Bolshevik Leaders correspondence

Bolshevik leadership Correspondence. 1912-1927
Collection of documents 1996.
Compiled by: A.V.Kvashonkin, L.P.Kosheleva, L.A.Rogovaya, O.V.Khlevnyuk.

No. 218

V. M. Molotov — G. K. Ordzhonikidze

September 9, 1926

Dear Sergo!

As for the wording of the first decision of the PB on your appointment to the North [Northern] Caucasus, there was obviously a mistake 1 . My fault. We didn't mean to offend you, but it was awkward. I hope you will agree that this completely accidental awkwardness should not be regarded otherwise than as an involuntary thing, to which, in our hustle and bustle, we did not attach any importance at the beginning. Now you already have a second resolution - a response to the protest of the Zakkraykom (which, of course, will go to the same addresses as the first resolution) 2. It seems to me that it eliminates any awkwardness that could arise after the first. We all had and still have the full desire that this case does not leave any residue in you. For my part, I hope that you will not stay in the Northern Caucasus for very long and will move to Moscow in the near future.

Our business is going well. There are difficulties (the Far East — with Zhang 3 ; in the economy — it is difficult to get out of export-import[ing] affairs; the growth of unemployment; in the intra-Party — preparations for an offensive are clearly progress in construction and, especially, in party work. I will not write the details, Stalin is generally aware of the latest affairs.

I wish you get well.

9/IX.

Greetings to 3[inaida] Gavrilovna] and friends.

I shake hands with V. Molotov

RTSKHIDNI. F. 85. Op. 25. D. 151. L. 1-3. Autograph.

Notes:

oneOn August 30, 1926, the Politburo accepted the proposal of the North Caucasian Regional Committee of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks to recall Ordzhonikidze from Transcaucasia and approve him instead of Mikoyan, who was transferred to Moscow, as the first secretary of the North Caucasian Regional Committee (F. 17. Op. 3. D. 584 L. 5). On September 4, Stalin, who was on vacation in the south, wrote to Molotov about this decision: “Sergo was with me the other day. He is furious at the wording of the Central Committee's decision to recall him. The wording of the recall is regarded by him as a punishment, as a snap given by the Central Committee for no reason. The phrase that Sergo is being transferred to Rostov “instead of Mikoyan” is considered by him as a hint that Mikoyan is superior to Sergo, that Sergo is suitable only as Mikoyan’s deputy, etc. Stalin proposed a new wording of the decree, which emphasized that all decisions on the appointment were made in agreement with Ordzhonikidze. “The sooner you do this thing, the better, and the new statement will have to be sent out to everyone who received the old statement. You might say it's all nonsense. Maybe. But I must say that this nonsense can seriously damage the case if it is not corrected. Stalin wrote to Molotov (Stalin's Letters to Molotov, pp. 82-83).

On September 1, 1926, members of the Zakkraykom appealed to Stalin with a request to reconsider the decision of the Central Committee to transfer Ordzhonikidze from Transcaucasia. On September 9, the Politburo rejected this request and confirmed its decision on the new appointment of Ordzhonikidze, but this time using the formulations proposed by Stalin (Ibid., pp. 84-86).

3 We are talking about the conflicts between the USSR and the head of the Mukden group, Zhang Zuolin, over the CER.

No. 219

Parkhomenko — G. K. Ordzhonikidze

December 3, 1926

3/XII 26.

Comrade Sergo!

Driven by the interests of a common cause, I would like to share with you the moods and impressions that your arrival at the RCT has generated, and I think that you will not be offended for this.

After your speech at the meeting, the employees (I had to talk to many) believe that in your person the RFL will receive firm, confident leadership, since the prevailing softness of the leadership also introduced uncertainty about the correctness and expediency of the work being done.

It is not for me, of course, to remind you that in addition to firm leadership, what is needed is a comradely attitude towards others, and not depersonalization of them.

Remember the complaints of the inspectors at the meeting that they are being depersonalized, that they do not know the results of their work; Not least in this was Comrade Peters. At the collegium of the RCT on 2/XII from [his] year, I think that you got excited in vain (that's when a hot heart is bad!) And circumcised Peters and Milyutin, I'm sure that at that moment they remembered Ilyich's characterization of you according to " deviant" case.

It seems that you are terrorizing your fellow workers. How else would you explain yourself that Lebed and Romanovsky, who gave the task of the RCT of the RSFSR on “music” at the time when it was attributed to Chutskaev and Peters in their presence, took water in their mouths and did not tell the truth. Than, if not the fear that you will shout at them.

If you restrain the manifestation of this negative trait of your character, all the rest of the evidence for the fact that you will be a good leader.

Do not understand my letter otherwise than as a desire to help the common cause.

With comradely respect, Parkhomenko.

RTSKHIDNI. F. 85. Op. 1/S. D. 52. L. 1-2. Autograph.

No. 220

N. A. Lakoba — G. K. Ordzhonikidze

December 27, 1926

Dear Sergo!

Before undertaking the present letter, I was contemplating whether I should hold on to You or You. I came to the following conclusion: if we take into account the existing relations between us, as well as my “self-confidence” that I will not let Sergo down under any circumstances, I should hold on to you. This is essentially. Where it will be necessary, of course, I will not forget to call you Sergo. But this is already the formal side of things. Such an introduction of mine, you, I know, will meet with a smile and, probably, say: "that's bad." Nevertheless - I still considered this reservation necessary.

And now to business.

I received two letters from you. The first one I received very late. It did not catch me in Sukhum: I was in Tiflis at the plenum of the Central Committee of the KKE. I was informed of the arrival of Comrade Molotov in Tiflis by cipher, and [I] immediately ordered his arrangement. But he was not lucky (to our chagrin) with us. In the Rest House of your name with light at that time, due to the lack of water at the power plant, the situation was not very good. This defect could be quickly corrected by replacing the light bulbs that existed in the House with stronger ones.

Someone (damn it!) from the vacationers assured Molotov that nothing would come of the light before a month - and he left for Gagra.

In Athos, too, there was a curiosity. T. Bargandzhia, who learned about Molotov's desire to stay in Athos, was scared, confused. Obviously, Bargandzhia was not ready to meet Molotov. It turned out that the Af[onian] Rest House was not ready for reception, and that it seemed that some troubles would be required especially for Molotov. Molotov drove off to Gagra, to the House of the Central Executive Committee of the USSR. I found the Sukhumi comrades and Barganjiy (on arrival) completely bewildered and dejected. We quarreled a little among ourselves about this failure. He took the necessary measures to correct it. I went to Gagra to see Molotov. I asked him to go to Sukhum or Athos, but he expressed a wish to stay in Gagra, arguing that there were 7-10 days left until the end of his vacation, and that it was not advisable to move in this short time, etc. I had no choice but to to agree with this position, holding “revenge” in his soul, to lure Comrade Molotov for hunting or to Sukhum for at least 1-2 days and “spoil” the bridge along the way. If the ongoing Abkha[Az] party conference or some other unforeseen circumstance does not interfere, then I will fulfill my “revenge”. In this way I will be able to somewhat make up for our failure, and also to prove to Comrade Molotov that his excessive modesty is not always good. The second (letter) about Comrade Alliluyev I received without delay. I arranged it in the Rest House of your name. - I was very, very happy with these letters: 1) because you have time to remember me, and even write; 2) because I feel very good from your word, you encourage me in my work and 3) because your letters give me a happy opportunity, in turn, without prior hesitation, to write to you.

About our (Abkhazian) affairs.

In short, the state of affairs in Abkhazia in all areas of party[i] and soviet] work must, on the whole, be recognized as satisfactory. 1. Now we have finished county party conferences. Today, 27/XII, the Abkhaz [Az] party conference opens. Unlike past times, at this conference, in addition to our achievements (there are), we note with satisfaction the fact that there is no squabble, national squabble in our organization. Following your directives, we have achieved the creation of normal working conditions in our organization. Mistakes (involuntary), of course, can happen, but if earlier, in the hope that Sergo would settle things, Sergo would correct them, Sergo would answer for us all, etc., we made quite a few of these involuntary mistakes, but now we are trying to make them. as less as possible. 2. The attitude towards us on the part of the Central Committee of the KKE is the most attentive and good. I sincerely declare that Mamiya, Shalva, Lavrenty Kartvelishvili, Misha Kakhiani, Levan Gogoberidze treat us in a comradely, warm way. I hope that we will justify their attitude towards us.

About tobacco.

Judging by the decision of the college of the CNT of the USSR, the prices for tobacco harvest [19]25-[19]26 must be recognized as unacceptable, risky both for industry and [and] for planters in terms of their consequences, which will be revealed next year. The NCT of the USSR accepted last year's cut prices "as having justified themselves sufficiently" and which, with last year's assortment, gave an average of 26 rubles per pood of corded samsun. And this year, the assortment of tobacco for natural reasons (rain, a small number of sunny days) turned out to be significantly lower than last [th] year, and according to the formula of the USSR NKT (last year's sort prices), the planter will receive 26 rubles instead of last year's ] on average, only 23 rubles 25 kopecks. on average per pood of corded samsun. Tobacco processing for a peasant cost 28 rubles per pood (materials of the Georgian NKT SSR).

The Central Committee of the KKE, taking into account the interests of industry and exports, reduced this price to 26 rubles, but with this year's assortment. The price adopted by the Central Committee, in deciphering, means: last year's average price is 26 rubles, but with this year's assortment, that is, this price gives such sorted prices that will be 11.91% higher than last year's. At this price, we have already concluded an agreement with Gruztabtrest for 11,000 poods and with Zakgostorg for 25 rubles per pood of corded cord, with this year's assortment for 150,000 poods. As a compromise, we can agree to the prices at which we have concluded an agreement with Zakgostorg.

Special considerations: 1. The average yield per tithe remains the same this year as it was last year.

2. The cost of processing one pood of tobacco to the planter cost 28 rubles.

3. This year's assortment in terms of meteorological conditions is lower than last year's.

4. The NCTorg of the USSR, in comparison with the previous year, raises prices in the Kuban and Maikop, and this circumstance could not but raise the question of the ratio of prices between Abkhazian and Kuban tobaccos.

5. The NKTorg of the USSR, correcting its last year's mistake in the Kuban (it is doing very well), may make a mistake with regard to Abkhazia this year, so that it may be corrected next year. But such a "deal" can cost both the planter and the industry dearly.

How much did we earn from last year's tobacco?

According to your directive, since last year, we withheld prices in favor of the union of tobacco growers (cooperative accumulation) 1 ruble per pood, which gave over 500,000 ruble. This measure turned out to be quite expedient and not burdensome for the planter, since the assortment of last year's tobacco actually turned out to be somewhat higher than the accepted NKT and, consequently, the planter received on average per pood more than the accepted price of 26 rubles. As for the total profit from the tobacco operation, I will inform you in Moscow, since it has not been accurately calculated at the moment. Roughly, you can take at least one million rubles.

About Tkvarcheli coal.

In accordance with the views you expressed, during your stay in Athos last summer, I took all possible measures to transfer the Tkvarcheli case to practical ground, that is, in the sense of switching to the exploitation of the already surveyed areas (10 square [adratic] versts).

Without cluttering now with listing all our measures in this regard, as well as enumerating the decisions of the Georgian [] and Transcaucasian [] centers, I consider it necessary to send you a letter from Yushkin from Tiflis on this issue, which will allow you to form an opinion on the nature and pace of movement of this case about our centers.

About the Black Sea railway.

Speaking of Tkvarchely, it is impossible not to touch on the current state of affairs on the Black Sea railway. This road is very bad today. For 1926-[192]7, instead of 5 million [ions] rubles, only 2 million [ions] rubles are assigned, depending on this, solid bridge work on the Zugdida-Ochamchira-Kodar section is stopped. 6 1/2 million [ions] r[ubles] would be sufficient to have a road from Zugdidi to Ochamchira in 6 months, which would be very important for Tkvarcheli. Without this condition, by the end (according to the unanimous opinion in Tiflis) [19]28, it is impossible to build a road [from] Ochamchira [to] the Tkvarcheli mines. The Chernomor[skaya] road (according to our information) is in danger of stopping work on it because of the constraint in means, negativity of views, etc. Rykov and Rudzutak and because of the decision to transfer the maximum funds from the NKPS budget to the Semirechinsko-Turkestan-Siberian road. The fate of the Chernomor[skaya] railway should, as it were, be decided at a meeting scheduled for January at the NKPS. Under these circumstances, of course, we are temporarily refusing to work on the northern side, where part of the work between Pilenkovo and Bzyb presents great difficulties, and we insist on concentrating funds on the Zugdidi-Ochamchira-Sukhum section.

These are the questions about which I thought it necessary to inform you. In reserve, for a date with you, I will leave questions about which you can say in your words: "business endures."

And finally, about private matters.

Everyone at home is alive and well. The warmest greetings from me to Saria and Rauf to Zina and Eterke. "Beloved" Maiba looks better "in every sense." He was very happy when I told him that you remember him. Greetings from George Sturua and all the Abkhaz comrades.

The wounded dog has completely recovered after the lesson taught to her, she no longer rushes after the game.

Amayak is staying in Athos, Comrade Kartvelishvili is also expected to come here to rest. As you can see, I'm on a roll: I write and write. Enough of me. I kiss you firmly, firmly, always devoted to you, your N. Lakoba.

PS I think I'll be in Moscow on January 10-12 1 .

RTSKHIDNI. F.85. Op. 1/S. D. 11. L. 17-20. Autograph.

Notes:

1 On the letterhead: “SSR Abkhazia. Council of People's Commissars.