Evening journal., 1919-07-15
SOVIET RUSSIA
LEARNS TO READ
Few People in Country,
However, Want to Know
How to Write
SOCIALISM is
FOREMOST STUDY
BY FRANK J. TAYLOR.

UNITED Press STAFF Correspondent
NEW YORK. July i2-Nfore people
IN Soviet Russia are learning 10 read
than are learning 20 write. The Boil
shevlks want people TO know how to
read I'm order TO facilitate the spread
OF the "communistic gospel A wide
spread definite system Of education Is
being put into effect, not only for
youngsters. but also for the elders
The Bolsheviks have established
schools that are a wide departure from
anything known IN Russia heretofore.
Many features are not radically differ
ent from elementary American schools,
which the Russians are copying.
The first feature 10 go by the board
I'm Russia was religion. Schools were
formerly conducted by priests and the
curriculum was tw0-thirds religion
and one-thlrd education This order
Is reversed now. The Bolsheviks are
teaching two-thlrds socialism and COM
munism and one-third education, the
latter being mostly reading and writ
Ing Since many Of the children In the
cieies were starving. the Bolshevik
government IN Moscow and Petrograd
is serving a noon meal 10 the children
I'm school In many schools clothes are
being issued TO children whose parents
cannot supply them.
The education program. considered
by Bolshevik leaders 10 be far in ad-
vance Of anything in vogue today. prac-
tically takes the raising and educating
nF oh Of hn Of
family and places children in the
charge Of the State.
The Russian code Of labor requires
that everyone work, women as well as
men, except that women have eight
weeks before and eight weeks after the
birth Of child during which they
may stay at home.
At all other times, the mother must
leave her babes at public nurseries,
where the State will take charge OF
hem and educate them. Already some
Of these nurseries have been establish
ed. and the Bolshevlk government an
ticipates bringing up the next genera
tion according to certain proper"
theories.
The Bolshevlks are working out their
educational system in the cities. and
thus far have done nothing for the
children Of the country. They plan 10
extend their system 10 the rural dis
tricts later. The peasants have been
slower to accept the benevolences Of
paternal Bolsheviks.
In developing their education sys-
tenn the BOlsheviks face a tremendous
problem. due TO the enormous percent
age Of illiteracy in Russia. Systems OF
adult night schools have been started
in the cities for the grown-ups who do
not know how to read and write. or
who want 70 take up special studies.
The universities have been opened TO
everyone. free Of charge, and for the
most part are attended by older people.
The normal student body is modified
at the front
Lectures and meetings are the most
popular form Of education at present
There are meetings. by the thousands
everywhere. In soviet Russia there Is
little else 10 do but go TO a meeting
I'm the evening. aside from a limited
number Of theaters.
Cafes. 10 which ahe Russians used 70
flock. are closed by order OF the soviet
government. Restaurants and all other
eathering places likewise are no more
In place Of these European Institutions
the Bolsheviks offer specially arranged
meetings. at which are served lectures
on socialism. communism and world
revolution.
The State has on ms payrolls stan
Of speakers. many OF whom were form
erly street agitators in. America and
ENGLAND. who are engaged as educators
Of sthe people. To attract people 10
these meetings the most noted singers,
musicians and dancers give perform
ances after the lectures. The press and
the theater is used 10 spread BolsheYik
education. Public places and clubs
have been conlscated for the meeting
places. In Moscow the mobiles club has
been turned into a labor temple, and
is the principal meeting place. The
public has opportunity TO attend the
theater and opera on a partly commun-
istic and partly capitalistic basis. All
theatres are confscated by the State. !
and their former owners are gone. For
the most part the stage stars remain
the same, monthly bonuses up TO three |
thousand rubles per month being paid