Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-09-29
as BankrOll

experiences were reported In 1929.
Where there Is q party of tourists they
| usually can arrange to share compart-
ments. The custom Of mixing the sexes
originated, however, before the revolu-
ton.
The influx of visitors to Russia is
limited by hotel accommodations. A
careful scheduling OF arriving visitors
in 1929 enabled the Russian hotels to
care for approximately 1000 visitors
over the season. In Leningrad there
was only one hotel satisfactory to for
eigners. In Moscow there are three or
four that will do, but only one or two
which are sought after. In the other
cities the accommodations are more lin
tied and considerably inferior to the
standards In the two chief centers.
AS there Is SO much elemental miSin-
formation about Russia, 1t may be use
electric lights, elevators, baths, clean
linen on the beds and in the dining
rooms, and similar furnishings found in
, good, though not exclusive, hotels. The
food Is generally satisfactory, and the
service was manifeStly founded on q
desire to please. Tipping is and Is not
done. The tendency observed In 1929
was of a growth in the inclination to
accept gratuities.- Some Russian hotels
and other employees catering to travel
erS will refuse tips. II one orders Ia
carte without regard to cost. some sur.
| prisingly good food may be had.
Taxicabs and pleasure cars are avail
able, some of ancient vintage and some
up TO date. The charges here, as gem
orally in Russia. are higher than in the
remainder Of Europe. Street cars are
used freely by tourists, despite the
crowded trafic thereon, but In moving
about the guide nearly always is present
to pay fares and meet other situations
where ignorance Of the language and
customs might cause difiicultieS. The
people everywhere were friendly, espe-
cially on learning that the tourists were
"Americansky." Often they asked ques-
lions through the guide about America
The Russian women showed especial in
terest in the clothes Of the American
women.
Leningrad Il Depressing.
In Leningrad the surface Impressions
are more depressing than in Moscow
Residents in the former city are dressed
with less variety and poorer quality
generally than in Moscow. The shop
! windows are barer and the general at.
mosphere one Of less activity. but even
in Leningrad signs Of revival were
seen In the repairing of streets. laying
of sewers and restoration of buildings
neglected for years. while some new
construction was noted. Leningrad Is
slowly shaking of the description Of be-
ing the dead capital of a dead nation
named after a dead man."
The things which the Soviet govern
ment wants Q tourist to see are, after
all. exactly the things which q tourist
wants to see. Cars palaces, art and
historical museums, parks OF culture
and rest, workers vacation homes
mother and child clinics, old churches
marriage and divorce registration bu-
reauS, new apartment buildings, schools,
model factories, prisons using reforma-
tory instead OF punitive methods. and so
forth.
The wise tourist. however, does not
draw too sweeping deductions from these
exhibitions, because often they are just
tendencies --,her than the actual ac-
complishmefN throughout Russia. Not
all prisons Ne model prisons, and not
all sections - Russia have model fac
tories and srt>ools.
There Is no ostentatious display OF
Soldiery in Russia. The fact is that
fewer soldiers were seen by American
tourists than would be seen in Italy
tries having dictatorships. One likely
explanation is that in cZarist days the
soldiers were freely moved about to i'm
press the people with the power of the
government. The sweep OF CosSack
cavalry through the streets was bitter
memory of revolutionary Russians. So
when they seized power in 1917 they
proceeded to use power just as ruth
lessly as was necessary to crush all
opposition, and now that they feel Sc
cure they keep the soldiery In the back
ground in contrast with czarist practice.
Nevertheless, the Soviet government
has the power, and still uses it with the
utmost vigor when occasion demands.
On anniversaries of revolutionary events
| or for other special reasons the red
army gives great public parades. Both
government and people believe the army
Is equal to the best.
Older People Go to Church.
Churches were open and services were
fairly well attended, though mainly by
older people. The government continues
vigorously its campaign against religion
by propaganda and by strict regulation
OF religious groups, but does not forbid
any considerable sect from holding serv-
ices. Since all state aid has been with
drawn, and because Of the low economic
level of the country, the churches de-
pending upon private gifts. appear in
financial distress. Edifices cannot be
repaired or maintained as we'll as the
religious element would like.
In the schools and in many other
ways the children are instructed In the
collective ideas of Communism and en-
couraged to abandon all belief In re-
ligion. This frequently means difficult
situations in home life when parents
| still cling to religious concepts. The
child may have Lenin's picture in his
room while the parents retain icons on
| the wall.
1t does not follow that the Soviet
! leaders are trying to substitute Lenin
| for icons in q Worshipful sence. They
do not want to make . saint OF Lentn
and thereby get a new ecclesiasticism
in place of the old ecclesiasticism, but
they do want to exchange the fervor of
religion for the secular zeal exemplified
| in an ardent admiration Of Lenin and
his ideas of social welfare.
The Volga River trip is q decidedly
worthwhile use of time in Russia.
Steamers are spacious and the food and
rooms agreeable. From the deck, how
ever, there Is no intimate observation
of Russian village life, since ordinarily
the river is from one-half to a mile
and one-half wide, with high banks on
one side and low banks on the other,
the latter being covered with water in
the high stages of the river. Villages
can be seen best il the traveller, after
| the river trip, takes O train back to
Moscow Of from "a to So hours, &C.
cording to the length Of the river
excursion.
Rural Life IL Attractive.
In July Russian rural life is attractive
to the eye. Wheat Is being harvested
or Is full ripe in the field, and IL rains
have been normal there is O pleasing
variety in the small individual possess
sions Of the peasants. laid out somewhat
like q patchwork quilt. Some areas
are as prepossessing as the countryside