Maxim Gorky (Alexei Maximovich Peshkov, 1868-1936)
On the aspirations and potential of homeless children. 1929
Typed letter signed ('M Gorky') to L.F. Litvinov, n.p., 12 June 1929.

In Russian. One page, 256 x 222mm.

Urging greater consideration for the aspirations and potential of homeless children. Gorky responds to the question, 'what is my view of the decision by the Moscow committee to organise floating schools for homeless children'. First, although 'not an economist', he suggests that it is 'an expensive idea, not to mention that it is a cumbersome, difficult affair'. Second, he questions whether the schools would supply a high enough level of qualification for those who have renounced a homeless, vagrant life and have ambitions: 'My observation of homeless people depicts them as people of multifaceted talents ... It seems to me that boys who are physically weak and carry bad heredity – children of syphilitic parents, of alcoholics etc – have already died within their community; the well-preserved, healthy stock that remains must be appraised much higher than we are used to ... You have rightfully noted the love and propensity among the homeless for "adventurism" and "danger", but what is not being taken into account is their aspiration to attain labouring qualifications. Floating schools ... isolate them from the land, and can easily turn those floating schools into prisons. It seems to me infinitely more socially useful and economically cheaper to organise them into groups, to hunt for fur animals and birds ... There also must be organised schools for fishery and fish farming. In spite of the richness of our rivers, seas and lakes, this particular matter is not well organised ...'.

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