Letter to L.M. Kaganovich, August 17, 1931

Source: Tom 17

Greetings, Comrade Kaganovich!

1) I am returning the draft CC resolution on public catering with my remarks and corrections in the text.

2) I did not receive a draft CC resolution on cooperation.

3) I advise subjecting Comrade Syrtsov's memorandum on timber to discussion. It is possible that it contains sound elements.

4) I propose that the question of Ramishvili's departure abroad (into emigration) be deferred until the autumn, until the Politburo members return from leave.

5) A distressing impression is produced by Comrade Kuibyshev's memorandum and by his behavior in general. It looks as though he is running away from work. On the other hand, Comrade Ordzhonikidze is still behaving badly. The latter apparently does not realize that his behavior (with its attacks against Comrades Molotov and Kuibyshev) objectively undermines our leading group, which was historically formed in the struggle against all varieties of opportunism, and creates the danger of its destruction. Does he really not understand that on this path he will find no support whatsoever from us? What nonsense!

6) It is now clear to me that Kartvelishvili and the secretariat of the Georgian CC have, through their reckless "grain procurement policy," driven a number of districts in Western Georgia to the point of famine. They do not understand that Ukrainian methods of grain procurement, which are necessary and expedient in grain-producing regions, are inexpedient and harmful in non-grain-producing regions that, moreover, have no industrial proletariat whatsoever. They arrest people by the hundreds, including Party members who clearly sympathize with the discontented and do not sympathize with the "policy" of the Georgian CC. But arrests alone will not get you far. The delivery of grain must be intensified (accelerated!) immediately, without delay. Without this, we may face bread riots, despite the fact that the grain problem has already been resolved in our country. Let the Politburo, immediately upon receipt of this letter, oblige Mikoyan to intensify the delivery of grain to Western Georgia and to personally oversee its execution. Otherwise we will certainly face a political scandal.

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Source: Stalin and Kaganovich: Correspondence, 1931-1936, pp. 50-51.

RGASPI. F. 81. Op. 3. D. 100. L. 101-102.