Spencer's second letter from the Soviet Union is undated, likely because it was written over the course of several days. He begins the letter from the Tambov commune, but by the fifth page, it is apparent that he is writing on the train. By the end of the letter, he is leaving the Soviet Union and is on his way to Warsaw, Poland.
Lenin Commune, Tambov, 500 miles S-W of Moscow U.S.S.R – Aug Dear Mother & Dad – I am really terribly sorry that my letters home to you have not carried some continuity of my trip – so that you can picture it in its various stages – for that was one thing I did mean to do. We have all found, however, that our time is greatly taken up – and the writing of letters, cards, or even making diary notes, frequently necessitates skipping some part of the program. I am starting this letter in this commune we have come to visit, about 500 miles south-west of Moscow, 18 miles from the nearest railroad, and near the centre of European Russia – but where I shall finish, I must leave the end of the letter to tell, & when it will
come to you – I guess only you will know. This is the commune which Dr. Eddy describes in his book, started by one, Stephen, and 51 others who returned from America in 1922, pooled all their resources and were granted this land – about 6000 acres, which formerly belonged to Princess Obolinski [i.e. Obolensky]. It has grown steadily and prospered until now it numbers 1600 members, divided in 5 divisions, the central one where we are staying, with 600 people here, and four outlying sections with about 250 people each. They have some 40 old buildings in this central section alone, and possess 800 head of cattle, 200 pigs, horses, chickens, & sheep, as well as tractors, thrashers, binders & a great deal more farm equipment. They have their own
electric light plant, radios & telephone communication. There is a children’s nursery where the children are fed, taught, cared for; & taught wholesome play while the mothers are at work. There is a hospital, with two trained nurses & a full time doctor. There is a school in each section with a well qualified teacher. One, with whom we talked at length is a young chap about 23 with fine ideals & using splendid methods of pedagogy. He does not believe in any type of coercion or force but believes in leading the children by example, in inducing a spirit of cooperation among themselves & in his contact with them, & to keep all learning closely related to actual living rather than by imparting abstract theory.
We walked through villages of several types - from squalid impoverished ancient ones to the modern efficient communes – It was like running the gamut of centuries, all in the space of hours. We started out at 10:00 AM this morning & walked & talked till 4:00 PM this afternoon. The first village was one of the most primitive. The people were all die-hard individual- ists who preferred to eke out a bare existence, without machinery or horses or cattle & still thrashing grain with the hand flail, rather than join the commune and, as they thought, sacrifice their indep- endence & probably have to work hard to help keep some lazy ones; or else pay servitude to some, new, unknown, taskmaster whom they suspected lurked
behind the scenes. Here too, was a Kulak - one of those whom we have heard so much about in our daily papers – who were supposed to have been all shot or oppressed in other drastic fashion. He, it is true, is one of the leaders in the opposition of this village to the commune, but instead of being shot, the commune have send their tractors to help him & his neighbours with their plowing, free of charge.- I tried to write this part on the train back to Moscow but you can see the result – so I thought I had better not strain your eyes trying to decipher it. Ed (Prof. Zabriskie) and I have had a most profitable and busy, last day in Moscow and so here I am finishing
this letter up at the hotel in the last few minutes before leaving – with the last few sentences likely to be added on the train at the station – for they always get us there at least half an hour before departure – one of the disadvantages of travelling with a group. Well we all arrived back in Moscow looking anything, but civilized, city-bred, Anglo-Saxons; for none of us had shaved for four days. and we had all worn the oldest clothing we possessed, or else purchased Russian clothing for the occassion [i.e. occasion]- but we did have a great time of it. We all enjoyed baths, shaves and clean clothing as soon as we got back. Then right after
dinner, Ed & I were given a, splendid, young lady, guides and interpreter, to aid us in a number of last minute things we wished to see and do. It was Galina, a girl of 22, who speaks Russian, English, German and French; plays the violin and piano and knows Russian history, art, customs, and music; as well as communist theory and practice. She has been with our party all the time in Moscow, & we have all come to admire her; so it was a real treat for Ed and I to have her to ourselves. We first went to the Institute for the Protection of Mother and
Child which really comprises :- 1. An exhibition of drawings, charts & models of Babies, Mothers, Food, Clothing, Ventillation [i.e. Ventilation] and many other things 2. Mother & Child clinic – for education, examination & advice 3. A Maternity Hospital 4. A Childrens Hospital 5. An Ostetrics [i.e. Obstetrics] Research Institute 6. A Training School for Nurses 7. A Post Graduate School for Doctors specializing in such work & A school to which all county doctors are brought for 3 to 6 months every three years to give them the latest information & scientific developments We were shown many things by the head lady doctor – a most cultured,
fine, and efficient woman, a graduate doctor of a Russian university, who had taken post-graduate work in other European centres, and two years in New York. She spoke English well and was most courteous & obliging. We also met several other doctors and nurses. The whole institution was quite a revelation; and Ed., whose sister is head of one of the largest maternity hospitals in New York, says he knows of nothing to equal it in America.
Well Mother & Dad, I am afraid I will not have time for more just now. But I must say, this Russian phase of our trip has been the most revealing to us yet, and I think the most valuable and important in point of world interest. We leave now for Warsaw, Poland, - a 24 tour trip. One day there- thence to Vienna – reputed to be Europe’s most beautiful city. I intended to read your letter again Mother, & reply to several
things – but I am afraid I must ask you to forgive me till the next time. It was good to get the letter though, & to receive both yours & Dads notes. Much love from Spen
