Los Banos Rotary Club History
Merced Publisher Gives Rotarians Picture

A factual picture of Russia as a nation and a people as seen through the observant and analyzing eyes of a trained newspaper man was presented to members of the Rotary Club here Tuesday noon by Dean S. Lesher, publisher of the Merced Sun-Star, Madera Tribune and other California newspapers.
Lesher was with a group of twelve United States newspaper men visiting Russia and the satellites last January where they interviewed Russia's top political and industrial leaders, visited numerous of the larger cities, and conferred with U. S. embassy representatives in Moscow. It was Lesher's second trip behind the iron curtain, and his primary impression was the definite improvement that has been made in living and economic conditions there and at the increasing sense of well-being and of national patriotism that now seems to transcend the previous fever of world-wide communism.
In talks with Russia leaders and with Henry Shipiro, head of the United Press Bureau in Moscow, Lesher gained the definite people, as individuals, are friendly toward the people of this country, though the continued pounding of governmental propaganda they view this country as a domineering, war-mongering nation whom they must not trust.

Emphasizing that his remarks reflected the combined conclusions of his group rather than limited to his own conclusions, Lesher said he was amazed at the overall improvements seen since his original visit to the country three years previous. Particularly noticeable were the miles of new 4 to 8-story apartment houses, the new stores, the expanding indications of industrial development, and a changing attitude of the people who are seemingly happy and contented, and much more friendly than on his previous trip.

Particularly noticeable, he said, was the fact, that the average Russian is a hard worker, both men and women, laboring a full six days a week for a nominal pay that provides necessities but leaves little extra for the niceties of life that in this country are counted among our bare necessities.

It is this difference in manpower output, he said, that could eventually spell the difference in power between the two countries, with the United States falling behind simply because we cannot match their productiveness with our 37 ½ to 40 hour work week and increasingly lackadaisical attitudes.

Lesher told of traveling and the country in the finest 2-engine planes he has ever seen, and operated by pilots fully as skilled as any he has ever seen; and of a complete courteous and friendly reception wherever they went.
He pointed out that because of our completely different economies it is difficult to get a basis of comparison between the two peoples. Rent and basis supplies are very cheap. Rent for instance, comprises only about 5 per cent of the wage earner's salary, including utilities. Basic foodstuffs and basic clothing is also cheap, but nicieties come high priced. Automobiles are a luxury only for the wealthy, our common kitchen appliances are unknown to the average family; heating is sadly inadequate, family apartments are overly crowded with communal kitchens and bathroom facilities. As he told inquires of the several bathrooms in his own home, they politely but firmly told Lesher he was speaking untruths – that such lavishness was impossible.

Lesher told briefly of Russian school and universities, where heavy emphasis is placed on mathematics and sciences, and where the student is subsidized by the government, with aid and bonuses depending on grades achieved. The Russian student, both in basic schools and college, attends classes six days a week and there is no room nor time nor place for those who cannot maintain their grades.

Teachers, Lesher said, are among Russia's highest paid workers, as are the better entertainers, artists, etc.

American educational standards he said, are lacking by comparison, and we can well take a new look at our educational system, revise our standards upward, and put increased emphasis on the higher academic fields rather than the present intermediate or low levels.

As to the future, Lesher quoted the U. P. chief, Shaprio, as warning that Russia is gaining in production and having potential resources to equal the United States in many ways. The United States, Shapiro says, should realize this fact in connection with disarmament negotiations.

In the final outlook, it is Lesher's thinking that Russia's body politic must eventually stumble and fall, with the resulting rebirth of a new government and a new conception that will be built on worldwide peace. Krushchev, though boasting his country has the missles and power to destroy the United States, has also declared repeatedly that nuclear war is suicidal for everyone regardless of who wins. Should war come, Lesher concluded, it will be touched off by some comparatively insignificant incident in the Near East or Mediterranean area rather than by direct action of Russia itself.

March 14, 1958

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