The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1934-12-12
World Front
BY HARRY CANNES

IT is not very often that we
L review foreign books in
this column, especially en-
cyclopedias. But we have
just read enough of the trans
lations of five volumes of the
"Krokodil' encyclopedia, pub
lished in the Soviet Union, to know
that it is necessary to review it for
the political education of our read
ers. "Krokodil" is described as a hu.
morous weekly, but often manages
to be highly political.
In many cases, because of the in-
volved and intricate nature of the
subject dwelt on, illustrations are
used to help the reader out of the
maze Of distractions. Since we can
not reproduce the pictures, we will
have to quote only from these def
nitions that more or less explain
themselves.
Each volume is carefully planned,
as for example Vol. w, which deals
with Literature to Pluto"
The 'Krokodil" encyclopedia has
a faint resemblance to some of the
methods of treatment in Johnson's
dictionary, as, for instance, when he
defined the word patriotism" as
the "last refuge of a scoundreI."
All manner Of scientific, techni-
cal and biographical subjects are
included. For example here is how
the subject of chemistry is treated,
with particular reference to pow
der, toOth-teeth of German citi-
zen, after quiet session in a police
court"
ONCE agriculture is of vast i'm
" poTtance in the Soviet Union.
"Krokodir' has something to say on
the subject, not in the least hiding
various difficulties confronted.
Strawberries" are thus defined:
Grow on bushes and rot in freight
cars. Strawberry jam in jars Is la
belled black currant."
Instead of using whole pages to
describe some countries, "Kroko-
dis" encyclopedia tells more of
Switzerland in the following few
words than the National Geographic
does in an entire issue:
We quote from Vol. ": "Switzer-
land-famouS for its cheese, COWS
with bells on and politicians. At
times, these items mix their func-
tons. There has been no report Of
cheese being made out of cowbells,
but a lot of mooing was heard dur
ing the period when the U. S. S. r,
was entering the League of Ma
tons"
Referring back to Vol. I, it is in
teresting to note that the very first
item deals with a religious subject,
"Amen," which is defined: "a re-
ligious slavonic word meaning truth.
This word cannot be attached to
any Shimbun Rengo Agency dis
patch Japanese official news serv-
ice)."
IN Vol. v, under the sub-heading
wv" there is very appropriate
subject recalling the fact that Gen
eral Smedley Butler revealed that
he was approached by Wall Street
bankers to be the fascist chief to
ride to Washington on white
horse"
White Horse" in "Krokodil's"
encyclopedia is treated as follows:
Mythical means of transportation
which the white guards at one time
hoped to use in riding into Moscow
after their victory over the Bolshe-
viks. Having lost to the Bolsheviks,
they waved their hands at the white
horse and changed to white taxi
cabs on which they work nowadays
in Paris and other European cities
as chauffeurs. Always willing to re-
ceive tip. They are very lonesome
and dream of restoration. Let them
continue to dream peacefully. Please
don't disturb them, would-be taxi
riders"
Since our space is limited we will
refrain from further comment.
trusting to our readers to get a COM
pleter idea Of the scope of the en-
cyclopedia by the following two def
nitions chosen at random:
MENSHEVIKS-special variety Of
IVA political corpses. They exist in
some cheap foreign tombs from
where they attempt to overthrow
the Soviet power. During the past
years, the monolithic ranks of the
party of the Mensheviks numbered
eight, of which eleven are in the
central committee while the rest are
guests of the porter of the palace
of the League of Nations as repre-
sentative future owners of former
Russia. At times may be found in
the lobby hall of the Second Inter-
national where they receive free
tickets to the buffet and are al
lowed to vote during the internis-
sions between sessions"
"0CTOBER-the only month which
" can come any time in the year
in any country. October in the Slav
language means leaves falling.
That's an old definition, for other
things fall in October besides leaves.
Leaves may fall but will appear
q again six months hence. while any,
thing else that falls can't be re-
stored A very serious month.
Some astrologists claim that Oc-
tober helps Saturn or Venus. Again
these wise men are ancient in their
suggestions. The battleship Au-
rora helps October, whenever
needed. In the Roman calendar Oc-
tober was the eighth month. In
bourgeois calendars it will be the
last.
THE complete history of October