The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1924-05-24

ditions are improving. These
figures were brought out by tn
in discredited propaganda tales
about naturalization of women,
economic chaos, and the immi-
nent fall of the government.
Isaac J.. Sherman, president OF Ar
cos-American Inc, Russian co-opera-
tive organization, was more enthusi-
astic than r. Dana Durand, u. S. de
partment of commerce, who said Rus
sia's trade Importance is over-esti-
mated, and Irving T. Bush, Bush Ter
minal Co., the remaining speaker. But
all of them dealt with Soviet Russia
as reality that has to be reckoned
with
SovIets To Stay.
There is no question but that the
present government is going to last"
said Bush. Il didn't find one person
Tin Russia) who thought it would
fall" But he expects it to change its
methods and enlarge the Communist
party. Russia is destined in the end
to be a conservative country like
France because IS per cent of its
population is peasantry, owning land,
he added. He saw no disorder of
any kind" Leaders of the revolution
are sincere" Second strata of gov
eminent officials are about like those
in u S. A." He praised Russia's edu-
cational system compared with the
Cars. He disagreed with Hughes
statements regarding Russian propa-
ganda in this and other countries.
Many things for the betterment of
Russia and mankind have come out
of the communist experiment, Bush
admitted.
"The Soviet government has shown
no disposition to abandon its funda-
mental policy of state operation of
industry and trade" was the worst
Hoover's assistant, Durand could re-
port. His figures for Russia in 1928
showed crop acreage increase of II
per cent over 1922, grain exports Is
of pre-war, and major manufacturing
and mining production 1-S of pre-war.
Bolsheviks Keep Their Word.
Prejudice and lack of knowledge"
only stand between the U. S. and Rus
STA, said Sherman. There does not
exist in Russia any party or group of
Importance which would desire or pre-
tend to desire to overthrow the gov
eminent. First, the regime is too well
intrenched; second, all factions pin
their hopes on peaceful evolution and
gradual adjustment Still another
DOGGY is the widespread belief that
the Bolsheviki do not keep their word.
l challenge anybody to present a
single case where the soviet govern
ment disregarded it's obligations, has
not fulfilled it's contracts or failed to
keep its word"
"Russia's trade grows, her produc-
ton increases, her political prestige
steadily gains, and her economic
strength begins to influence the world
markets." he said. Measured in gold
rubles her imports rose from 29,O55,-
900 in 1920 to 144,O59,O0O in 1928, ex-
pol IS from 10000 to 205,747, 900,
and total turnover from 0,452,000 to
349, S04, 900. Her present favorable
trade balance is 100000 a month.
The currency has been stabilized and
put on a gold basis. Agriculture is
LIS per cent of pre-war average. Since
1920 coal industry has increased So
per cent, oil rs per cent, metal 1856
per cent, textile 223 per cent.
-Four firms in New York during the
first four months of this year did with
the Soviet Union a business exceed
| ing $40, GOO, 900. If Russian trade has
taken such spontaneous develop
ment, in spite of many obstacles, what
wonderful results could one not ex-
pect If the relations between these
countries were placed on normal ba-
sis" He said 20 countries had recog-
nized Russia. "The Soviet Union is
fact whether you recognize it or ig-
=, more it. 1t is also a fact that it con-
trolls territory representing 1-6 of the
earth, with 15O,OOO,OOo inhabitants,
with enormous riches undeveloped
and with wealth beyond estimation"
Sherman concluded.