The daily worker., 1925-04-25
BY ANIsE.

Il
= hotel where 1 lived in Moscow is
the headquarters of the Food Work
ers' Union. The provision trades are
based on the immediate needs of the
population; consequently they were
the first to revive after the long civil
war and famine, and are in a very
prosperous condition. And since the
wages Of workers go up in Russia as
fast as an industry revives, the pro-
vision trades workers are somewhat
better of both in wages and in or
sganization than some of the other
trades, such as metal workers, whose
industries revive more slowly.
THERE are any number of labor
= headquarters in Moscow. There is
the giant Palace Of Labor, where the
central trade unions of all the Soviet
Federation are housed.
There is also the Hall of the Unions,
a sort Of Central Labor Temple Of the
Moscow Unions, with its wonderful
Hall Of the Columns in marble and
crystal, with it's library in many Ian
guages, and its paintings and statu-
airy ordered from modern Russian art
lists to decorate the assembly place
Of the workers with subjects of work
ers' life.
TFHE Food Workers Union is just
one Of the@twenty-twof industrial
unions. Yet it also has two floors
Of downtown building, with financial
department, statistical department, ex-
ecutiye offices. At one window saw
the sign, ''Theater Tickets" Union
members get their tickets here, at so
per cent discount.
ON the floor below was the Central
OClub of the Food Workers, supple
menting the dozens of other clubs at
factories and places OF work. Here
was good little library, with reading
rooms and rest rooms. There were
a number of men using it. No women
were visible, for this was daytime
and the women were working. The
men present were those employed on
night shifts who were using their
days to get some extra culture. But
no women work on night shifts; 1t is
against the law
CLEANLINESS and order and enjoy
~ ment made up the atmosphere of
the place. For the unions are the
workers own organizations. built
anew from the ground since the revo-
luton, and not contaminated by any
Of the leftover civil service workers
from the days Of czardom, who still
clog the government apparatus. There
Is also much hospitality in all union
headquarters. have never seen any
group in any land which seems to
have such a good time welcoming
folks as the organized workers of
Russia. Anyone who knows any for
eign language comes out at once and
tries. cheerfully to practice on the Wis
itors. Anyone who has been in Amer
ica also appears and gaily begins in
Quiries about the workers of the Unit
ed States.
WTE got into an automobile with the
w secretary Of the union and were
whirled out Of town to a macaroni
factory. Incidentally. il you want the
convenience Of an auto in the Soviet
Republic, don't come as guests of the
departments Of education or health
or any branch of the government, but
come as guest Of the trade unions.
For the government is poor. having
to live on budget and acquire gold
currency. l believe the department
Of health has two automobiles for
the higher members of its stan. But
every trade union has autos; the trade
unions and the Communist Party, be-
ing supported by membership dues,
are the really hourishing organiza.
tions.