02/14 | Tuesday
Stock Exchange Gazette, No. 16098 (Morning Edition) TO THE OPENING OF THE STATE DUMA The Duma During the War …In the past two and a half years, every session of the State Duma was accompanied by a high lift in the national mood. But now the State Duma is convening amidst extraordinary circumstances and under exceptional conditions of internal life. Perhaps, the immediate future has never seemed as dark, mysterious, and uncertain as it does now… The last session of the Duma, convened on November 1st, is still fresh in everyone’s memory. The most important and serious speeches delivered from the Duma tribune on November 1st have not been made public, although they led to the resignation of the former Chairman of the Council of Ministers, B. V. Shturmer. The State Duma sessions were interrupted for 10 days and resumed on November 19th under a new Prime Minister—A. F. Trepov. However, the progressive bloc had already adopted the well-known formula regarding the necessity of bringing to power individuals trusted by the country… The Duma was unexpectedly dissolved after futile attempts to prevent it from speaking about the obstacles being placed in the way of the city and all-earth unions. During the recess, Prince N. D. Golitsyn was called to power… N. G. Shcheglovitov took the post of Chairman of the State Council. These are the changes that precede the opening of the doors of the Tauride Palace…
Statement by M.V. Rodzyanko …In response to the question posed to him, the Chairman of the State Duma, M.V. Rodzyanko, stated: «You are interested in my opinion regarding the announcement of the chief commander of the Petrograd Military District, which speaks of some demonstration by the working masses on the day the State Duma opens. I am deeply convinced that all Russian workers from all factories and plants are quite patriotic, and therefore all these rumors and suppositions seem completely unbelievable… I consider all street demonstrations extremely harmful to our common cause, and the inevitable unrest will only benefit the Germans. I sincerely hope that the workers will refrain from this, and that the resumption of the State Duma’s sessions will not be overshadowed by such an action that will sow confusion in the minds of the people and hinder the successful execution of the immense state tasks that lie upon all of us, and on the State Duma in particular.»
Russkaya Volya, No. 43 The State Duma’s Responsibility The State Duma convenes once again today. Hardly has there been a moment in the history of our national representative body that has been more difficult or more responsible… The State Duma is the people’s trustee. It stands first; it speaks and acts on behalf of the people. And—it is vitally important that its words and actions evoke the approval and consent of the people. For if this is not the case—then the apparatus of popular representation transforms from a factor of organization into a factor of popular disorganization… Truly, this is what our enemies would most desire. When the war began, the Fourth Duma rose to the level of true patriotism, and in the name of this patriotism, it initially renounced any opposition. But when the full difficulty of the current war became apparent—when it became clear that victory over the enemy required the mobilization and organization of all the country’s vital forces, while the reaction stood in opposition to all social movements—the Fourth Duma once again took an oppositional stance against the reaction… The Fourth State Duma has the distinction that, within our current difficult political process, it reflected the state of the people; it poured into its words and actions the thoughts and will of the people.N. A. GredeskulIncreases for Retirees An interdepartmental meeting chaired by Minister of Finance Comrade V. V. Kuzminsky developed a draft law and regulations for supplementing pensions from the treasury to retirees due to the increased cost of living caused by the war. It is proposed to grant retirees who receive no more than 3,000 rubles in Petrograd and Moscow, and no more than 2,400 rubles in other localities, an increase to their pensions, calculated as a percentage of the pension salaries. The largest increases are for retirees residing in Petrograd and Moscow, ranging from 50% up to 600 rubles per year, and up to 20% for pensions between 2,400 rubles and 3,000 rubles per year.
Day, No. 42 The Teacher’s Plight …The law on percentage increases in all state and public educational institutions has passed. Government teachers have, of course, received theirs. But public school teachers are still waiting. They have been generously allotted 150 rubles per month to live on. Teachers who were unfortunate enough to get married—essentially, teachers have no right to this—work like this: morning classes from 9 AM to 3 PM, afternoon classes from 5 PM to 7 PM, and evening classes from 8 PM to 11 PM. The author of these lines is a teacher who gives 50–55 lessons a week. Unhappy teachers, but equally unhappy students… …Add to this the tram commute drudgery; add to this the fact that it is now impossible to grab a bite to eat on the way… Some teachers teach second sets of lessons in refugee high schools; some teachers teach in the evenings in suburban high schools… Where are these so-called increases stuck?..K.
Conversation with the Commander of the Petrograd Military District, General S. I. Khabalov
General Khabalov stated the following: «All sinister rumors being circulated by others are unfounded and only benefit the Germans… If worker unrest were possible at all, it would be exclusively due to a shortage of essential goods.»
Stock Exchange Bulletin, No. 16099 (Evening Edition)
Fortunately, thanks to the emergency measures taken, the food crisis has been temporarily alleviated. The railway lines have been cleared of snowdrifts. In recent days, large shipments of flour have arrived in the capital—approximately an average of 25 trains per day. A laborer, who spends his entire workday at a machine, has little interest in politics as such, and it is unlikely that a demonstration by the working masses can be expected…
February 15 | Wednesday
Petrogradskie Vedomosti, No. 30 Pilot Actions Our pilot, Ensign Efremov, engaged in combat three times with a German aircraft that appeared over the city of Dvinsk, forcing it to descend into his formation.
Speech, No. 43 News of the Day Sessions of the legislative houses have resumed. Agriculture Minister A. A. Rittikh offered clarifications in the State Duma. S. I. Shidlovsky issued a statement on behalf of the progressive bloc. Debates on the political situation began, featuring speeches by N. S. Chkheidze, V. I. Purishkevich, and I. N. Efremov.
In Petrograd, our yesterday’s forecast proved correct, fortunately. The working class of the capital prevented dark influences from steering them toward a path that would be far more agreeable to their enemies than their friends. The grandiose provocation that drew so much attention failed. No division could be created, and the unity of the public front—which we saw as the main distinguishing feature of the current political moment yesterday—remained intact…
In Petrograd, the newspapers «Petrogradskiy Listok» were fined 2,000 rubles, and «Russkaya Volya» was fined 3,000 rubles. The journal «Crime and Punishment» has been suspended.
In Moscow, a mandatory decree regarding the conservation of electric lighting has been issued.
Moonshine (Samogonka) A new, terrifying scourge has appeared in the villages—moonshine. Peasants have learned to produce vodka using homemade, rudimentary methods, and now clandestine liquor factories are proliferating like mushrooms. This evil has developed particularly strongly in Siberia…
Trade and Industrial News Share of «Zerno-Sakar» (Grain-Sugar). The company plans to increase its main capital.
Oil Market. According to telegraphic messages from Baku dated February 14, the oil market continues to experience a wave of positive sentiment, which has become particularly sharp in recent days. Demand is growing uncontrollably, yet no free merchandise is arriving on the exchange. This creates a very difficult situation with the approaching navigation season and the sellers’ need to secure inventory. No deals are being concluded…
Stock Market Chronicle The stock market is maintaining a calm, yet sluggish, mood… The dividend market continues to show strong sentiment, primarily for securities held in speculative hands. Securities expected to see capital increases for more successful subscription are particularly moving… The shares of commercial banks are sharply upwardly trending… Official currency exchange rates in the telegrams: 10 pounds sterling at 144 rubles, 100 francs at 52 rubles… 100 Japanese yen at 155 rubles and 50 kopecks. Dollars at 3 rubles and 2 kopecks.
02/16 | Thursday
Yesterday in the State Duma
Petergrad News, No. 31 Speech by P. N. Milyukov …And if the thought truly takes root in the country that Russia cannot defeat with this government, it will triumph in spite of its government—it will triumph! (Applause).
Speech by A. F. Kerensky Milyukov is succeeded on the rostrum by A. F. Kerensky, a representative of the labor group: …We are experiencing an unprecedented turmoil in the life of our Motherland, before which the year 1613 seems like a children’s tale… The very foundations of the country’s socioeconomic life have been destroyed. We are seeing a picture of the complete collapse of the entire old state structure—that entire pyramid which was propped up from below by the blood of the unorganized people, and which, faced with this historical test, has proven negligible even for the defense of the old state…
Adoption of the Motion The Duma votes and unanimously resolves to address the government with a question regarding the measures being taken to eliminate the causes hindering the proper organization of food and fuel supplies…
February 17 | Friday
Stock Market Gazette, No. 16105 (Evening Edition) At the Ramp Yesterday’s rehearsal of «Masquerade» at the Alexandrinsky Theatre ran late into the night. The artists rehearsed «Masquerade» with great enthusiasm… Conservatory Director A. K. Glazunov, who is known to have composed the music for «Masquerade, ” will attend one of the upcoming rehearsals.
The theater circles are talking a lot about the recent incident between a popular singer and an equally popular tenor. The clash stemmed from jeering that occurred during the tenor’s performance of the duel scene from „Eugene Onegin.“ The tenor immediately appealed to the administration, demanding an investigation into who was heckling. The investigation determined that the tenor was allegedly being heckled by individuals located in a box registered under that singer’s name. The singer herself flatly denies this, but the tenor remained resolute and subsequently performed with a different coloratura soprano in future performances.
Due to the seasoned artist V. N. Davydov’s departure for provincial tours, „The Krechinsky Wedding“ has been removed from the Alexandrinsky Theatre’s repertoire.
Russkiye Vedomosti, No. 39 Moscow News Reduction of Food Rations. L. E. Gruzinov, the Food Commissioner for the Moscow Governorate, received a telegram yesterday from the special commissioner Gavrilov. The telegram states that for March, the allotment of rye, wheat, and flour delivered to consumer districts from the commissioners' reserves—the «granary"—has been significantly reduced compared to the planned quantities from previous months…
An Irreconcilable Contradiction. …139 wagons of flour were brought into Moscow—a nearly four-day supply. Logically, this should have immediately impacted the bread situation and helped eliminate bread queues. However… the lines did not shorten; on the contrary, they grew even longer, reaching sizes unseen even during periods of minimal flour deliveries. It seems that the queues observed yesterday at all the bakeries have never been this extensive this winter. Moreover, the bread allotment remained extremely reduced: only two white loaves per person…
Fighting Price Gouging of Cotton Fabric. Due to rumors reaching the cotton supply committee regarding the abuses committed by firms trading in cotton fabrics… the committee chairman, N. I. Guchkov, ordered an audit of these firms to verify the reports. Yesterday, inspectors investigated the firm «Vavilov, Kochetkov & Co.» and discovered systematic violations of set prices. A number of transactions by this firm were found to be priced freely. The inspectors seized the firm’s ledgers and documents. This matter will proceed through the proper channels to hold the owners accountable… The audit had a considerable effect among the traders of cotton fabrics.
Searches in Student Cafeterias. …Yesterday, at midnight, a search was conducted on all three floors of the cafeteria at the Commercial Institute (M. Serpukhovka, 28), yielding no results…
Reduction in Tram Service. …The Administration decided to keep tram service unchanged, only reducing night service due to fuel shortages. …Service will completely cease at 12:00 a.m.
Mandatory Edict Prohibiting Riding on Tram Steps. The Commander of the Moscow Military District, Lieutenant General of Artillery I. I. Morozovsky, issued a mandatory order prohibiting passengers from riding on the steps, buffers, and frames (grids) of tram cars, or from boarding or exiting the cars before they have come to a complete stop. Those found in violation… are subject to administrative detention in prison for up to three months or a fine of 3,000 rubles.
Valery Bryusov’s Lecture Series
The concluding lectures present a summary of everything we know about Atlantis…
In the Shanyavsky People’s University, a course of lectures has been announced. It will be delivered during February and March of this year by V. Ya. Brusov on the topic, «The Earliest Human Cultures and Their Interrelationships.» The lectures will take place on Sundays from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM, beginning on Sunday, February 26th. The entire course consists of four two-hour lectures. The fee for attending the entire course is 2 rubles 40 kopecks.
February 18 | Saturday
STATE DUMA
At yesterday’s meeting (via telephone from our correspondent)
Request for the Arrest of a Working Group
The State Duma returns to discussing the request to arrest the working group of the military-industrial committee. Comrade Chairman of the Central Military-Industrial Committee, A. I. Konovalov, gives a lengthy speech.
Russkiye Vedomosti, No. 40 Speech by A. I. Konovalov There is no rational justification for this new act perpetrated by our government. The common understanding of the detriment to the country under the current regime and the acute danger threatening the very outcome of the struggle if the same power-holders continue to govern is vividly confirmed by the arrest of the working group. …People who worked for the greater defense have been thrown into prison. The working group is accused of trying to turn Russia into a socialist republic. The absurdity of this accusation is obvious… The representatives of the working group are not clandestine agitators sowing discord and confusion. Their task was to create a unified, cohesive organization out of dispersed and amorphous working masses. Three days ago, two workers who had not yet been arrested appeared at the bureau of the military-industrial committee and asked for censorship approval to print an appeal to the workers calling for the end of the strike. …This appeal was not denied by the censors…
February 19 | Sunday
Russian Gazette, No. 41 A Speech by N. S. Chkheidze At the beginning of the war, the slogan of class and social truce and class solidarity was proclaimed. But… when the working group of the Central Military-Industrial Committee became interested in this issue and began gathering materials, it turned out that the government was not the only one fighting the working class; the employers were also waging a rather serious and fundamental struggle against it. The workday was now extended to 12 hours instead of 9–10, and the workweek—from 54–64 to 70, or even 90 hours… Regarding the issue of increasing wages, the working group’s document stated that this increase lagged far behind the rise in the cost of living and that extending the workday had increased the overall incidence of illness…
Debate is concluded. The motion is accepted by a substantial majority of votes.
Moskovsky Listok, No. 41 The 50th Anniversary of I. D. Sytin Today, Moscow is formally celebrating the 50th anniversary of Ivan Dmitrievich Sytin’s publishing endeavors—the head of one of Russia’s largest book publishers. I. D. Sytin came from the common people: he was born into a peasant family in the village of Gnezdnikovo, Kostroma Province, Galich Uyezd… One of the most invaluable contributions of today’s юбиляр, without a doubt, is making books affordable. He is one of those pioneers who made books accessible to the people. He was the first to «put the book into the people"—a good, necessary, useful book…
«Autobiography» by F. I. Shalyapin The January issue of «Letopisi» has appeared—albeit significantly late—featuring the first chapter of Shalyapin’s «Autobiography.» These «pages from my life» are not entirely correctly titled an autobiography. The hand of Gorky, who edited them, is too evident within them. Of course, such editing could not be done to the memoirs to the detriment of…
