Hopper Declares New Class In Russia Is Threat To Internal Peace--Retreat From Theoretical Equality Seen In Reform

"A new class in Russia, the 'responsible workers,' is fast becoming a threat to the Soviet Union's internal peace," stated B. C. Hopper '18, assistant professor of Government, in an interview with the CRIMSON last night. Professor Hopper, author of "Pan-Sovletism," spent last summer in Russia investigating recent changes in the internal policies of the U.S.S.R.

"The new class includes all persons, Communist or not," continues Professor Hopper, "who are of primary importance to the state in the fulfillment of its economic plans. Its growth is indicative of the retreat on the part of the Soviet government from theoretical equality. The chief lack in Russia has been trained personnel to operate the enormous plant built under the forced pressure of the Five Year Plan. To encourage greater effort on the part of the proletariat to become trained, the Soviet government last year began widening the gulf between unskilled and skilled labor in terms of food allowance, clothing, housing, and privileges. The result has been the growth of this new class, the 'responsible workers,' whose presence takes the form of a potential bureaucracy which might cause great danger to the internal peace of the Soviets.

"It is evident," said Professor Hopper in summing up the Russian situation, "that the killing pace set by the Bolsheviks in their attempt to overtake and outstrip capitalist countries has proved too fast at least during a world depression. It may be that planning the entire life of a vast country is not yet within the capacity of man. Nevertheless, the Bolsheviks will most likely carry on, zigzagging back to their program as circumstances permit."