369. To THE ORGANISING BUREAU OF THE C.C., R.C.P.(B.)[1]
To the Orgbureau of the C.C.: a general strike in Tver, then in Klin, all this is creating an extremely menacing situation. The following measures must he urgently discussed:
to help the textile workers
emergency measures are needed:
when will you discuss?
a
food
1) See that the textile
workers (pay attention) are
provided with food at
operating factories.
2) Mobilisation of textile
workers ... (10,000) to be
reviewed.
Tver (and Klin) especially
railwaymen and Red Army
men
to be supplied with food
and taken care of.
3) Distribution of newspapers
and posters, lectures, step
up the work of the People’s
The Tver Military
Commissar is too inexperienced
in military matters; he is
very good, but requires
assistance.
Commissariat for
Education.
4) Tickets (daily) on railways
for members of the C.C. of
trade union executives.
The ignorance of the textile workers is appalling.
No one takes care of them, they have no newspapers, no
N. B. |||
posters. Something more must be done to improve the food
situation, something like purchases, etc.
Notes
[1] Lenin wrote this letter in connection with the strike of workers at a number of enterprises of Tver Gubernia. The strike, which broke out in the middle of June 1919 and lasted several days, was caused by dissatisfaction among the workers over the reduction of the bread ration and food supplies. Counter-revolutionary elements tried to take advantage of the economic difficulties of the Soviet Republic in order to inflame anti-Soviet sentiments.
The question of the food strikes was discussed at joint meetings of the Politbureau and Orgbureau of the C.C., R.C.P.(B.) on June 18 and 24, 1919. Special measures were taken to improve the position of the workers of the textile district.