New-York tribune., 1920-11-21

The 'lnternsTlonalc' has become q
sacred hymn.
The economic section of the Italian
mission could not help noticing that the
economic ire OF the city is character
lied by material and moral misery.
The government has instituted a COM
plicated system Of rationing and fix
ing food prices. Bread, salt and sugar
are distributed directly from govern
ment offices. But what the people are
allowed by TIE government is much be-
low what Is needed for nouris shment.
Speculation Flourishes
"All other staples are bought up by
cooperative societies, the greater part
being purchased for free commerce.
which, in other words, means specula-
tion, though in reality it is forbidden
by law, but hourishes just the same
1t could not be otherwise, because free
commerce )r trade saves the govern
ment from requisitioning everything
tor public consumption AS the gov
ernment is rot in any way capable of
obtaining this result it must tolerate
spectators.
The state has fixed the wages &C.
are thlrty-fve categories 1t Is tho
idea Of the government to abolish pay
ment Of wages in money. Workers re-
celve instead food and clothes and
never touch cent
Industries Virtually Inactive
THE results Of the direct control Of
the industries by the workmen have
been disastrous. and these industries
are almost inactive. Judging by the
little that has been attempted to re-
Vlve the industries, there is doubt
whether Russia can manage to get on
her feet except after long time.
This is explained by the lack of
preparation as we'll as Of technical
knowledge for an experiment so radi-
crl rs the present one. When the
Bolsneviki took over the managem ent
Of the country there was an absolute
lack of organization for the new regime
ton had been destroyed and it was
necessary to improvise something for
the needs of private life, so that dis
trbution as we'll as production was in
confusion.
Bureaucracy Rules
"Distribution was undertaken by
clerks with no experience, and it neces-
STATED huge bureaucratic staff. Bu-
reaucracy has invaded all lines of
work At Petrograd the population
numbers 6O0,000 while for The distri-
button Of food, the management of the
TWO mills, ten bakeries and soup kitch-
ems there is a staff Of 10000.
Theoretically private ownership Is
no more.
"The masses are resigned to their
fate and take things as they come.
A similar situation would not be pos
sibe anywhere else, and it could not
have lasted but for the resources left
by rich government like that of the
Gar. That the country holds out is
a wonder, but it is only lengthening
the agony Of exhaustion.
Russia must have help. 1t Is we'll
not to delude ones self into thinking
that it will be possible to resume COM
mcrcial relations with Russia. Its
transportation facilities are all disor-
ganized, and the internal necessities
viii prevent them from exporting or
binding themselves by international
contracts. Another illusion which we
must not indulge in is the reorganiza-
tion Of Russia.
The gravity Of the economic situa-
ton, especially in the cities, has hard
ened the resistance of the peasants
against any reactionary measures. The
reactionists are always represented as
fighting for the large property owners,