The Waterbury Democrat., 1931-08-18

, offer to take you to your hotel, about a 15-minute drive, for the modest sum of $S, so you turn to the next hack to open negotiations. | By this time, the first cabbie has decided to cut his offer in half. You tremblingly climb into the hack and pray it will at least hold out until you can reach your hotel.
 Driving through the streets of great number of soldries coming and going. They appear tobe the best fed and best dressed men in Moscow and all are In the pink of physical condition. They are re- cruited from all parts of the Soviet union. Many racial types are rep resented in the ranks of the larg- est army in the world.
 Long lines of people standing in the streets recall the many stories | of the Moscow bread line. You may be rather surprised to learn that they are merely waiting for the Russian equivalent of fifth avenue bus. There are, however, many real food lines, where people stand for
 
 modity which they have lacked Tor months.
 Moscow hotels take great pleas ure in extracting capitalist dollars from foreign pocket books. A room which recalls the Ritz because 1t IS so different may be had for $lo with no extra charge for nies or less pleasant insects.
 The food situation is not dihcult for a. foreigner, for he can secure about anything he wants at the larger hotels. A fairly good lunch may be had for about $6. The leading Moscow hotel for foreign CTS had installed modern Am erican bar" to attract the foreign trade. The prices at the bar com pare favorably with those else where in Europe according to peo- pie who have made an extensive study of the bar situation.
 A troupe of gypsies in brilliant colored costumes which are seen nowhere else in Russia, help to en- liven the scene for the visiting fireman. But unless a ship load of tourists has arrived in Leningrad few days earlier and swelled the number of foreigners in Moscow, 30 gypsies on the stage performing for a half dozen guests on the dining room floor is not an awe inspiring sight.
 If you are lucky. some Russian officials may invite you to dine with them one evening at the palatial residence of a nobleman of the an- cient regime. While in the house across the street seven workers families eat their meal of greasy Russian soup and black bread, you fare served in the more elaborate home with a magnificent twelve course meal. The table is covered with gold edged china of former grand dukes. Vodka and wine are served from gold trimmed crystal glasses. A waiter, who may have served the last of the Romanoffs, now serves excellent caviar to the communist officials and their guests. After the meal there I now need to hunt for taxi. A new Packard sedan which, it is careful ly explained, does not belong to an individual but to the foreign office, takes you back to your hotel.
 Life is pleasant and easy for a | foreigner in Russia but the Rus sian has to make the best of what he has for there Is nothing else for him to do. The closer he is to com munsm the better off he is, for with complete adoption of the new faith" come many privileges un- available to the unbeliever.
 (TO- morrow: Russian women like to drive steam rollers, and all ma. chinery seems to fascinate them.)