The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-02-11
BY EUGENE LYONS
United Press STAFF Correspondent

BY EUGENE LYONS
United Press stan Correspondent
Copyright. 1888. BY United Press
MOSCOW. Feb. IL Further dras-
tic limitations upon the individual
workingman's personal rights may
be expected here as part Of the
regime of heightened revolutionary
vigilance recently announced by
Joseph Stain and other Kremlin
leaders.
Legislation passed several months
ago to discipline" Russia's growing
army of industrial workers unques-
tionably Will have teeth put into it
and enforcement will be made mere
uncompromising
That legislation, it will be re-
called, made it possible to deprive
workman and his family Of job,
food books and home for a single
days unjustified absence from work.
1t also placed the control Of food
supplies directly in the hands Of the
factory administrations.
Lenin Is Quoted
Perhaps the most candid indica-
ton that force Will be used even
against the ruling proletariat, where
necessary. to raise production was
given in his recent speech by
Viacheslav Molotov, premier and
one Of Stains closest associates.
Molotov quoted a passage from
Ienin, in which the Father of Boil
shevism" had said that where pro-
ductivity of labor demands it the
government must not hesitate ito
use force, so that the slogan of
dictatorship of the proletariat may
not be mudded by the practice of
saccaharine methods by the prole-
tartan power"
The emphasis which Molotov gave
this quotation immeasurahly is sig
nificant for the every day living
and working conditions of the
masses.
Perhaps the outstanding paradox
Of this nations social system is the
contrast between the exaltation of
the workers as a class, and their
lack of freedom as individuals.
Their personal lives will be even
further subordinated to the needs
of the Soviet undertaking.
Necessity Is Extreme
1t must be admitted that the
Kremlin acts to limit the rights of
poletarians only under extreme
necessity.
However casual it may be in
liquidating other classes or control
ling the thoughts and actions of
other groups, it proceeds reluctant
ly in relation to the class which
made the success of the BolsheVik
revolution possible.
But the necessity at the present
moment is extreme.
Industrial output has been run
ming startlingly below schedule
Molotov placed the 1882 increase of
output at 8.5 per cent, against the
Sc per cent planned.
Productivity of labor, he said,
practically remained unchanged
during the year. He scarcely is like
ly to eXaggerate in the direction of
pessimiSm
1t may be supposed, therefore,
that the reality was even worse than
he pictured it.
Since lax labor discipline, such as
absence from the factory, negligent
work and fearful spoilage of prod
ucts, is one of the main reasons for
present economic difficulties, the
Tightening of discipline was newt
able.
Prevent Labor Turnover
In particular, it will be the aim
of the authorities to prevent the
diSastrously high turnover of labor
running to 100 or 200 per cent
every month in some factories and
mines.
The broader principles of workers
control of factories was thrown
overheard years ago, with the insti-
tuition of responsible industrial
management.
Every effort still is made to obtain
workers suggestions, and to take
Cognizance of complaints, precisely
as in many intelligently run capital
ist industries
But direct intrusion of factory
hands in administrative matters is
reduced to an absolute minimum.
Doubtless. the tremendous powers
put into the hands of the employ
ers." that is to say, the manage
ment. by recent legislation will be
used as little as possible. But the
mere existence of such powers will
be a deterrent.
No Room for "AgitatOrs"
After ALL the most that capital
ist employer can do is to discharge
worker. The Soviet management
in addition can deprive him of the
right to work anywhere else for
six months. can prevent him from
buving food in official shops, and
can drive him out of his home.
The only capitalist parallel would
be a 'feudal' industrial town III
which one corporation controls
everything, including stores, houS-
ing, education. and in addition has
a private police force to prevent
strikes.
Since the Soviet state is the sole
employer. strikes here rightly are
considered counter-revolutionary
ANY damned agitator" advocating a
factory strike would be subject tc
shooting here as an enemy of the
state.