The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-06-20
$4,000 YOUTHS
SLEEP IN STREET
In Moscow Students Literally
Fight for Chance to Learn.
CHANGE PLACE EVERY NIGHT


American college students, who fire
quently complain that their allowances
are too small, would learn what rough.
Ing it in search Of an education ac-
tually means were they to come to
Moscow.
I Investigators for the American re-
lief administration have come across
tragic comedy or comic tragedy In
every nook and corner Of the bare
cold dormitories for Russian youths
| at the, big universities In Moscow and
In the provinces.
Last September, when the college
term opened, there were approximate
Iy $4,000 students registered in the
higher institutions Of Moscow. Ap-.
proximately 10000 of these were ca
pable OF caring for themselves; an
other 10000 were to be taken care of
by the government, but many Of the
other 10000 literally had to sleep in
the streets, because no quarters could
be found for them in the overcrowded
city.
Lodges in Doorways.
One member of the investigating
committee found the task of relieving
needy students almost hopeless be-
cause of the indefinite address given
by the applicants. Peter Popov, who
was given pair of shoes and was to
receive food package later, informed
the committee that he was rather q
difficult person to find, because he
slept In a different doorway every
night. Two young men from the cleo
trical college were perfectly willing
to be called upon, they said, but
doubted that they could be found In
the crowd at the railway station where
they slept.
So much time and energy is spent
trying to obtain food and shelter that
many Of the students find study impos-
slble. They are always on the lookout
for odd Jobs that will give them bed,
meal or few million rabies.
Three girls in one of the universe
ties sew four hours day for a cor
ner to sleep in. After a meal at the
student kitchen at p. m. they attend
their first class. Russian universities
always ran to night work. for even in
the old days the terms student" and
poor were synonymous.
Conditions In the institutions of
Moscow today are said to be infinitely,
worse than those endured by the poor
EST students before the revolution.
Sleeping 40 in room, some with and
some without beds, many of these
earnest young seekers after the truth
bout science, philosophy or medicine
'lay balalaikas and sing songs even
Ehen they are hungry.
From Glasses to Bed.
Two CHEEKY lads owning one suit OF
lothes between them were lucky
nough to find small room by them
elves. They arranged their classes
0 that one could stay in bed and
tudy while the other wore the suit to
ne lecture. Another youngster had
lree useful possessions, a blanket,
ack of potatoes and geometry.
Wrapped in one, he used another for
pillow, while he read the third
Two girls, taking mathematical
purse, had persistently guarded their
,om, but one evening they went out
n moment to buy some food When
ley returned they found their belong
'gs in the corridor and a new lock on
re door. Two young men had moved
The urge for education Is stronger
Russia these days, particu-
rly among sons and daughters of the
orking classes, than it has ever been
fore, and registration In the higher
hOols In some cases has increased
ore than 20 per cent.
In the old days at the Russian uni
rsities there were no dormitories;
e students rented rooms and paid for
cir own board. Now the government
attempting to feed and house stu
nts, and pays them monthly sub
b. amounting approximately to q
Amefican money. In pre-rsvolut1ao
" ~ Z month would keep I -
n student In ragged but happy 60
It.