Cleveland County herald., 1921-04-14

of the propositions argued with not little vehemence was that of compul- sorry labor. Speakers asked for the floor and then passed down the aisles addressing the assemblage from the platform. As in the British parlia ment, the members are frequently interrupted from the floor and fired all sorts of questions at the speaker. All the delegates, down to the hum blest gray-bearded peasant, displayed remarkable skill in discussion. It was most fantastic to see 'kerchiefed peasant women rise and interpose question, but all conducted them selves without dignity and decorum, as though they were long accustom- ed to parliamentary debate. Often where delegate was too diffident or for some other reason did not wish to take the floor, he would write his questions or objections on a sheet of paper and pass it up to the speak CT.
 I noted that in the Petrograd Sow jet, as in the others I visited, almost all shades of political opinion were represented. The Communist faction was counter=balanced by Social Dem ocrats, and Social Revolutionaries, and here and there was a sprinkhng of Anarchists. The delegates ad- dressed each other from the plat form or the floor as ''tavarish" (com- rade).
 When finally the vote was taken by show of hands, was astonished at the overwhelming majority the meas, ure received. Puzzled. I turned to my interpreter and said: T didn't know they were all in favor of the measure For moment I thought the opposition was very strong" He, however explained that while many objected to the measure previous to discussion, they had reversed them selves without hesitation when they learned that the future of Russia de- pended upon work. This seemed to me to be typical of the workings of the Russian mind as I encountered it everywhere. The Russian working men and peasant honestly believe in the efficiency of the public exchange of ideas and are perfectly willing to be convinced if only the question at issue has been completely thrashed out. Not only did the Soviet pass the Compulsory Labor measure, but it considered at some length the ad- visibility of "Sabotny" which means giving up holidays and working with out pay on those days for the gov ernment.
 After the important affairs of the day had been disposed of, the special delegates and guests were invited to speak. Madame Revitch, represnet- ing both the Foreign Office and the Government workers trade-union, a most beautiful and intelligent gentle woman, addressed the meeting. Max i'm Gorki. and his wife were called on. When the famous dramatist and novelist rose the applause was deaf ening. He spoke in his capacity of Commissar of Art and Education and his subject was the future of both in Russia. It was high-spirited ad- dress and when he had finished the ! palace rocked with cheering. Zorin, secretary to Zinoviev, and editor of the official newspaper, also spoke. When my turn came I asked them what they would like to hear and they said almost unanimously: "Give us news of the outside world and what they think of us there"
 The session had opened as 7:30 in the evening. It was over by 10:30. AS I passed out with the crowd I reflected that the difference be- tween a New England town meeting or democratic government anywhere and the soviet system was not so fundamental after all.