SEPTEMBER 23, 1960
English Teacher Tours Moscow
With a complete Russian vocabulary of "yes", "no", and "thank you", Mr. Ralph Caprio of the English and personnel departments toured Moscow for eight days in an effort to learn more about Soviet educational and social welfare facilities.
Upon his arrival at the airport, Mr. Caprio was stopped by customs officials who believed him to be carrying 30 copies of propaganda material. Before this misunderstanding could be cleared up, an interpreter had to be called. When the truth was finally explained to the officials, Mr. Caprio was released. The 30 copies of propaganda material? Maine West Dedication booklets! This school has come to the attention of the Russians..
"A visitor in Russia has no choice of hotel accommodations; he must stay where the government tells him to stay," related Mr. Caprio. "All hotels are owned by the government."
Americans in Russia
An American tourist in Russia is treated well, although permanent residents there are constantly followed and often harassed.
The Russian people that Mr. Caprio met seemed to like the Americans, although they distrust and fear our leaders. They crave information about America. A U.S. magazine such as Time sells for $5 on the black market. Even so, many Russians have a distorted idea of American life. Many are well informed about juvenile delinquency and crime here, but many also believe that our automobiles cost $100 apiece, and that an American man buys on the average of two suits a week!
A Date in Russia
A date in Russia is very different from a night out in America. The young people usually walk to their destination, because it is rare for a teenager to own a car. The choice of places to go is limited. There is the opera, the ballet, the museums, or the movie houses. The latter are always very crowded, although more expensive than the former. Consequently, the evening is usually spent in walking.
Mutual Surveillance
In Russia there is a tremendous sense of mutual aid and surveillance. For instance, if someone cheats in school, he may be reported to the police by his classmates. The government has told the people what the ideal Soviet person is like, and they are told to imitate this model. Anyone deviating from the ideal is considered in bad taste, and may even be reported to the police by a friend. Thus, fear is an important instrument of control in the Soviet Union.
Mr. Caprio tells of the Moscow subway, probably the finest in the world. It is kept spotlessly clean, but more than that the walls are of marble, and from the ceiling hang crystal chandeliers! This is a result of the fact that art is encouraged in the USSR. Public buildings such as hotels (and subways) are extremely ornate.
Non-Capitalism
Everything imaginable in Russia is state owned ho-tels, taxis, businesses, newspapers, and the stands they are sold in. There is only one form of private enterprise: a few people are allowed their own garden plot of land, and are permitted to sell their produce. Otherwise, people are almost completely dependent upon the state. It is interesting to note, therefore, that the government s now encouraging the people to save their money and buy their own houses on government owned land.
Impressions
"Everyone on the streets seemed to know where they were going," relates Mr. Caprio. "They walked rapidly and seemingly with a purpose. I was also impressed by the punctuality of the Russians; their airplanes leave precisely on time, their operas start promptly. I also recall that during the entire time I was in Russia, I never saw a gas station, nor heard a fire engine."
Communism Not Perfect
"One important dissatisfaction the people have with the government is the indifference the regime has toward human suffering," emphasized Mr. Caprio. "The individual is completely subordinated to state, and many demands are made of the people. Other grievances include the lack of adequate housing, inadequate supply of consumer goods, the ever-present terror of the secret police, and the growing agricultural problems."
"We should not underestimate the Russians," he concluded. "Their major goal is to surpass the U. S., and the government is directing all its energy toward this end. The people are pleased with Com-munism because of the tremendous improvement it has made in the country. They have seen other countries turn Communist and are, therefore, seiz-ed with a sense of national purpose; they feel that their way of life is best, not only for them, but for the rest of the world besides."
Next week: Education in Russia.