The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1927-09-17


sympathies all important international questions
by means e resolutions, parades, demonstrations,
funds Nicaragua, China, Passaic-questions about
which the average worker knows little if anything,
are of intense interest to the Russian of today.
Standardization? I cannot understand how even the
most dishonest hypocrite could apply it.
Let US see how much individualism is manifested
by the workers in other lands. All must slave for
their wage. They have voice in their government
their industry. Their Culture" consists in read
ing those books that read the most; looking at
those pictures that are praised the most; seeing
those plays that have been seen the most hearing
that music that has been heard the most National
affairs they not interested in; their newspapers
print instead, crossword puzzles International af-
fairs? So far away-dismissed with shrug of the
shoulders. Standardization? l know no other name
for it.
Formerly, sociologists Of the opinion that
the individual could only express himself in his les-
ure time. The soviet system of the conduct of in
dustry has proved this to be partly fallacy Even
IN ones working hours one be himself. But
leisure provides the greatest opportunity True. And
under Communism, the individual will secure greater
leisure. Certainly not under capitalism
But moment!" can imagine Ybarra and
Fulop-Miller eXcaimng. "You are considering only
the workers. Certainly. And so are thew For
Russia is workers country. There they claim the
workers standardized In captalist countries
there are workers and idlers These I claim (and
in some instances, Herr Fuop-Miler agrees with
mel are standardized
How then, do the writer's make out case for
their conclusion? Let examine their phrases
"They shouted their command to the Russian
poets. :" I see Herr Fulop-Mer has read the
Pravda When Josef Stain, secretary of the Rus
sian Communist Party writes critical article on
the poetry of the day, complaining that the poets
are writing about the October Revolution when
they should be giving their energy to the transition
period, which is comparable to criticism of Georg
Brandes who once charged postwar literature with
sustaining postwar turbuIency, is that issuing or
ders," shouting commands" "regimenting" "wav-
ing magic wands," or is it not the same type of
criticism, performing its function, as we find in
capitalist countries?
One must not be harsh with Herr Fulop-Iiller
Tor this poor choice of language-t would be con-
fusing to him, finding politician and peasant
who also has an aesthetic sense, and is qualified
as literary critic. 1t rarely happens elsewhere
except in Russia
Out Of generosity, these pretty phrases of Mr.
Ybarra and Herr Fuop-MilIer might he dismissed
as unconscious ranting But then, in the face of
contrary facts, they charge "as for religion the
Soviet dIctatOrs memorable in trying to uproot
everything resembling religion it was in the Rus
STA of the cars"
What was really done? The grating, living. i'm
moral and dscrept clergymen were given +bar
waning papers honest priests could do business
so long as there, demand for their "sacred"
wares. Is this 'neXorable"? Instead of the head
OF the government encouraging people to 90 to
church, they were encouraged to learn to read and
write. "lnexorable"? suppose Messrs. Ybarra and
FuIopMiller in Cooks tour of Russia e+onnod
long enough in Moscow to see an inscription, ere
nglon IS the opium of the people" near cathedral
The inscription does make one inclined to adiectives
IKE "lnexoraole," if one is capitalist apologfst
But 1t does not deter any Russian if he is religions
from enjoying his daily or weekly hypodermic of
religion. Since the Soviet government came into
power, the monopoly religion has been taken
away from the Orthodox Church, and all churches.
II they are kept clean, and do not graft can 90 on
dispensing their narcotic till the customers are fin
ally satlated "lnexorable"? In hurting insults. the
writers have merely hurled boomerangs
1t is apparent then, that Herr Fulop-Miller has
proved nothing In finding that "Boshevism is a
great menace to society,"" should like to call him
mistaken; instead | must use a harsher word 7
must accuse him Of dishonesty