Abridged recording of a conversation Stalin with V.L. Komarov
Source: Stalin I.V. Works. - T. 18. - Tver: Information and Soyuz Publishing Center, 2006, pp. 351–354.
Abridged recording of a conversation with V.L. Komarov
(V.L. Komarov - President of the USSR Academy of Sciences from December 29, 1936 to July 17, 1945.)
November 13, 1944
(6 hours 45 minutes - 7 hours 45 minutes in the evening).
Komarov . I sincerely thank you, Iosif Vissarionovich, for the high award. You have always helped me at a decisive moment, and now you have so highly, undeservedly highly appreciated my merits. For the first time in my person, a botanist was awarded the high title of Hero of Socialist Labor. I see this as a manifestation of constant attention and concern for Soviet science. Scientists justify this concern, but personally I must say again that the assessment of my merits seems to me extremely high, I would say undeservedly high.
Komarov . I want to take advantage of the conversation with you to consult on the following issue. In accordance with our national policy, the Academy of Sciences has created a number of local branches, from which national academies of sciences have grown. All this creates the need to coordinate scientific work in the country. It is necessary to unite and link the scientific activities of the republican academies, to help them in research work and in the publication of scientific papers, as well as in the training of national scientists. I talked about this with leading comrades in the national republics where I happened to visit this summer, and met with complete sympathy. I would like to know your opinion.
It would be necessary to create a Council of the Academy of Sciences consisting of the presidents of the Academy of Sciences and the republican academies of sciences.
Stalin . I fully agree with this proposal, but it must be borne in mind that our All-Union Academy of Sciences must lead the republican academies and help them in the same way that our union state helps its constituent republics. Therefore, the leading role of the Academy of Sciences of the USSR must be ensured in every possible way and, perhaps, it is best to create the Council proposed by you at the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
Komarov . The next question I would like to put before you put, associated with the forthcoming spring of 1945, the 220th anniversary of the founding of the Academy of Sciences. The celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Academy of Sciences took place in the spring of 1925. I would like to celebrate this significant date with a great scientific holiday.
Stalin . Of course, this must be done.
Komarov . Is it possible to invite scientists from abroad?
Stalin . Can.
Komarov . This holiday, it seems to me, will be of great social significance, as it will demonstrate the historical contribution that Russian science and, in particular, the work of the Academy of Sciences has made to world scientific thought. At the same time, the development of advanced Soviet science and culture and the role of scientific creativity in the state building of the USSR will be shown.
Stalin . I completely agree with you and support your proposal.
Komarov . In 1945, another significant anniversary is also celebrated - the centenary of the existence of the Geographical Society under the USSR Academy of Sciences. This date should be noted.
Stalin . Correctly. This should be done.
Komarov. Now I want to share with you my thoughts on the development of such an important branch of science as the history of natural science. The war, it seems to me, showed how important it is for the state to preserve the cultural past of the people in the people's memory. In addition, it is necessary to ensure the leading role of Soviet science in research on the history of natural science, both world and Russian. I want to acquaint you with a letter sent to me by the oldest Russian scientists - academicians V.I. Vernadsky, N.D. Zelinsky. They ask me to organize the Institute of the History of Natural Science and head this institute. In addition, it would be extremely useful to publish a periodical collection devoted to the history of natural science "Scientific Heritage" in order to publish research and documents on the history of science there.
Stalin . I am surprised that there is still no such Institute in the Academy of Sciences. This is a very important matter. Young people in particular should know the history of science. I fully support your proposal.
Komarov . Now I would like to report to you on the prospects for scientific assistance to the oil industry. In Baku, After consulting with Comrade Bagirov, I decided to organize a special Commission at the Academy of Sciences for the scientific service of the immediate tasks of the oil industry. This matter dragged on a bit, but we have already sent two expeditions to the Absheron Peninsula. I would like to know your opinion: should we deal with this matter?
Stalin . That's right, this is what needs to be done. However, I would like to warn you not to get too carried away with deep horizons. Oil should be sought in areas where it can be obtained at relatively shallow depths.
I would like to put some problems before you. It would be necessary to find new sources of iron ore to supply the Leningrad industry in order to avoid long-distance shipments of ore to Leningrad. The search for iron ores should be launched in the areas of Lake Onega, Ladoga and to the north of them. It would be possible to create a metallurgical base for the Leningrad industry on the basis of these sources of ore. In this case, coal could also be brought in from new pools located relatively close to Leningrad.
Komarov . The Council for the Study of the Productive Forces of the USSR Academy of Sciences has already accumulated extensive experience and has some achievements in organizing similar geological and complex surveys. Academician A.E. Fersman, working in the SOPS, conducted a search for ore minerals in the areas you named before the war. We will instruct him and other scientists to develop these studies, and I hope to report to you soon about the favorable results of the search undertaken.
Stalin . Now it is necessary to ensure the full supply of Soviet scientists with scientific literature that goes abroad. Scientists must know the scientific output of both our friends and our enemies. In addition, it is necessary to supply our institutes and laboratories with property and equipment through imports. No expense should be spared in this matter. This will pay off handsomely. I would ask you to think about how to organize the immediate delivery of the necessary literature and equipment for Soviet scientists, and we will help you.
By the way, I would like to know your assessment of the state of science in Germany.
Komarov . As far as I know, some research on particular issues related to military equipment is still being carried out in Germany, and they are of undoubted interest to us. However, in general, the Nazis to such an extent expelled and exterminated everything that it was better in German science that now Germany has become a country of scientific desolation and paralysis of science. Having lost such a genius as Einstein, having destroyed scientific centers, having exterminated the best part of the intelligentsia, Germany has been thrown back scientifically.
Is it possible after the war to equip and send on an expedition to the southern countries a special ship to replenish the loss of greenhouse plants of the Botanical Institute in Leningrad, which occurred as a result of enemy bombing and shelling?
Stalin . This can be done. Tell me, does the Leningrad climate interfere with the development of the botanical garden?
Komarov . The Leningrad Botanical Garden has existed for 120 years. However, let me think about your question.
I took away from you, Joseph Vissarionovich, precious time ...
Stalin . The issues we have discussed are among the most important state affairs. I ask you to continue to contact me and I will be glad to see you.
Zhdanov Yu.A. A look into the past. pp. 178–181.
ARAN. F. 277. Op. 3. D. 197. L. 1–6.
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