From V. I. Lenin, Collected Works, 4th English Edition,
Progress Publishers, Moscow, 1964
Vol. 26, pp. 501-504.
Translated from the Russian
by Yuri Sdobnikov and George Hanna
Edited by George Hanna
MEETING OF PRESIDIUM OF THE PETROGRAD SOVIET WITH |
| |
1. |
ON COMBATING THE FAMINE . . . . . . . . |
501 |
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I . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . |
501 |
2. |
DRAFT RESOLUTION . . . . . .
. . . . . |
503 |
page 501
   
Vladimirov's data indicate that the old ration should not be changed. Measures must be taken to find what there is available in Petrograd.
   
All these data show that the workers of Petrograd are monstrously inactive. The Petrograd workers and soldiers must understand that they have no one to look to but themselves. The facts of abuse are glaring, the speculation, monstrous; but what have the mass of soldiers and workers done about it? You cannot do anything without rousing the masses to action. A plenary meeting of the Soviet must be called to decide on mass searches in Petrograd and the goods stations. To carry out these searches, each factory and company must form contingents, not on a voluntary basis: it must be the duty of everyone to take part in these searches under the threat of being deprived of his bread card. We can't expect to get anywhere unless we resort to terrorism: speculators must be shot on the spot. Moreover, bandits must be dealt with just as resolutely: they must be shot on the spot.
page 502
   
The rich section of the population must be left without bread for three days because they have stocks of other foodstuffs and can afford to pay the speculators the higher price.
OF THE PETROGRAD SOVIET
WITH DELEGATES FROM FOOD SUPPLY
ORGANISATIONS
JANUARY 14 (27), 1918[169]
II
First published in 1924 |
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Published according |
page 503
First published in 1924 |
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Published according |
Notes on |
page 575
[169]
The meeting of the Presidium of the Petrograd Soviet with delegates from food supply organisations discussed the grave food situation of the workers and soldiers of Petrograd who received only a quarter of a pound of bread a day. It heard a report by a representative of the food board on the prospects of better food supplies for Petrograd and a report of the unloading commission. A decision of the Council of People's Commissars on January 19 (February 1) increased the food ration to one-half pound for the whole population of Petrograd.
[p. 501]