Page:Emile Vandervelde - Three Aspects of the Russian Revolution - tr. Jean Elmslie Henderson Findlay (1918).djvu/67

 living, which in the large cities and industrial centres has become incredibly high. It would be difficult to reckon it with the accuracy that the statistics of the Board of Trade permit us to obtain with regard to Great Britain. We do not know of the existence of any such document in the country we are discussing at present, but certain facts gleaned here and there allow us to give some idea of the enormous increase in the cost of living.

A Belgian workman who had lived in Russia for several years, who spoke the language perfectly, understood the customs, and was consequently not liable to be charged the fantastic prices that foreigners are sometimes made to pay, told us that he had paid two hundred roubles for a suit of very indifferent cloth to wear when off duty.

The price of coal has increased at least tenfold, thus making rents higher; for houses are generally let with heating included. When we consider the length and the severity of the Russian winter, we can easily understand the importance of this item.