Telegram to B.P. Sheboldaev, 22 August 1932

Source: Tom 17

Rostov-on-Don. Kraikom VKP, Comrade Sheboldaev.

Copy: Moscow. CC VKP(b), Comrade Kaganovich.

I received your memorandum on reducing the plan and forwarded it to the CC. I cannot support you in view of the krai's poor work in the area of grain procurement. If the Middle Volga, which suffered drought, delivered 4 million puds in the third five-day period, while your krai did not deliver even 2 million, it means that the kraikom has lost its nerve in the face of difficulties and has surrendered its positions to the apostles of drift, or else the kraikom is being diplomatic and trying to lead the CC by the nose. You will agree that I cannot support you in work of this sort.

Stalin

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich. Correspondence. 1931-1936, pp. 294-295.

RGASPI. F. 558. Op. 11. D. 79. L. 51.

NOTE: On 20 August 1932, Sheboldaev wrote to Stalin about the course of grain procurement. He noted that collective farmers were "working this summer better than last year, but there is heightened wariness toward grain procurement." Kolkhoz members openly said they expected conditions on the North Caucasus to become as dire as in Ukraine. District leaders were refusing to convey the procurement plan to collective farms due to its severity. Sheboldaev asked for a reduction. Stalin was displeased and ordered Pravda to publish a critical piece putting the North Caucasus at the bottom of southern regions for procurement.