Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-17
BY RANDALL HEYMANsoN.

Every bushel of wheat Russia dumps
! abroad betrays to the outside world the
embarrassment of her rulers.
No merchant whose affairs are in
good order sells his goods at bankruptcy
prices. No business man makes slash
of rs per cent or more in his prices
when per cent cut on large turn
over would be SUFFICIENT to win custom
from his competitors.
Yet this is precisely what the Soviet
! is doing. Only two explanations are
possible Either Russia is deliberately
seeking to ruin the worlds markets or
her rulers have lost their heads in their
anxiety to obtain money
The first explanation must, think,
be discarded. The small group of men
who rule Russia are admittedly hostile
to the capitalist countries and would be
glad enough to strike a shrewd blow at
their prosperity, but the position of this
Russian group at home is far too in
secure to risk any trouble with Europe
or America.
Leaders Held Against War.
Despotisms have been known to en-
bark upon warlike adventures to dis
tract attention from domestic failures.
This, however, is not the policy of the
Kremlin. Despite the ceaseless propa-
ganda of the comintern abroad, the
Saber rafting of Communist orators
at home and the restleSsness of certain
generals of the Red army who yearn to
tread the path to glory, peace at any
price is likely to be the policy of Stain
and his associates for several years to
come
When in the Spring of 1928 the Soviet
Congress ratified the f1ve-year plan the
administration found itself committed
to what may be one of the greatest
CANDLES in history.
Almost incredible promises were made.
Within five years industrial productivity
was TO be 267 times as great as in
1928; the national income was to be
raised from PAT milliards of rubles to
1913 milliards; costs of production were
to be reduced by 80 per cent: wages
raised by $3.50 per cent; the output OF
each worker was to double itself.
Thanks to ruthless disregard of the
individual amounting almost to cruelty
at the end of the first years work, the
program was for the most part accom-
plished and in some directions sur
passed. Success proved intoxicating
to the younger and more, ardent Com
munists and led to a demand for the
''five-year plan in four years." to which
the Congress committed itself last May.
Blow at Family Life.
Still further calls we're made. on the
enthusiasm and patience of the worker.
The fve-day week, allowing one days
rest In every five, and the Introduction
of continuous shifts that Russia's few
and treasured machines might never be
idle separated husbands and wives and
dealt serious blow at what remains
of family life In the cities.
Certainly conditions could not be
described as idyllic. CHANGED to visit
q large industrial establishment toward
notwithstanding TO general belief
few restrictions are placed on. ones
movements once one receives permission
to visit Russia unescorted. Passing
through cold and draughty room
noticed dozen or so workmen Sleep
ing on the floor without covering or
mattress. They had just come of duty.
In fairness it must be remembered
that they were probably used to little
better, certainly not in Czarist days.
But the contrast between the promises
and performances Of socialism was UNI
expected.
Russia, in fact, is placing its Utopia
in the future-a risky procedure, often
destructive of sane idealism. While
= Y.