Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-06-29
PLEASURES OF RUSSIA
HAVE POLITICAL AIMS
Fun for Fun's Sake No MOre-Everythin
Has Overpowering Flavor Of
Red Propaganda.

healthy posture for the new worker to
assume while walking and standing and
sitting. And there are glass cases dis
playing wax images Of human hearts
and NverS and stomachs that have suf-
fered tragedies from overindulgence in
vodka.
Oftentimes when the worker walks in
the park he will come across small wan
dering bands that play popular selec-
tons with no propaganda value. The
workers gather In little group around
the musicians for bit of entertain
ment free Of educative stigma. But
once suitable number are listening the
music stops, a speaker hops upon a box
and those who came for song find
themselves listening to a four minute
speech upon some subject related to
their welfare. ! have heard such lee
turers talk on keeping windows open
in the bed room, the necessity of bath
ing at least once O week, the health
advantages Of drinking 10 glasses Of
water daily and weird tales of capital
iSt expressions in the Far East, where
Russia fights to hold the railroad that
exploits Northern Manchuria. The
speech done. the band moves on. If
the worker wants more music he must
hear more speeches.
Athletic Games Stressed.
Sports make up an essential part of
the amusement life of the young people
The government takes particular inter-
est in the development of athletics and
correlateS the work with army training
Both men and women participate in
all sports. A Moscow slogan reads,
Not Single Working Lass Must Be
Left Without Physical Culture" Foot
ball introduced into Russia at the
time OF the Cars with some difiiculty,
since the police could see no sense to
the game unless 1t was to train young
men to throw bombs) is now one of
the most popular sports. Basket ball
Is another leading game. Since both of
these games give ample chance for the
teamwork SO essential to the develop
ment of collectiviSt psychology and fur
nish excellent physical conditioning,
they are encouraged more than tennis,
which brings two people into a direct
competition and threatens to establish
individualistic viewpoints.
Though prize fighting smacks strongly
OF lndividualiSm, 1t Is made an orthodox
Red sport by a metaphysical interpfe-
tation. Important bouts project a STIR
ring scene on one Of CommuniSm's
many anomalies.
The scuff of fighters feet on the
blood-stained canvas ring, the thud of
blows pounded with leather gloves
against sweaty bodies and the heavy
breathing Of the battlers carry
throughout the stiffness of the crowded
MOSCOW stadium, where Swarthy giant
from the Caucasus and a rangy Lenin-
grad man are deciding the flstic cham
pionship of the Communist world. The
spectators, husky, sport conscious young
men and women of Soviet Russia, are
tense, but despite the fury of the fight
absolutely silent. Glaring white lights
pour over the ringside. There are no
dinner jackets worn by the holders Of
the favored seats. that cost but 10 ko-
pecks, nor are there jewels on Silken
women. The gaudy linen shirts of the
men and the flaming cotton bandanaS
of round-faced, unrouSed girls give
color to the roughly dressed throng.
Excitement is at white heat, for the
match ends a five-day boxing tourna-
ment during which the contenders in
the finals have fought at least three
bouts
Demonstration Of Condition.
The intensely individualistic activity
is interpreted in terms of a collectivist
theology. For in theory the Caucasian
raging in the ring is not an angry in
dividual battling a dangerous personal
opponent for personal glory. The ter
rife jabs he sends to the northerner's
ribs are but a demonstration of the
heights of physical condition and mus
cular control which his sports club in
the south has attained. And too, the
notion is presumed to prevail that the
Leningrad battler cuts open the Cau-
casian's eye only by way of indicating
the preciseness, strength and general
good health Of his associates at home
II he wins, the group, not he, will be
victorious.
So any cheering by the audience is
out OF order. Such demonstration
might initiate the fighters ego, causing
it to soar dangerously far above the
mass and so dull the Joy of collective
accomplishment. But though the slim
ulation Of the match is construed by
metaphysical reasoning as the thrill OF
group achievement, the fury CT the
battle is lessened not an iota
The Caucasian is driving his oppo-
nent into a corner, raining blows on
his head and body. A young Communist
near me loses his concept of the fight
as an impersonal exhibition of skill and
strength developed through co-opera-
tive sports clubs. He jumps to his feet
and In the quiet of the amphitheater
cries out the Russian equivalent of
Sock him! Let him have it,"
Men on either side of the enthusiast
SO grossly betrayed by his age-old in
stincts jerk the excited, youth to his
seat and lecture him as the bout RACES.
"Comrade, stay in your place! Be
quiet! Don't be a bOurjui' says one
dour fellow.
Not GIadiatOrial Game.
Remember, comrade, this is a sport
and not gladiatorial game" expounds
second shocked Zealot of the Red
faith, his small eyes cracking with a
distinctly personal fire as he forces his
code upon the latent individualist
Shouting by the spectators when blows
are struck is regarded in poor taste
because 1t infers the vicarious pleasure
that only bourgeoisie are presumed to
experience at witnessing a primitive
combat between two individuals.
A gong sounds the end of the round
Animated conversation and the smoking
Of long. rancid cigarettes turn the bowl
into a sputtering, steaming cauldron of
suppressed emotions. Again the gong
clangs and the heavyweights are lam
boxing skill, but an abundance of slug
ging. The Caucasian rushes into a
savage attack. A small man in gigantic
boots to the left Of my companion and
me stands up excitedly to better his
view over the tall shoulders of the
spectators ahead Of him. Although he
does not shout nor in any way obstruct
our vision, my ardent Communist inter-
prefer taps the anxious little fellow
severely on the arm, motions him into
his seat, and delivers him an extended
harangue upon the duties one comrade
owes another comrade. TT is better
that you see little less than to make
1t dtnicult for many comrades behind
you to witness the show
ask my guide why he takes 1t upon
himself to correct the comrade, who is
In no way inconveniencing us.
1T Is the duty OF o party member to