The Seattle star. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1899-1947, 1919-07-11
Must Get Permits to Live
in Bolshevik-Red Russia

You cannot buN pair OF socks.
a shirt. or any kind OF clothes or
merchandise. II Is forbidden for
stores to sell or people to buy
merchandise. They are supposed
TO wait until IL is issued
II Is forbidden to leave town. or
travel anywhere. except on. official
business. individuals cannot go
from one town to another on pri-
vate business or becuuso they want
to travel.
You cannot rent room or move
into a new house. unless the COM
missaire assigns you to new quar-
tiers. You have TO go whore he
says. Hotels do not. exist They
are conflscated for headquarters.
II is forbidden to quit your job. n
YOU do noe like II. You are consid.
cred an enemy Of the government II
you strike. The government can
mobilize you to any job II wishes.
just as tho you were a soldier.
You cannot have a bank account.
own a bicycle or automobile, own
firearms. unless you are a Bolshe.
thing OF commercial value.
Otherwise. you are perfectly free
with a few more exceptions.
The Bolshevik idea of liberty was
impressed upon the United Press
correspondent when he first arrived
In Moscow. He was under guard
and was taken first to the police sta
ton. There. among all the millions
OF manifestos. the police commissaire
could not find any which outlined
regulations regarding foreign press
correspondents who came into soviet
land thru the back door--the Lithu-
anian front.
The police commissaire decided to
pass the buck TO the foreign office
secretary. why have a foreign of.
flee II II can't decide whether for.
eigners we catch. here have any right
to live or noty' he asked.
Under guard, but otherwise unher.
aided and unsung-as we'll as un.
washed. unshaved and unclean from
the long train trip--the correspond
ent was ushered before the foreign
secretary. whose first act was 10
heap a TRADE of abuse of all entente
lands upon the shead Of the only
specimen In captivity at the time.
A Gay" Life
Finally he relented and said:
Wen let you stay few days. I
suppose the first thing Is TO get you
out Of arrest. Wait hare while /
see if 1t can be done"
Half an hour later an assistant
came back and announced with a
note of triumph. wen. you're free.
You're at perfect liberty"
Thanks; that's fine. I suppose I
can hunt up room now and clean
up. Can you recommend Il hotel?"
No, can't" replied the Bolshe.
vik. There aren't any hotels.
They're confiscated I'll take you
home with me tonight"
Can you recommend some one I
can hire for Interpreter"
No; 1t can't be done said the
Russian. You can't hire any one.
You'd be n capitalist, If you did"
Is there any objection TO my tax.
ing some pictures? / brought a cam.
era"
You cannot do that, either" ruled
the Bolshevik. 1T is forbidden for
private individuals TO have cameras.
you'd better keep yours under cover
or 1t may be confiscated."
Guess there isn't much / can do
right now. Is there?"
NO; except read these pamphlets. +"
he said, handing me a pile of propa.
gands.
you'll have to be informed now
Tor couple of hours, until I get
thru. don't think you'd better
wander about alone. You might get
lost, or be arrested IL you have no
| guide"
but Otherwise you have perfect
hberty in Bolshevik Russia.