A PLAN FOR RUSSIA

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 81, 5 April 1923, Page 5

A PLAN FOR RUSSIA

LOSING SUPPORT

THE CLOTHING TRADE.

During 'the last sceral months (says an American journal) there has been an attempt in America to float, among working people and others sympathetic to Russia, an. ambitious scheme to organise the clothing industry in Russia.

William O. Thompson, of the .American Cotton Ojl Company, went to Russia and investigated on behalf of the thousands of working people who have been induced to invest in the company concerned. ..

He is reported as saying that he cannot any longer lend hiis name to an enterprise which threatens those supporting it - with the loss of their investments.

He has, therefore, resigned his position as advisor,, and further says, "No real revival of Russian industry has taken place, and none is possible as long as the Soviet Government persists in its present policy and methods." In his opinion thn money advanced must be viewed as a charitable contribution, bocausa a profitable return is not possible. He further doubts tho Soviet Government's willingness to pay the interest guaranteod when the tinje comes.

Mr. Thompson finds that the immense undertakings which the Soviet hns attempted in the'direction of nationalisation of industry' are proving disastrous. In addition to all the usual functions of government it is trying to run.the industry, finance, and transportation of Russia. As n result, there- are enormous deficits overy year. Hb says: "If you put 5,000,----000,000 dollars into Russia to-day it would not make the slightest impression, for under the Soviet system tho money would be wasted through inefficiency, bad organisation, and a thousand other factors."

One of the most stupid blunders committed has been the driving out of tho country by the Bolsheviks <A all the technical experts. . Russia is still living on . the accumulated stocks ot the old regime. Things.are steadily goVg "from bad to worse," is the statement made.

As an instance of official inexperience and incompetence, Mr. Thompson mentions that in the textile factories, run by the Government, the managerial staffs tate 40 per cent, of the total suit. paid in wages and salaries, instead of the ordinary 10 per cent, usual in countries under private ownership and management. It would certainly appear from this thai it is unwise to induce people to finance schemes of exploitation in Russia at the present time. The American, and British Governments, to say nothing- of the other Governments in Europe, are very anxious to encourage industry in. Russia and to see a return to prosperity there All am affected by Russia's present situation. Many attempts have been made to establish conditions under which capital may bo supplied and the industrial activities of the country made to prosper again. AH thosa efforts, no doubt for the very reasons that induce Mr. Thompson to withdraw his name from the present plan, have failed to start things.

Tne- American Government, like the British, refuse to give officiai sanction to any premature attempt lo poui- inoiipy into Russia. Certain fundamental lessons havo yet In be accented by Russia before thn present unhappy stale can give way to normal conditions. Kvon then, as Mr. Tlioiuusun asserts, "it- u-iil cost Russia a long aiici iminlu! *(V«i-t to struggle buck la her feat,"