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. 221

M. M. Lashevich — G. K. Ordzhonikidze

January 4, 1927

4/1 1927

Dear Sergo!

In the name of fairness, I must say that everything that I have written regarding the content refers to the Administration of the road not less, but, perhaps, to a greater extent 1 .

I'm not particularly pleased to start a correspondence with this topic, but what can you do?

Last year, the Presidium of the Central Control Commission adopted a resolution according to which we were given a salary of 320 rubles and for expenses associated with representative offices at 180 rubles per month 2. Moreover, this is for all members of the board of the CER and for the deputy chairman, as well as for members of the Audit Committee. I am here recently, but I categorically assure you that this is impossible to enforce. I understand and wholeheartedly support the desire of the Central Control Commission to set the life of our public abroad on track, but I affirm that it is impossible to make a sharp turn all at once. When I was informed of the decision, I declared: in that case, no receptions, banquets, etc., etc. Absolutely all the comrades spoke out against this, and we agreed on one thing: to gradually reduce the number and splendor of all receptions and banquets, without offending the pride of the Chinese. But what can you do if every reception they have is associated with champagne.

I arrived at 8 o'clock in the morning, and at the station the official meeting began with champagne, the same when I paid visits to all Chinese officials. And I always have champagne when I visit. Well, will anyone believe that we are lovers of this swill? Everyone knows that I prefer vodka: it's cheaper and healthier. Yes, and I drink a little - I'm sick. If it is difficult in general for all members of the board, then it is impossible for me, as a comrade chairman, to live on this content. What happens, it’s not enough that I was driven into this swamp - Harbin, deprived of any publicity, not to mention more, and put in a position significantly worse than in Moscow. In this situation, no one can demand from me a lowering of the standard of living. In Moscow, my wife and I received together 400-450 rubles. Now I get 320 [roubles], but she can't work. After all, for the outside world I receive 20 thousand [rubles] of salary and 15 thousand for representation. I am a "dignitary", how will my wife work? This means that my salary was reduced compared to Moscow.

How should I live? Have I ever dressed like this? Business cards, tailcoat, tuxedo, starched shirts, patent leather shoes and other dirty tricks. You can’t refuse this, you can run into a scandal. And in Moscow I flaunted in a tunic and overcoat. In Moscow, I lived in the Kremlin, enjoyed free medical care and medicines, but here you pay for everything. I have an apartment with 10 rooms, three Chinese servants. Do I need this? Why, for this I should be awarded an order, for the suffering that I experience when I find myself in this terrible situation.

In a word, Sergo, I can’t live on 380 rubles a month, and no 180 rubles will be enough for a representative.

What is left for me to do? To take it in advance and not return it is even worse debauchery. For representation, I must report to Rudzutak. This is also an unenforceable order. Or I can immediately report for any period. For example: champagne - 50 roubles, cognac - 20 [roubles], chocolate, sweets, charitable expenses, etc., etc. Who needs this? Is it really possible in Moscow to check how many receptions I had? My request is to free me from these "trifles of everyday life."

According to the general opinion, the minimum minimum, all party authorities here agree with this, is: maintenance - 500 rubles [rubles] and representative [rubles] - 250 [rubles] for the deputy chairman, and for members and the revision [ion] committee [et] the same content and "reduced" representative. I have already taken an advance payment for the month of December, and it will continue to be so. Understand what position I'm in. I ask you to agree to this. Please, if necessary, show my letter to the members of the Presidium of the Central Control Commission. I have modest habits, I am not spoiled and not yet spoiled enough in terms of extravagance and excess. I've been drinking and drinking. But everyone knows that I am not a fan of taverns, but I like to drink with my guys at home. And if you have to communicate with any bastard, then this is a feat. And if you saw who I have to shake hands with, talk to, and even dine with, it's terrible. Why worsen the general standard of living and forced to cheat? I do not understand.

I request you to kindly reconsider this issue. Believe that it is impossible otherwise. Report solutions. In the meantime, I will replenish my budget in advance.

I hold my hands tightly. While I feel bad. Conversations with the Chinese are sheer agony and it is very difficult for me to get used to it.

Well, all the best, and how I envy you, who live in Russia.

Hello to all comrades.]

Yours Mikhail (Lashevich).

PS Please do not delay the answer. A whole group of comrades is interested in it.

RTSHIDNI; F. 85. Op. 1/S. D. 54. L. 1-4. Autograph.

Notes:

1 This is the Chinese Eastern Railway Administration (CER).

2 The question of the rates of senior officials of the CER was considered by the Secretariat of the Central Control Commission of the All-Union Communist Party of Bolsheviks on June 26 and August 25, 1926. As a result, senior officials of the Soviet government representation on the CER were allowed to receive no more than 320 rubles. in red terms. Members of the board of the road, the manager and one member of the audit commission were allowed to keep up to 500 rubles. on average per month as an advance on entertainment expenses (RTSKHIDNI. F. 613. On. 1. D. 46. L. 70, 226).