Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1922-10-03
TRUTH ABOUT RUSSIA
Common Impressions are Sadly klS.
leading.
MOSCOW PROSPEROUS BUSY CITY

Whatever IS Desired may De 1ao 'o'
the Money-There Has Been mucf
Distress; But Now Things are Hope
fol-Speeeh is Free and Life ane
Property are Safe.
New York World.
The Rev. John, Haynes Holmes
minister of the Community Church
who returned last week from visit to
Russia, has written FOR The World
this brief outline of his Impressions:
I entered Russia on the long railroad
line from Riga to Moscow-,-one train
day each way! This road is III good
condition though the travelling time is
slow. Rolling stock is in fair condi-
ton, though inadequate in amount
Locomotives are it's chief weakness;
ours broke down going in But at one
station On the line i saw on side
tracks forty brand new locomotives, of
the most modern European type They
were described to, me as the first con-
signment Of an order for 24o locomo-
Moscow at first glance presents a
depressing sight. The whole city has
fallen into an almost indesctibable
state OF disrepair. The wreckage Of
the revolutionary fighting four years
ago is. still visible. Pavements on
streets and sidewalks are broken as
though by earthquake. Buildings are
unpainted, crumbling in roof and cor
nice. dingy. dirty and unsightly. But
all about are the evidences of recon-
struction. The work of repair and re-
building is well under way and is be-
ing pushed day and night.
Dirt a Besettine Evil.
1 saw in Moscow some of the best
payements in Europe, freshly laid. l
inspected apartment houses from cell
lar to roof, recently put in as good
condition as the best houses Of the
type in New York. 1 saw stores and
houses newly painted, well repaired,
clean and attractive.
GIVE us two years." said Russian
to me- ''and Moscow will be as hand
some city as there is in Europe"
Dirt is still besetting evil. Pigs
and cows kept in the city are
sources of dreadful filth. Flies swarm
by the millions everywhere. Bedbugs
are common and lice constant men
ace. Toilets and other sanitary ar
rangements are in an appalling state
of decay The water is undrinkable
until boiled Improvement in these
conditions, however, is rapidly pro-
gressing The streets are now being
we'll cared for by regular corps of
street cleaners. Lice and other ver-
mine are being successfully fought.
PLUMBERS have put at least "A few
places in a condition. liyeable accord
ing to Western standards.
Churches in Good Condition.
The churches Of Moscow seemed to
be In better condition than any other
buildings. The famous Church of
Christ the Saviour was as beautiful and
as richly dcckcd as any cathedral saw
in Europe. The unspoiled treasure
chambers were open to the inspection
of visitors. l looked in vain, in this
and many other churches, for any evil
dences Of damage, despoilment or in
suit. Worship in churches and sarines
was going on without interference.
The National Art Gallery was open,
and the pictures excellently cared for.
1t is one CT the noblest collections of
modern paintings in Europe.
Street cars arc in good condition
and are running on regular schedules
on all lines. l rode in them frequent
ly, and always in crowds that remid-
ed me fondly of New York. The cost
for a ride is 10000 rublcs per zone;
the average ride costs 100000 rubles.
Cabs or droshkies are numerous and
charge from 100000 to 100000 y-ublos
a ride, according to distance. There
are practically no automobiles except
those owned and used by the govern
ment, about thousand in all.
Business FIourishine.
Business seemed to be fourishlng