289. To V. M. MOLOTOV

Written in July, not before the 29th, 1921 · First published in 1965 in Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Ed., Vol. 53. Printed from the original. · page 234

Comrade Molotov:

I wrote you about the need to punish Badayev (for frustrating the C.L.D. decision; fulfilled by the Muscovites).^[1] You have not replied.

Such things must he settled speedily.

Kamenev and Zinoviev agree. Write the minutes of the Politbureau decision for the passage through the Presidium of the All-Russia C.E.C.: “For failure to fulfil a C.L.D. decision (on reducing rations by 30 per cent)—which the Muscovites have carried out—Comrade Badayev + two of his closest assistants shall be placed under detention for one Sunday.”

That will give us “control”!!

Lenin

Notes

[1] See V. I. Lenin, Collected Works, Fifth (Russian) Edition, Vol. 53, Document 94.—Ed.