ABSTRACT
In 1929 Russian industry is in process of being adjusted to a seven-hour day, and this has been partially carried out. The workers are now being accustomed to achieve the same unitary output in seven hours as was formerly done in eight, and apparently with a prospect of success. As a result of all this, Russian industry mainly operates with working costs which, compared with abroad, are simply enormous. In the iron industry, for example, the difference in the year just past amounted to 80 to 100 per cent. Russian industry was never able to compete with foreign industry, and always existed, like an exotic plant, behind high tariff walls. It is interesting to observe with what devices the Bolshevist regime seeks to effect this reduction in working costs, for these devices are substantially nothing less than those of private enterprise. Moreover, the régime is relying upon the strong incentive of advancement to induce capable and ambitious persons to excel.
