PRIVATE TRADE

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 73, 23 September 1939, Page 16

PRIVATE TRADE

RESTORATION IN RUSSIA ;'-*'

A breakdown in the distribution of essential commodities throughout Russia is compelling the Soviet Government to restore a limited form of private trade, according^ to "Pravda, 1* cabled Donald Day from Riga to th« "Chicago recently. "Pravda" complained that residents of MqscW and many- other centres have been unable to purchase vegetables, summer footwear, hats, furniture, knitted goods, and that even supplies- of refreshing drinks and ice cream lasted'only a few hours. The most necessary articles needed to make life livable still are missing, "Pravda" charged. Purges and reorganisations of State retail and wholesale trade enterprises as well as even sterner action taken agains* import- - ant officials of light industries failed to improve the situation, which has developed over a period of* years. Because Government authorities are unable to cope with the crisis, it is now proposed at the suggestion of President M. I. Kalinin—the oldest officeholder in the Bolshevik regime—that small enterprises should be granted freedom to buy, manufacture, and sell products with a minimum of Government control. SITUATION MADE WORSE. "Pravda" made the interesting admission . that excessive Government control in industry, distribution, and trade has, made the situation worse instead |of 'better. It warned that central authorities in the future will consider district and urban administrations saboteurs and wreckers unless an immediate improvement is noted. i Throughout Russia authorities are I granting. tens of thousands of small ; artisans, manufacturers, traders, and i merchants permission to engage openly in private trade". The business class, which for many years was rated as one of the most dangerous enemies of the people and which was persecuted !to the verge of extermination, now is v I being welcomed as the saviour of Russia's half-starved and poorly-clad inhabitants. i From accounts published in the 1 Soviet Press it is evident that Dictator Joseph Stalin sanctioned this new wide swing towards the Right. It would appear that under the pressure * of growing famine and stagnation of State industry .and trade, Kremlin leaders have de-:ded, as did Lenin, to call upon individual initiative and • private enterprise to help combat the present crisis* which threatens th« very foundation of Soviet economy.