The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1932-04-12
BY EUGENE LYONS
United Press stan CorrTspondent

MOSCOW, April l2.-The stand
ard Of living of the Russian people
will be raised from 200 to 300 per
cent by 1887 If the second flve-year
plan is carried out fully
In the voluminous discussions
and resolutions on the new plan,
this is the one fact which more
than any other fixes the attention
of the average Russian.
The zeal with which the second
plan will be pushed by the individ-
ual worker depends upon his faith
in this promise and upon the ability
Of the government to make good
on 1t, at least in part, quickly.
Launching Of the second plan got
of to an unfortunate start. It's an
nouncement conceded with a sharp
and entirely unexpected increase in
prices on every day articles of con-
sumption which to a serious extent
Cancelled the benefits of higher
wages.
Statement Is Indiscreet
The original plan was indiscreet
enough to specify how much more
milk, butter. meat and other prod
Ucts the Russian citizen would con-
sumo by the end Of the plan.
Those specifications never again
we're mentioned in the years Of
direst shortage which followed. But
they have fingered in the popular
memory. In consequence, a con-
siderable cynicism and disillusion-
ment is found about the regimes
ability to improve the everyday lot
OF the average citizen.
That establishment is no Slight
obstacle. The Kremlin is exerting
itself nightly to overcome it.
First, the distribution of food,
clothes, furniture, household goods,
ETC., and the manufacture of some
of these things were placed in the
control of special commissariat of
supplies, headed by Anastas Miko-
yam.
Directs Manufactures
More recently a conmissariat OF
light industry was organized, with
1sidore Lubimov at it's head, to di-
rect the manufacture of goods Of
general use.
Thus in the strongest possible
terms the Soviet leaders are DEM
onstrating their determination to
conquer this side Of their plan even
as they are conquering heavy indus
try.
Although there is widespread
disappointment with the accom-
plishments to date in the matter
of living conditions, those accom-
plishments are by no means neg
ligible.
Human nature is remarkably
prevalent, even under Bolshevism.
the Soviet citizen puts far more
stress on what he lacks than he
does on what he possesses.
No Lack of Jobs
The abolidon of unemployment
has removed the fear of being job
less. There may not be enough
Of various products to go around,
but he is at least assured of the
minimum required for mere sub
sistence.
The hunger for labor power has
drawn other members Of his family
into industry. The majority of
families, in fact, have more than
one wage Garner.
Similarly, the fears of illness, old
age, and disability have been dis
sipated. The poverty of the lands
keeps insurance facilities on a mod
est level, but a minimum protection
against all economic disasters is
available.
Then there have been consider
able advances culturally which
the man disgruntled over food
end housing shortages too often
oyerlookS. Millions now can read
and write who were totally litter
ate before the five-year plan was
begun.
Children Get Education
Practically all children are in
schools, which was not the case
four years ago. Factory kitchens
are increasing in number. Modern
civilization has been brought to re-
mote regions.
There is a great deal of truth,
too, in the kremlin's insistence that
the unprecedented increase in de-
mand for goods creates shortage
despite enlarged production.
However valid the reason for
these shortages, they are most harm
tul from the kremlins viewpoint.
There can be no doubt of the ut
ter seriousness of its present drive
for better living conditions. The
5econd five-year plan can not af-
ford to fail on that point.