The producers news. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1918-1937, 1928-10-05
SOVIET RUSSIA NOW
IN SECOND DECADE
A Book Review
By Jessica Smith, Federated Press

by JeSSlca Smltns reiterated fEeSS /
The 374 pages of Soviet Russia in |
the Second Decade are packed with |
valuable data. Each member of the /
technical staff of the first American I
trade union delegation took a special /
field and studied it as thoroughly as 4
short visit and the handicap of work I
ing through interpreters would per-
nit. While there is no co-ordinated
picture of Russia today, most Of the
important elements In the present sit
uation arg covered. The book is writ
ter Tor the most part without preju
dice or fervor but read with magma
ton, the facts and figures presented
roll up total of magnificent attain
ment in spite of inevitable mistakes
and almost overwhelming obstacles.
Stuart Chase gives a comprehensive
and enthusiastic presentation of eff
forts to coordinate the whole eco
nomic structure in the interest of a
balance and waste eliminating plan"
He describes the machinery by which
production and distribution are carri-
ed on, with the goal of maximum
production of the necessities and plain
comforts for the workers and peas
ants with a minimum of human eff
fort, while scrupulously safeguarding
at the same time the health, safety
education, opportunity for leisure and
working conditions of those who la
bor.'
In a few suggestive paragraph!
Chase explains the basis of the incen
tive which replaces the profit motive
and keeps workers and managers a
like keyed up to a high pitch of en-
thusiasm in the great game of "beat
ing yesterday and sur
passing the careful estimates of tn
State Planning Commission.
Professor Tugwell in a discerning
discussion of Russian agriculture
shows that while farm goods do no
possess the purchasing power of in
dustrial goods the situation is cor
stantly improving. In spite of tn
price disadvantage the peasant star
dards of living have risen considers
bly, above pre-revolutionary days. |
addition to holding more land, the
are eating and living better than eve
before
Paul Douglas and Robert w. Dun
analyZe the organization and fun
tions of the trade unions which el
roll $40 of the workers and ent'
every phase of their lives, protectin
and improving working conditions an
opening a new world of social al
cultural opportunities.
Professor Douglas gives a valuab
summary of labor legislation and Il
wide spread system of social insu
ance in the purchasing power of Il
workers pay envelope, the social i
surance. vacation with paw. free
negligible rent and household utiliti
by the most conservative estima
would make the workers well-beil
$40 over 1913. The steady tenden
upward continues.
Professor Counts and Carlet
Washburne tells of the amazi
changes in the educational systl
with more emphasis however on
organization than content. OIL
chapters deal with finance, histori
background, government. Commun
party, cooperative movement, JUST
transportation and foreign conc
Si9ns.
For any complete picture Of Rus
as it enters the second decade,
little is said about the real progr
in developing collective forms.
new houses and workers villae
communal kitchens, laundries, din
rooms, day nurseries, clubs,
change in the status of women,
tremendous efforts to build a heal
nation. But in the fields cover
this volume is one of the import
contributions that has been made
TIE literature on Soviet Russia.
This book is published by the ]
Day Co., priced at 81.