Yanks for Stalin
Interview Transcript

Sergei Dyakonov,  (cont)

Q.  That's okay, okay.

A.  Oh, you already know.

Q.  No.  Go ahead.

A.  Many machines were prepared for her, set aside for her, prepared ahead of time, she merely walked alongside these machine and fed yarn or adjusted the machine.  This was not the work of one person, it was worked prepared and performed by the work force of that particular shop.  Now the Stakhanov movement of those years, 1932-35, that was something else entirely.  In those days, people invented labor-saving methods, improved technology or changed production methods.  They increased the productivity of their labor.  Of course, Americans couldn't understand this.  The work ethic of Americans and Russians differed somewhat at that time.  They worked from factory whistle to factory whistle.  They paced themselves while performing work that was expected to take a long time.  If a blacksmith, such as Faustov, Zharin, or Busiguin, would forge enough crankshafts during one shift to fulfill the quotas of three shifts, then this feat demanded great physical exertion.  It was impossible to work like that for a whole year.  It was a spasm.  It was too great of a demand on one's strength.  Yes, it was possible to do this, but for what?  In order to produce cars at a rate exceeding planned output.  Or to organize production to produce extra motors, which went not just into cars, but were sent to other factories and plants.  But there was not one worker who could work like that for an entire year.

Q.  What did the Americans think of this?

A.  At first they were surprised, but once they understood what was motivating such behavior they developed a very negative attitude toward this practice.

Q.  Machinery probably broke down.

A.  Of course machinery broke down.  This constant overwork led to workers getting worn out, and then what, are you going to send him away to recover after a month of this?

Q.  Were there any Americans arrested in 1937?

A.  I don't know.

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