Harrisburg telegraph. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1879-1948, 1918-05-31
A LESSON FROM RUSSIA


"HAT no country can be run on
the mistaken theory that work
= is a crime and that the average
citizen must be in a place of power
and authority has been demonstrated
by the absolute collapse of the So
called Bolsheviki government in
Russia. Radical socialism has had
its knockout in that unfortunate
country.
The Bolsheviki finance minister
declared, in a formal report to the
central executive committee of the
Council of Workmen's and Soldiers
Delegates on the financial condition
of the country. that the semi-yearly
expenditure, would amount to 40,-
100000 rubles and that the income
would amount to about 100000
rubles, with no other sources or loans
obtainable. He said the railroads
of the country were carrying 70
per cent less freight. while the oper-
alton a verst cost 10000 rubles,
against 1850 formerly. Wages of
employees. M. Gukovksy said, had
been increased several hundred per
cent. and the hours reduced, neces-
stating three and even four shifts.
He said further that no taxes were
being collected by the central gov
ernment in local. city and provincial
districts, as Soviets were levying
contributions at will and using the
money for their own purposes.
He pictured industrial conditions
in the blacklist colors. citing the
Sormoff locomotive works, which
turned out two locomotives day
instead of eighteen. as formerly,
making the cost of one locomotive
100000 rubles.
The minister urged better ad-
ministration scheme, better cooper
alton and the reduction of expendi-
lures by decreasing the number of
clerks, officials and officers, but his
speech was received in a dead silence
and at the conclusion was greeted
by one solitary handicap.
All of which goes to show how
utterly absurd is the theory of gov
ernment as tried out by the mis-
guided people of Russia. But is there
not a lesson in the tragic collapse
of the theoretical revolutionists who
ousted the Czar for those people of
the United States who have insisted,
from time to time, upon radical
changes in the system of govern
ment without any reason save the
unrest of those who imagine that
progress means idleness and pros
perity disregard of recognized prin-
ciples of government.
Here in America we are having
under war conditions a real dem
onstration of government owner
ship of railroads and other public
utilities. For years the railroads
freight rates or to do other obvious
and necessary things. Immediately
the government takes over the lines
and by decree increases wages and
freight rates and does other radical
things which under former condi-
tions would have been regarded as
absolutely revolutionary. Perhaps
it is we'll for the people to have this
demonstration during war period,
but it becomes a grave question
whether all initiative may not be de-
stroyed by the sweeping changes
which are now taking place at Wash
ington. Regulation follows regula-
ton and price-fixing and adjustment
of every sort.
The average American is patient
and willing to be shown. but he is
not going to subordinate his own
judgment and his own intelligence
and his experience to the dictum of
those with extraordinary power with
out asking "Why?"