Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-08-26
From Other Viewpoints
BoiShcvista, Food and Trade.
BY JEROME. I.ANFIELD

In November. 1917. authority in Russia was
seized by small! group OF men proposed to
nut into effect ia that country an entirely rev
social and economic system in accordance with
the Communist program. portion OF these
men were fanatic@l adherents OF this theo-
rctlcai scheme OUT ar larger number saw
in the revolution an opportunity for acquir-
ing power and piunder.
Being very small minority among the pop
ulation. they took advantage of the abnormal
conditions arising from the war and revou-
tion as well as Of the ignorance idcalisrn and
docilIty Of the Russian pioplc, to seize power,
and they consolidated this by tho fermenta-
ton of a fnerccnary army devoted to their
interests and by The putting into effect OF
system OF terror.zation which WAS continued
10 the present day. This, briefly is the back
ground OF the so-calicd F;oshcvist regime.
Almost from the first day the leaders found
tina; when faced with the realities OF economic
life the theoretical project would not work
ana ever since that time they have endeavorcd
by special dccrccs 10 alter and adapt their
plan TO maze it WORK. The result has
been twofold: first. they have departed far
from communism and. second, they have not
been able to achieve anything constructive
hut instead have destroyed industry almost
completely.
Agriculture il, the most important factor.
.or Russia is four-hfths agriculture. and all
economic life there is dependent upon 1t. The
agrarlan qucstion-that OF supplying peasants
with additional land--has been the most Sc
rous problem of Russia for many years.
The Boishevsts, as means OF swinging
TO their side the present population, proposed
simply appropriation OF all landed estates by
the peasants. THIS resulted in anarchy and
chaos
TAer ensued an interesting train OF eco
monte consequences. The strength of the
Eolshe visits lay In the Industrial workers Of
inc cities, and their problem was to OBTAIN
food from the country districts. AS they had
Notnng but worthless paper money to give
- exchange. the peasants very soon refused
10 deliver food and ceased to plant more than
they needed for their own requirements Then
followed rcqu.sition by force the part Of
The BoIshevists. and the hiding OF food on
the part of the peasants. The resulting
breach between city and country is or
To hc overcome.
Inc state Of transportation in Russia is
catastropn.c. In other country IS economic
/ primarily to the climate. which closes inland
! water .rauSportltion for six months in the
yen. .,l.t me absence Of satisfactory wagon
/ tg'ds Nevertheless. the railways were WOO
| fuitF rt!,II.te Tor the needs of the popule-
/ ..ul even hrtocr the
/ kr#s.1 had $4,000 miles OF railway, as
! gIlIA. 2GlO0o miles in America, or 20 miles
per Thousand OF population. as against go
- America. Projects for $4,000 miles Of ad-
/ ltionai railway construction were Inter
/ .Jptcd by the war. and the existing lines and
| equipment suffered great depreciation
! result OF military operations
! The i!oishcvists completed, the ruin OF the
/ railroads Workers seized the roads, consid.
| erIns that each section belonged to tho ner
| engaged It.
! labor efficiency declined to such on e1ten
tina, almost no ,reRairs wore made on loco
motives and cars. $50 ri 49,,
In many, oasAn hsoksAwgre falcon uD ,fron