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, cabled Donald Day from Riga to the ‘ Chicago Tribune ’ recently. “ Pravda ” complained that residents of Moscow 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 against important officials of light industries failed to improve the situation, which has developed over a perod 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 office-holder 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. Throughout Russia authorities are granting tens of thousands of small artisans, 'manufacturers, traders, and merchants permission to engage openly in private trade. The business class, which for many years was rated as one of tho most dangerous enemies rf the people and which was persecuted to the
verge of extermination, now is being welcomed as the saviour of Russia s half-starved and poorly-clad inhabitants. From accounts published in the Soviet Press it is evident that Dictator Joseph Stalin sanctioned this new, vide swing towards the Right. It would appear that under the pressure of growing famine and stagnation of State industry and trade, Kremlin leaders have decided, as did Lenin, to call upon individual initiative and private enterprise to help combat the present crisis, which threatens the very foundation of Soviet economy!
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Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 6
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353PRIVATE TRADE Evening Star, Issue 23383, 28 September 1939, Page 6
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