The Key West citizen., 1953-10-02
Well-Heeled Citizens In Russia
Russians Grow Increasingly Class-Conscious

Ediier's Nefs---So the Russians
are all one happy family in .
Clashes" society? Tom Whitney,
AP correspondent who lived in
Moscow nine years, says the Rus
sian upper class Is growing rather
than diminishing. THIS is the last
of q series Of articles by Whitney.
LONDON IA jewelry store on
Moscow's Petrovka street recently
displayed an emerald Of several
carats, priced at $4,000 rubles.
That is about a. much as an
average Russian would earn in 4h
years. Il Is officially $3.50.
The store displayed the jewel be-
cause 1t knew there were potential
customers.
Soviet propaganda contends So
Wet society Is "classless." Anyone
who has seen Soviet citizens riding
around Moscow in big, black Zis
or Zim Imousines viii realize this
is not so.
Small Pobeda automobiles are
priced at $1,000 rubles $4,000
each. The demand is such that
a long line Of prospective pur-
chasers assemblies each morning
at Moscow's one auto store. This
means certain Russians can lay
down In cash as much as the aver
age workers earns in two years
(there is no installment buying).
The evidence that some Russians
live a lot better than others is
all about in Moscow.
Who are these well-heeled citi-
Sens?
First of all. the upper class In
cludes officers, particularly the
senior officers in the armed serv-
ices, and Of militarized and semi.
militarized organizations such as
the police.
There are high.ranklns industrial
and economic executives, scientists
and research men. There are re-
sponsible government and party Of
ficials, and successful PEOPLE from
the literary and artistic world. A
certain number Ut teehnicians and
workers, for reason Of special skills
or work In particular regions, bene-
fit from special bonus payment
schemes. Certain collective farm
executives and farmers benefit
from special bonus schemes for
particular crops. Finally, some
doctors and other professional men
have lucrative private practice.
Oftentimes big apartments cost
ing nothing or almost nothing, the
use Of an official car at all times,
and like privileges 60 with Jobs
the regime considers important.
This upper class is certainly in
creasing in size. As the state grows
larger and more complex it needs
more and more executives and
specialists.
Some Soviet citizens make fam
tastic amounts Of money. This ap-
plies particularly to the more re.
nowned doctors with private prac-
tice. Writers, if successful, earn
so much money they don't know
how to spend it Top scientists and
generals are said to make very
big salaries. And income tax rates
are low--the top surtax rate is ls
per cent for workers and EN-.
ployes"--a category which includes
most of the upper class.
How do people get into the upper
class?
The main factor TO start with
is education. Talent. hard work
and occasional intrigue also play
vital roles.
Some sprang from the pre.reyo-
lutionary upper AMI middle class.
Most Of the present members.
however, were brought up by the
Revolution from families of work
ers and peasants. These people are
particularly strong for the Soviet
regime, Of course, since it gave
them their opportunities.
Access Of the upper class is still