The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-01-27
By G. MELNITCHANsKY.

Some time ago Junius Wood, the
Moscow correspondent of the Chicago
Daily News asked G. Melnitchansky,
president of the Moscow Central La
Dor Council seven questions about the
effect of the revolution on the social
and cultural positions of the Russian
workers and on their material con-
ditions.
Whether the Daily News published
the answers given by Melnitchansky
or not, they are of much interest to
the Americas workers and we here
with publish the answers to the first
three questions. The balance will APP
pear in our next ISSUE Editor.
Question lin what way has the
revolution improved the social and
cultural position of the worker?
Answer: Prior to the Revolution
the working class in Russia had nc
rights, it was an oppressed and ex-
plotted class, enslaved politically and
economically. The October Revolution
transferred the political and economic
power to the working class, establish
ing the dictatorship of the proletariat
which is being exercised by the work
ing class in alliance with the poorest
peasantry through the Soviets of
Workers, Peasants and Red Army
deputies and from an enslaved class
it has turned them into privileged
one.
The October Revolution has secured
for the working class the freedom Of
expression of their opinions, the free
dom of assembly, of organization, ac-
cess to knowledge, the right to pos
sess arms and to defend their work
ers' State, the equality of workers of
all nationalities and races, the free
dom of conscience and of anti-reli-
gious and religious propaganda. The
October Revolution has transferred
the ownership of the means of pro-
duction factories, mines) to the
workers. The Soviet government has
promulgated Labor Code which con-
tains the minimum conditions OF
work, which cannot be reduced in any
undertaking or establishment, be it
private, public or State (8-hour work
day, obligatory social insurance, etc.
Prior to the Revolution only the
possessing class had free access to
education. The Soviet government
aims to give all workers a general
and complete education, and for this
purpose it first of all takes measures
to eradicate iliteracy among the la
boring masses and has established
workers faculties to prepare the
workers for higher institutions of
learning. The Peoples Commissariat
of Education has covered the U. S. S.
R. with a network of schools of vari-
Gus types, courses, kindergardens, in
dustrial, pedagogical and art colleges
and many other educational institu-
tons, to which workers and members
of their families are admitted first of
all.
The trade unions are enabled to
carry on great educational work
through the clubs, Libraries, reading
rooms, the press, ETC., while at the
same time taking an active part in
the introduction of all educational
measures by the various State bodies
i In this sense the Revolution has
made a radical improvement in the
social and cultural condition of the
workers.
Question 2.-How has it improved
his material position?
Answer: The Revolution made il
possible to carry out all the basic de-
mands of the workers in the realm Of
social insurance.
Social insurance in the U. S. S. r
covers all persons who work by hire
and includes all forms of relief, as
medical aid, unemployment benefit
relief in cases Of temporary disability
sickness, accident, quarantine, preg-
nancy, confinement, care of sick men,
Der of the family, invalids' pensions
special allowances for infant feeding
sick-room supplies and burial anc
lastly, relief to the family of the in
sured in case of death or disappear.
ance of the bread-winner and during
unemployment.
The insurance premiums are paio
by the undertakings and individuals
employing hired labor, the insured be-
ing exempt from any assessments OIL
charges for social insurance. Social
insurance is under the direction Of
the trade unions, which elect the in
surance bodies.
In addition, workers and employees
are accommodated free of charge al
rest homes, sanatoria and health
resorts. In municipal services, edu
cation, ETC., the working class enjoys
certain preferences, and the charges
are fixed in accordance with the
wages and the family status.
Industrial undertakings must alsC
contribute 10 per cent of their prof
its in addition to the insurance pay.
ment and paid wages for improving
the general living conditions of the
workers. This money is spent on the
20 e.