New Britain herald., 1930-07-30
Exports of Russian Soviet Play
 Important Part In Bolshevists'
 Program of Economic Expansion
Nation Drafts Labor in Attempt to Provide Sure Foundation for Future Growth.
Copyright 1s3O by United Press)


 Russia launched her famous five year economic program in 1928, vast concerted effort to pull the country out of economic mire, she set powerful forces in motion which are just now beginning to have seri- ous repercussions here.
 Never before except in wartime has the world witnessed such an in- tense economic drive by a nation. By a combination of self-denial and zeal approaching the fanatical, and a virtual industrial draft of some sections of the population, Russia is fighting for an economic position with a determination which has be- gun to cause concern in some sec tions of American industry.
 While many American business men regard the attempted economic re-birth of Russia as a new trade opportunity, others see in it a new trade menace. These latter are be- ginning to be heard from in en- phatic terms.
 Business associations have seized on a ready means of combating Russian competition through sec tions of the new tariff act prohibit ing imports of goods made under conditions which obtain, to some eX- tent, in Russia.
 Trade Volume Jumps
 This embryo trade war, officials agree, is bound to have an effect on the rapidly growing commerce be- tween the United States and the So- viet, which jumped from virtually nothing in immediate postwar years to s107.26U,919.
 Lumber, pulp wood, manganese end coal are the principal Soviet commodities which American pro ducers are trying to shut out. All are important Soviet products. All are sent out from Russia with the hope of building up big foreign credits for an undeUap pitalized state. Economists say all of these must be sold by the Soviet in large quanti- ties if her ambitious plan of expan- sion is to be realized.
 Producers of coal pulp wood and lumber charge these products are produced in Russia by convict la bor. Section 3O7 of the tariff bill bars such goods. Manganese com panies, on the other hand allege Soviet Russia is dumping" this i'm portant commodity, indispensable for steel-making, in the United States at less than cost.
 This position is supported by statement in the current reports" Of the commerce department
 Russia apparently has succeed ed" it said, in capturing the great CT part of the United States market for manganese ore. Imports from that source increased more than 60.- GOO tons over receipts of the 1929 quarter"
 A Vast proportional increase in Russian lumber exports to the Unit ed States is revealed in the trade figures. Even so. the amount is small. In 1921 the Soviet sent only 1010o0 board feet valued at s9621 to our shore. In 1928 this increaa- ed to 1,521,00O board feet worth S56.513. Most of it comes from around Archangel or from an island in the White sea. Authorities on Russia say vast numbers of arrest ed kulaks or wealthy peasants, are forced to work there
 In 1929, Russia sent 113.1TO tons Of coal worth S737,176 to this coun- try. This is infntesimal when com pared to our domestic output Coal producers and officials. however, have not lost sight of the pressing over production problem and it's re- sulting depression on mine workers here.
 To a people like the Russians, who are exporting their butter and eggs, when they need them to eat, in order to further the "fve-vear plan>| such exports are of consum- mate importance, economists be- lieve.
 On the other side of the trade picture-and likewise menaced by developments of the last few weeks are American exports 10 the So- viet. These bulk far larger than the incoming products.
 Cotton is king of them all Tn 1929 the southern states supplied 289,161 bales-15 ,2S6,520 pounds worth S29492,53o 10 Soviet Russia. Some of this went by way of Great Britain, but much was sent direct.
 This enormous cotton trade took a sharp upward leap after Great Britain broke off diplomatic rela- tions with the Soviet in 1927.
 In 1922 the United States sent Russia only 1000 bales, in 1926 it had risen to 262,276 bales, then in 1927 it jumped to 474,9OO bales. Since. it has declined again. reput- edly as the result of the growing competition from the Near East.
 Agricultural implements follow close behind cotton in importance. In 1921 Russian purchases from the Lhlted States were worth only s311,046. Last year the figure grew to S20,121,429. These implements particularly, trade experts say. are vital to the success of the Russian egrarian program.
 CASH REGISTER EARNINGS
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