80. To THE NARROW C.P.C.

First published in 1932 in Lenin Miscellany XX. Printed from the original. · page 92

I think we should allow greater quantities to be transported.^[1]

Your fear of speculation is excessive.

Will it be so bad if they exchange individually for grain? The peasants will obtain footwear and clothing. What we should fear is mass speculation, and we cannot allow speculation on a professional basis. But we should not hamper but encourage importation into poverty-stricken Russia.

Please review.

3/III.1921.

Lenin

Notes

[1] A reference to a draft C.P.C. decree “On the Admission of Russian Workers and Émigrés Returning from Abroad and of Their Belongings”, which was prepared by the Narrow C.P.C. on March 2, 1921. It strictly limited the quantity of things—suits, footwear, linen, etc.—which the workers arriving in Russia could bring with them. Following Lenin’s remarks in this note, the Narrow C.P.C. decided, on March 3, to delete the clause restricting the quantity of personal belongings brought in.