This year the work of the OGPU corrective labor camps has been proceeding under extremely unfavorable conditions. With the main construction sites being moved to the Far Eastern territory, the situation is becoming even more complicated, for the bulk of the work will be conducted in the harsh zones of marshes and permafrost. To accomplish the increased tasks in time, it is necessary to raise the productivity of labor and minimize the percentage of the sick and the weak in the labor force. Thus, supplying the prisoners with food, clothes, and footwear becomes extremely important. However, compared with 1932, this year supplies to the camps have diminished. The existing food rations are significantly less than in 1932. The strict allowances for material supplies, established by the Committee of Merchandise Funds, are not observed. The established allowances for material supplies are greatly reduced. Camp requisition lists, which are compiled according to existing allowances, are drastically cut.

As a result, the camps did not receive 4 million meters of cotton cloth in 1933, or 300,000 rubles' worth of footwear. Despite the growing camp contingent, the Committee of Merchandise Funds approved a supply of goods for the first quarter [of 1934] that is significantly less than that for the first quarter of 1933. These supplies do not satisfy even minimal camp demands. For example, the approved 80,000 pairs of shoes is not sufficient even for the contingent of the Far East. This situation can lead to exhaustion and disease in the camps and prevents the utilization of the entire workforce, because part of it inevitably is left without clothes.

Those at the OGPU camps, while working to fulfill construction tasks, persistently labor to create their own food base. Owing to the intensive development of agriculture—livestock husbandry foremost—the camps have quickly (in one–one and one-half years) resolved the meat problem. They are now completely independent of state meat supplies. This year the products of the fishing enterprises begun in 1932–33 fully satisfied the demands of camp contingents. The camps exchange high-quality fish for cheaper kinds from the state to be used for mass consumption. The vegetables grown in the camps cover 70 percent of their demands, which has significantly decreased the state supply of potatoes and vegetables.

For the first time, the camps of Central Asia started producing their own cotton, which will give the state 9 million meters of cloth in 1933. The cotton production in 1934 is projected at 15 million meters, while the camps' demand is 25 million meters. The camps give all cotton wool to the state.

The camps produce a large number of bast shoes for prisoners not employed in earth moving.

Thus, everything possible is being done to make the camps self-sufficient.

I request the following:

1. Review the existing food supply allowances for prisoners and establish the following allowances per person per month (in kilograms):

The requested allowances are still significantly less than those in 1932.

2. Provide the 4 million meters of cloth and 300,000 rubles' worth of footwear that were not delivered as approved for 1933.

3. Establish the central fund to supply materials for 550,000 prisoners in 1934, according to the 3 February resolution by the Committee of Merchandise Funds.

4. Reconsider the decision by the Committee of Merchandise Funds to supply only 30 percent of the annual supply of cotton cloth and footwear to the camps in the first quarter of 1934.

The 13 December 1933 Gulag report to Yagoda gave a detailed analysis of the situation regarding the funds for cloth, blankets, and footwear in the first quarter of 1934. Owing to general shortages, the initial requests by the camps were drastically cut: three and a half times less cloth was provided, not a single pair of knee-high boots was provided out of the requested 80,000 pairs, and only 70,000 pairs of lace-up boots were provided out of 120,000 requested. Gulag leaders reported that, as a result of such supplies, some of the prisoners “would inevitably be undressed.” (GARF, f. R-9414, op. 1, d. 1913, ll. 9–10).