Letter to the Narrow CPC, August 27, 1921

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In contrast to the practice of providing free economic services (transport, including urban transport, housing, posts, newspapers, etc.), established during the War Communism period, charges for rail and water transportation wore introduced on July 9, 1921, postal charges on July 18, prices on goods, including food, on August 5, and charges for municipal services on August 25.

In the second half of 1921, the CPC look a number of measures to improve the workers’ material conditions: it introduced new principles for wage payments in accordance with quantity and quality of labour, payment in money instead of in kind, guaranteed wages (in commodity rubles), etc. As a result, the real earnings of workers had already increased by the end of 1921.

First published in 1945 in Lenin Miscellany XXXV. Printed from the original.

Comrade Kiselyov or his Deputy

as Chairman of the Narrow CPC

August 27, 1921

Comrade Kiselyov:

A number of statements indicate that the introduction of charges (for services, etc.) frequently creates an intolerable situation for the workers.

There is need to elect a commission:

1) two from the All-Russia Central T.U.C.

2) one representative each from the Petrograd and the Moscow Soviet of Deputies

3) two members of the CPC

4) Chairman of the Narrow Council (Comrade Kiselyov) —to preside.

Assignment to the commission:

all-round preparation of the question (and relevant decrees) to the effect that the introduction of charges should be made conformable to the workers’ wages and their condition in general (exemptions for workers, etc., or something of that kind, the dates and conditions on which charges are to be introduced, etc.).

V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Chairman, CPC

P.S. All these questions should be passed only through the Full CPC

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First published in 1933 in Lenin Miscellany XXIII. Printed from the original.

27.VIII.1921

In forwarding the resolution of the Presidium of the Moscow Soviet of Deputies I request both the Chairman and all the members of the Narrow CPC, especially Comrade Goikhbarg, as a lawyer, to pay particular attention to the need for more circumspect, thorough and considered drafting of the text of decrees.

Corrections without end are intolerable.

I also have the impression that a number of recent Narrow Council decrees show signs of haste.

The most serious measures have to be taken against this disorder, so as to prevent even worse protests from the population and the raising in the CC of the matter against the Narrow Council.

V. Ulyanov (Lenin)

Chairman, CPC