Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-07
New Russian Wage Policies
Appraised as Soviet Failure

Adoption OF piecework as the basis
of payment for labor In Russia is viewed
by Americans as evidence of the failure
of a fundamental principle Of Com
munism The Soviet government Is be-
lieved to have returned to the meth
DDS of the industrial system that it has
opposed. Interest in the shipment OF
lumber to this country, and the ruling
as to the character Of the labor in
volved, also has been aroused. Elm
nation of the ''kulaks" Is accepted as
evidence OF the concentration Of power
in the present Russian administration.
Significance in the announcement of
"a radical change in the Soviet policy
and attitude with reference to remuner-
alton for workers in the industrial
plants Of Russia" is seen by the Char
lotte Observer, with emphasis on the
fact that "the arrangements OF indi-
vidual factories, mines, railroads and
farms win be shouldered with greater
responsibility and will be given free
rein in the matter of adjusting wages
and rewards of workers" The Observer
concludes as to the effect of the change
in methods: cit Is said that certain
elements In Soviet Russia view with
considerable regret this compromise
with capitaliStic ideas and ideals, but
governmental leaders are confident that
ton, eliminate waste and NIX response
bility for arrangements and workers.
Where production slumps, wages viii be
reduced: where output increases. wages
and bonuses will be proportionately
raised. Thus, even Soviet Russia.
where the most advanced and radical
OF Communistic theories have had full
sway, has decided that after all, per-
hapS, it Is better to reward individuals
according to their capacity and useful
ness to the community, rather than to
attempt to keep them all on the game
plane and give to the sluggsrd the
same remuneration that is received by
the Industrious and capable"
AS interpreted by the Chicago Daily
Tribune, this is abrogation of one of
the central principles of Socialism
from every one according to his ability;
to every one according to his needs"
The Tribune declares that this dogma
Is dear to the sentimentalist," and con-
tinues: 1T represents what we believe
is called the higher justice, though to
many OF us the justice IS not as clear
as it might be. Its main weakness is
that 1t doesn't work. This Is denied,
of course. by the theoretical Socialist,
but experience does not support him.
Stain, although he purportS to be
Communist OF the StricteSt orthodoxy,
probably did not expect 1t to work, and
now he has reached q point in his
experimentation when the demonstra-
ton of its unworkability has become so
conclusive and results so critical that
he can afford to act in accordance
with it. So the Soviet rule throws
overheard the most sacred principle Of
Socialism and adopts openly what Is
the handspring Of the capitalist system.
The economic equality which Com
Is guaranteed to establish goes
and the proletarian will get
what he works for rather than what
he Is supposed to need. This will, of
course, be justified by the party d.
rectors as merely q temporary resort,
another strategic retreat, but 1t Is IN
fact q surrender. of the essential
principles Of Communism, an adoption
Of the essential principle OF tndi-
vidualism. The whole controversy be-
tween the two orders of society de-
ponds upon this issue"
Soviet Russia pays still another
tribute to the hated capitalistic plan"
says the Atlanta Journal, observing
that 1t sets up "a wage system based |
on actual productivity instead of the
oretical equality" The Journal COM
ments on the new development in the
country governed by the Communists:
This Is not the first concession of its
kind. Repeatedly it has been pointed
out that highly skilled Russian me-
chanics earned from 10 to 20 times the
average stipend in their field of labor, |
and twice within the last three months |
the government has had recourse to |
wages in particular indus |
tries Is q means OF Quickening output |
In one case bonuses were offered. The |
change. however, is especially signif-
can't in that 1t has to do with produc- |
ion in the large. The adven- |
ture that set out to abolish the in |
qualities OF capitalism. scorning to |
individual self-interest, Is
now seen appealing to those same in |