WOMEN AS MINERS IN RUSSIA.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXIII, Issue 3251, 20 February 1933, Page 2

WOMEN AS MINERS IN RUSSIA.

The Soviet Government has authorised the introduction of women laborers for underground work in Soviet coalmines, and has permitted the Commissariat of Labor to waive the restrictions in Article 129 of the Soviet Labor Code, which forbids the employment of women underground. The Donetz Basin has already taken the first women’s “brigades” down the coal pits, where they work alongside the men, assisting the hewers and acting as trimmers or haulers. A number of them are registered as “shock women,” and according to Soviet reports they are working magnificently at and near the coal face. Two have already received special distinctions of merit for underground work in the Donetz mines. Apparently the introduction of women labourers is intended to shame the men into greater activity, as, although 80,000 additional workers have been employed since 1931, the output in the Donetz mines continues to fall, and recently reached its lowest level since 1930. Farmer Jones sold some of his livestock at the market in the country town. After the deal the buyer proceeded to settle his account. “I’ll just cross the cheque, and that will finish the matter,” he said. “What do you mean by that?” asked the farmer. "Oh,” smiled the buyer, “I just draw two lines across the cheque with my pen and write ‘and Co.’ between them.” The old farmer shook his head defiantly. “Oh, no, you don’t!” he said, “I’m only selling the pigs, and not the cow.” A waiter in a small restaurant was having a trying tim6 with a fractious customer. “Waiter,” shouted the customer, “what on earth is wrong with these eggs?” “I don’t know,” retorted the waiter; “I only laid the table.”

“Well, old boy,” said Blank, “as you work on the stage, you’ll be able to get me some tickets for a show.” "And as you work in a bank,” re joined the actor, “perhaps you’ll get me some bank-notes!”