Petrograd Labour Commune

Categories / City Administration/Government Bodies
PETROGRAD LABOUR COMMUNE, the name of Petrograd Soviet since March of 1918, after the Soviet government had been transferred to Moscow. The functions of the Executive Committee of Petrograd Labour Commune were performed by Commissars' Soviet. The Executive committee departments were transformed into 9 commissariats in charge of education, finances, press and agitation, municipal services, justice, foodstuffs, the military district of Petrograd, national economy matters, social assistance, means of communication. Each commissariat was headed by a commissar. The staff of the commune comprised 615 persons. During the Civil War, the primary activity of Commissars' Soviet was directed against hunger and economical dislocation. The commissariat on national economy matters tried to transport fuel and food supplies to the city. Aiming at famine relief, the commissariat of foodstuffs together with the commissariat on national economy matters carried out the supervision over production and distribution of food in 1918. In addition to that, the catering facilities system was established, as well as centralized bread baking, free meals were organized for children, etc. On the initiative of Commissars' Soviet food detachments were formed of workers and sent for procuring food to grain-growing provinces. In the fall of 1918 by the decision of Commissars' Soviet working class families started to move from slums and cellars into expropriated downtown apartments. In February of 1919, Petrograd Soviet resumed its original form.

References: Гоголевский А. В. Петроградский Совет в годы гражданской войны. Л., 1982.

Y. N. Kruzhnov. Гоголевский А. В. Петроградский Совет в годы гражданской войны. Л., 1982