410. To N. P. GORBUNOV
29.IX.1921
Comrade Gorbunov:
This business of Kara-Bugaz must be clarified. If you are too busy, you may put this off for a few days, but not more.
Lacis insists in Pravda of 29.IX that it is a “Gold Mine”.[2] Take at the C.P.C. Secretariat my recent correspondence[1] with Professor Ipatiev (member of the S.E.C. Collegium), a specialist and the head of our chemical industry.
His answer to me was: can’t be started at present.
Is it the Central Salt Administration that is making a mistake or someone else?
Do you think that we should take a look at the Administration’s data to see how solid they are, or do something else?
Find out and let me know.
Lenin
Notes
[1] See Document 321 of this volume.—Ed.
[2] The article by M. I. Lacis, Chairman of the Central Salt Administration, entitled “A Gold Mine”, spoke of the importance of Kara-Bugaz, which could yield Glauber’s salt as a major export item. He estimated that it would take 1,500 million rubles in capital investment which would be speedily recouped.