22.12.2012 Views

Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 3 - From Marx to Mao

Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 3 - From Marx to Mao

Collected Works of V. I. Lenin - Vol. 3 - From Marx to Mao

SHOW MORE
SHOW LESS

You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles

YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.

THE DEVELOPMENT OF CAPITALISM IN RUSSIA<br />

457<br />

1864-1865 and for 1885 and subsequent years being the<br />

fullest); that is why we have singled out 34 trades for<br />

which data are available for 1864-1879 and 1885-1890,<br />

i.e., for 22 years. To judge the value <strong>of</strong> these data, let<br />

us first examine the most important publications on our<br />

fac<strong>to</strong>ry statistics. Let us begin with the 60s.<br />

The compilers <strong>of</strong> fac<strong>to</strong>ry statistics in the 60s fully appreciated<br />

the extremely unsatisfac<strong>to</strong>ry nature <strong>of</strong> the returns<br />

they were handling. In their unanimous opinion the<br />

number <strong>of</strong> workers and the <strong>to</strong>tal output were considerably<br />

understated in the fac<strong>to</strong>ry-owners’ reports; “there is no<br />

uniform definition, even for the different gubernias, <strong>of</strong><br />

what should be regarded as a fac<strong>to</strong>ry and a works, since<br />

many gubernias include among the fac<strong>to</strong>ries and works,<br />

for example, windmills, brick-making sheds and small<br />

industrial establishments, while others take no account<br />

<strong>of</strong> them, with the result that even comparative data on<br />

the <strong>to</strong>tal numbers <strong>of</strong> fac<strong>to</strong>ries and works in the different<br />

gubernias are valueless.”* Still more trenchant is the criticism<br />

by Bushen, Bok and Timiryazev,** who, in addition,<br />

point <strong>to</strong> the inclusion <strong>of</strong> those occupied at home among the<br />

fac<strong>to</strong>ry workers, <strong>to</strong> the fact that some fac<strong>to</strong>ry owners supply<br />

returns only for workers who live on the fac<strong>to</strong>ry premises,<br />

etc. “There are no correct <strong>of</strong>ficial statistics on manufac<strong>to</strong>ry<br />

and fac<strong>to</strong>ry industry,” says Mr. Bushen, “and there will be<br />

none until there is a change in the main principles on which<br />

the primary material is gathered.”*** “The tables <strong>of</strong> fac<strong>to</strong>ries<br />

and works for many trades include, evidently by misunderstanding,<br />

numerous purely artisan and handicraft establishments<br />

that possess nothing <strong>of</strong> the character <strong>of</strong> a fac<strong>to</strong>ry or<br />

works.”**** In view <strong>of</strong> this, the edi<strong>to</strong>rs <strong>of</strong> the Yearbook<br />

refused even <strong>to</strong> summarise the data printed, “not desiring <strong>to</strong><br />

pass on <strong>to</strong> the public incorrect and obviously exaggerated<br />

figures.”**** To give the reader a precise idea <strong>of</strong> the extent<br />

* P. Semyonov in the preface <strong>to</strong> Statistical Chronicle, I, 1866,<br />

p. XXVII.<br />

** Statistical Atlas <strong>of</strong> Main Branches <strong>of</strong> Fac<strong>to</strong>ry Industry <strong>of</strong><br />

European Russia, with List <strong>of</strong> Fac<strong>to</strong>ries and <strong>Works</strong>, 3 vols., St. Petersburg,<br />

1869, 1870 and 1873.<br />

*** The Ministry <strong>of</strong> Finance Yearbook, I, p. 140.<br />

**** Ibid., p. 306.

Hooray! Your file is uploaded and ready to be published.

Saved successfully!

Ooh no, something went wrong!