New Britain herald., 1930-08-08
RUSSIA IMPROVING
FAMED RED SQUARE
Stone MauSoleum for Lenin to
Replace Wooden One

Washington, D. c.. Aug S.-Rus-
STA is to refurbish her famous Red
Square" in Moscow Already the
work of turning the temporary
wooden mausoleum of Lenin into d
permanent resting place of stone is
under way behind a high wooden
fence. The ancient cobble stones are
to be removed and replaced by
smooth flag stones. Permanent re-
viewing stands are to be erected.
A bulletin from the Washington
D. c. headquarters of the National
Geographic society tells of typical
scenes in this 'pulsing heart of
Russia
Has Seen Revolutionary Celebrations
Much of the drama of Russia S
grandeur and tragedy has unfolded
in the beautiful open space in Mos
COW that has. come to be called Red
Square" says the bulletin. "Formerly
it was the scene of public executions,
hangings. and floggings when the
Tsars ruled from Moscow; of i'm
perial proclamations and glittering
llldl tldl pol duSS. Idltl II saw Dloouy
revolution; and now the surrounding
structures echo the tramp of SOL
diers of the Red army and the
footballs of Soviet workers.
Along one side of the square ex-
tends the IS foot wall of the Krem-
lin pierced by the Spasskoya or Re
deemer gate over which rises 81
great clock tower, 2O5 feet high.
This beautiful tower was built the
year before Columbus discoverf@
America. Across from the Kremln
wall are the substantial stone build
ings of the Trading Rows with their
arcaded sidewalks.
Fantastic Towers Rise Above 1t
AT one end of the rectangular
space is tht twin lowered building
of the Historical Museum, and op-
posite rises the glittering bewilder-
ing mass OF Dubious towers and
domes of st. Basils cathedral, fam
tastic as the cardboard stage castle
OF some eastern extravaganza.
"Lcnin's wooden tomb hugs the
towering kromlin wall and seems
dwarfed by the sheer stone expanse
rising behind it. Until the body was
removed to the kremlin to permit
rebuilding OF the mausoleum, the
low, simple wooden structure that
housed the glass enclosed body was
the world shrine OF communism
Sentries stood on guard and
h1a Ira ~ IL 70
ter and look upon the face of the
dead leader.
Into Red square, from the ad-
Joining Place of the Revolution, a
constant human stream pours dur
ing daylight hours. There are Won
On in felt boots; clerks in leather
Jackets; officials, reasonably well
dressed, with brief cases under their
arms; laborerS in dirty sheepskin
coats; slippered girls trudging
through mud and dirt, carrying
babies and bundles or dragging
hand carts behind them.
Borrowed Babies Go to Market
Along the Trading Row almost
any day stands a long queue of
women waiting for the opportunity
to buy cloth of overshoes or other
merchandise Of which there is a linn
tied supply. Many of the women
carry babies. FOR such d burden
gives them preferred place in line.
Because OF thi babies are borrowed
or rented by would-be purchasers
who have no small children of their
own.
"Venders cluster around the gates
leading to and from Red square SELL
ing all manner of articles and max
ing sections of the square into viz
tual outdoor department stores.
There are the long Russian cigar
cites with a short section of tobacco
and a lengthy mouthpiece of hollow
Cardboard; Indifferent apples and
oranges; dried sunfoWer seeds; cam
dies exposed to the dust: and cheese
cut 10 order.
Women and boys are hawking
feminine underwear and gaudy gar
ters. Nearby are displays of color
ed Autographs. books, shoes, stock
ings, toys and shoestrings.
AT night, in good weather, Red
square becomes an open air forum.
Small fry Soviet speakers gather
little knots of listeners about them
to explain the details of the Soviet
plan of the moment or the square
is filed with a sea of humanity
while the government leaders ex-
pound the doctrines of the revolution
through great blaring loud speak
ers.''