Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-18
SEES NO SOVIET
THREAT TO i. S.
Prof. Harper Finds Russians
Lack Initiative and Enter
prise of Americans.

BERLIN, august lo.-AmeGlCd, III
the opinion of DIR. Samuel N. Harper,
professor of Russian history and in
stitutions at the University OF Chicago,
has nothing to fear from Soviet Russia,
indastrially, politically or socially.
The professor was interviewed yes
terday by the Associated Press corre-
spondent as he passed through here on
his way back TO America after two
months of intensive study OF present.
dav conditions in Russia.
Prof. Harper, who visited Russia on
and off for IS years and is regarded
as an international authority on slavic
affairs, was accompanied on his recent
tour. which included the Ukraine,
Northern Caucasus and the Volga and
Leningrad regions, by Dr. Walter LIGHT
enstein, vice president of the First Ma
tional Bank of Chicago.
although Soviet Russia is making
great strides industrially,' the professor
said, sit is doubtful If it will ever reach
the high level of the United States
because it lacks not only the necessary
capital, but the engineering and ad-
minsstrative skill and the natural in
itiative and enterprise of Americans.
In a political and social way, Boil
shevik Russia holds no menace for us
because in the IS years the SovietS
have been In power Communism has
made virtually no Roadway in the
United States. The present standard
of life in Russia is so appallingly low
that no American workman, however
humbly placed, would adopt Com
muriSm."
The class struggle in Russia, Prof
Harper believes, is becoming increaS-
ingly bitter. He thinks that although
this is the thirteenth year of the reVo-
luton, Russia now is facing its most
critical and decisive period since the
rise to power of the BolsheviSts.
In Stains last speech at the Com
munist Congress- there was significant
paragraph in which the Red dictator
pointed out that Soviet Russia is now
in the period of Socialism
Before. Russia was only i'm the road
to Socialism The concrete expression of
the new stage is the famous five-year
characterization plan, now at the end
of its second year, and the political and
economic doctrines underlying the
revolution are being put to real test.
'"rhe rest of the world appears to be
much interested in the outcome of the
experiment, but is not, think, as deeply
concerned, nor even as vitality influence
ed, as the Moscow leaders or as anti
Soviet propagandists on the outside like
to believe"
Prof. Harper found the Soviets had
made enormous progress industrially
within the past few years. but thought
the five-year plan imposed terrific
burdens upon the people.
Living conditions, he said, have be-
come much worse. Prices have reached
such fantastic levels as TO suggest
deliberate imitation. In almost all the
elementary needs of life an acute short
age exists. Bread, meat, sugar, butter
and other foodstuffs are being sharply
rationed.
Lines of people, he remarked, may
everywhere be seen patiently waiting
for their allowance of food. They are
bluntly told by the government that for
the sake Of future generations they must
suffer for another two or three years.
The peasants, he continued, are
tent that the metal has almost ceased
to be medium of payment in Russia.
At the same time the city population is
converting paper money into tangible
articles of merchandise, which can later
be sold or exchanged for foodstuffs if
the ruble collapses.
He found dearth of shoes, dress
goods. paper, tobacco and other articles.
A pair of new shoes in Moscow costs
100 rubles (the gold ruble is worth about
80 cents.
He observed that most Americans
who came to Russia now brought their
own food, though none of the Ameri-
can engineers domiciled there ever went
in want. because the government gives
them the preference over the native |
population.
1.-THE coming Winter win be most
serious one for the Soviets, and may
well try their entire economic edifice
But the crop promises to be one of the
best in their history, and may save the
situation"
Discussing Russias industrial and
economic situation, PROT Harper said:
'While the Soviets have built a number
of gigantic factories, grain elevators,
hydro-electric enterprises and steel and
iron foundries, the construction is not
always of the best.
Where these factories are actually
producing, the quality in some cases is
distinctly poor But still all these things
may be considered a big plus to be
created TO the account of the revolu-
tior.
On the political side there are also
distinct pluses TO be noted. but at the
same time there are disconcerting
minuses. The younger generation is full
Of enthusiasm. inspired by the propa-
gaIda Of the revolution and less sensi-
tive to difficult living conditions.
On the other hand, machinery and
equipment suffer from the lack of skill
and the revolutionary zeal and speed
manifested by the young people.
The sharpening of the class strug-
gle that has come in the past two years
Is new factor in the situation. For
the Communists, the resumption of the
Socialist offensive, with its slogan Pull
capitalism out by the roots is a great
positive development. For the non-Com-