The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1931-12-10
A Soviet Cooperative Department Store.


revolution they have achieved not only their
freedom but also have so arranged production
that all have jobs and good wages, then naturally
their wants expand at a tremendous rate. The
moro they develop socially and culturally, the
more their wants increase. In highly industrial
lied country under workers control this question
would be easily solved since the factories to pro-
duce the required goodsare already at hand.
But in country largely agrarian and very back
ward economically as Russia was when the work
ers took charge the matter is not so simple. 1t
takes time to build factories and train labor
forces to supply for instance all the toothbrushes
for millions of teeth which never felt the need
for such until short time ago, to furnish ma
chine made clothing in place Of home-spun, and
to supply boots and shoes for nearly hundred
million villagers who have discarded their cloth
leg wrappings and demand footwear the same
as their city brothers.
The first job, as the Communist Party lead the
Russian masses to understand was to build up
the basic industries, the Notwithstanding, fuel,
motor, tractor, and other industries which would
guarantee the industrial independence of the
country from capitalist powers and at the same
time to furnish the basis for rapid expansion Of
industries supplying goods for consumption. This
is one of the main aims of the Five Year Plan
to make possible a radical improvement in the
masses standard of living Because the masses
realize this they work with redoubled enthusiasm
for socialist construction.
Now the third, decisive year of the Five Year
Plan is nearing completion, the workers know
that the time has arrived when they can enjoy
more fully the fruits of their toll. Rightly they
demand of the state trusts and cooperative Or
izations entrusted with the distribution OF sup
plies How are you fulfilling your part Of the
plan?" This is what gives particular significance
to such meetings as the one we are now attend
ing.
While waiting for the conference to begin we
looked about There were many youth among
the delegates-girls with silk scarfs and red kerr
chiefs tied about their heads boys in their late
teens who joined good-natWedly among them
selves. Some of the delegates had brought their
children. It might have been workers gathering
in the States, but for these differences: Around
us were red banners testfying to socialist con-
struction. Above all the faces, the general man
ner of these tolers testified to the changes which
take place in human life where capitalism is re-
placed by workers rule. In contrast to the har-
raised look of American workers these men,
women. and youth had calm, confident express
sion that springs from economic security and
the consciousness of collective power.
The chairman OF the Electrozavod factory
Com, Comrade Macaroff, an electrical worker,
called the meeting to order and directing COM
mittee, termed presidun was elected Most
Of those chosen were the shock brigaders those
workers who voluntarily had taken the lead in
increasing the quality and quantity of output in
their departments. Amid great applause the po-
litical committee of the Communist Party was
also elected as honorary presidium ut is in
ways like this that one sees the great esteem
which the masses have for their Party.
The delegates listened with the closest atten-
ton TO the report of the temperatures director,
Conrad Koodriafseff It was obvious that he had
to deal with an intelligent and critical audience.
The local cooperative, he reported, had grown
from a membership of $4,000 at the beginning
of the year TO over 41o0o at the present time. OF
these. 1900 we're Industrial workers, 1880 we're
office workers and 1880 we're children About 80
per cent of the 21,ooo employed at the Electro
zavod belonged, spending about s. per cent OF
their wages through the co-operatives.
In the past three months the cooperative
STORES had distributed the following amount OF
goods among its members: $4,000 pairs OF shoes.
II 900 pairs of rubbers 4,691 mems suits, 5000
women's dresses, 1000 children's garments and
s.T3o raincoats. At the same time 100000 yards
of wool goods and over 10000 dollars worth Of
s.lk, epuaarg about 100000 yards had been given
i i