Letter to L.M. Kaganovich, V.M. Molotov, 20 July 1932

Source: Tom 17

To Kaganovich. Molotov.

I am writing to both of you together, since there is little time before the courier departs.

1. Capital construction must definitely be reduced by a minimum of 500-700 million. It is impossible to reduce spending on light industry, ferrous metallurgy, or the People's Commissariat of Transport. Everything else (even something from military affairs), especially state farm construction and the like, must definitely be cut to the fullest extent.

2. I am against purchasing ships abroad. It would be much better to buy equipment for non-ferrous metallurgy enterprises (copper, tin, aluminum, magnesium, gold, zinc, etc.).

3. Recently there has been an increase, firstly, in the theft of freight on the railways (tens of millions of rubles are being stolen), and secondly, in the theft of cooperative and collective farm property. These thefts are organized primarily by kulaks (dekulakized elements) and other anti-social elements who are trying to undermine our new order. Under the law, these gentlemen are treated as ordinary thieves, receiving two to three years in prison (formally!), while in practice they are amnestied after 6-8 months. Such a regime with regard to these gentlemen -- which cannot be called socialist -- only encourages what is in essence their genuine counter-revolutionary "work." It is impossible to tolerate this situation any longer. I propose the adoption of a law (derogating from or repealing existing laws) that would:
a) equate in significance railway freight, collective farm property, and cooperative property with state property;
b) punish the plundering (theft) of property of the specified categories with a minimum of ten years' imprisonment, and as a rule with the death penalty;
c) abolish the application of amnesties to criminals of such "professions."

Without these (and similar) draconian socialist measures, it is impossible to establish new public discipline, and without such discipline it is impossible to defend and strengthen our new order.

I think that the adoption of such a law must not be delayed.

4. The decree on collective farm trade will undoubtedly to a certain extent revive kulak elements and profiteers-resellers. The former will try to confuse the collective farmer and incite him to leave the collective farm. The latter will squeeze into any crack and attempt to redirect trade onto their own tracks. Obviously, we must root out this scum. I propose instructing the OGPU and its local organs:
a) to place the countryside under strict surveillance, and all active preachers against the new collective farm order, active preachers of the idea of leaving the collective farms -- to seize and send to concentration camps (individually);
b) to place markets and bazaars under strict surveillance, and all profiteers and resellers, unless they are collective farmers (collective farmer-profiteers are better handed over to the collective farm comrades' court) -- to seize, confiscate, and send to concentration camps.

Without these (and similar) measures, it is impossible to strengthen the new order and the new, Soviet trade.

The OGPU and its organs must immediately set about preparing their forces and studying the enemy. Operations may begin in a month, not sooner.

5. I wrote to you about the reorganization of the People's Commissariat of Agriculture and the creation of a new commissariat. I think that if you agree with my proposal, implementation can be deferred until the autumn, while preparatory work (selection of leadership cadres, etc.) proceeds in the meantime.

Greetings!

I. Stalin

20/VII-32

---

Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, pp. 235-236.

RGASPI. F. 81. Op. 3. D. 99. L. 106-113.