sent a letter to Kalinin, who was on leave in the south: "Regarding the materials you requested, I am informing you that last time I sent you a stenographic record of your report to the 4th Congress of Soviets as well. You spoke of Kondratyev only there. We are sending you today the same report from the newspapers, and also your copy of the 'Depositions.'"