92. To A. G. SHLYAPNIKOV

Written on May 28, 1918 · First published in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth Ed., Vol. 50. Printed from the original. · page 95

Shlyapnikov

The Central Committee has passed a decision to direct the maximum number of Party workers to the food front.

For obviously we shall perish and ruin the whole revolution if we do not conquer famine in the next few months.

It is essential that you be temporarily employed on food supply (while retaining the rank of People’s Commissar for Labour). I am confident that you will carry out the directive of the C.C.

I think that you ought to go to the Kuban to help pump grain out from there.

You must decide today and make immediate arrangements with Tsyurupa.