LIVING CONDITIONS IN DZERZHINSK

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP80-00810A004800290002-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 3
• Document Creation Date: December 20, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 24, 2007
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: October 21, 1954
• Content Type: REPORT

Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9
u
619060
CENTRAL, INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
INFORMATION REPORT
SECRET
COUNTRY USSR (Gorkiy Oblast)
SUBJECT Living Conditions in Dzerzhinsk
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
This material contains information affecting the Na-
tional Defense of the United States within the mean-
trig of the =npionage Laws; Title 18. U.S.C. Secs. 793
and 794, the. transmission or revelation of which in
any manner to an unauthorized psr~ is prohibited
by law.
REPORT
DATE DISTR. 21 October 1954
NO. OF PAGES
REQUIREMENT NO. RD
REFERENCES
THE SOURCE EVALUATIONS IN THIS REPORT ARE DEFINITIVE,
THE APPRAISAL OF CONTENT IS TENTATIVE.
(FOR KEY SEE REVERSE)
Housing in D .erz { nak
1. Apartment houses are constructed of stone op"'wood and have one or more stories.
Each building contains two to lour apartments; almost every room is occupied
byr`a family.. Members of the privileged classes have more living space, but
there are no residential areas inhabited solely by these families; the division
between them and ordinary workers' families occurs within the ^nartment houses,
,,?,ere quarters are assigned according to requirements and qualifications.
there are someone family houses for members of the intelligentsia. All hous-
ing is overcrowded, even by Soviet standards, because construction has not
kept up with the influx of new workers. Furnishings are very primitive. Stores
carry only single pieces of furniture.
2. Since each enterprise manages its own housing, some division into sectors occurs.
Usually, Hugh, a number of enterprises will have housing developments on the
same street.
3. Between 1946 and 1950, many men wore parts of their military uniforms because
discharged
oldi
s
ers were allowed to keep their uniforms. When they bought
civilian clothes, they sold their uniforms at the bazaar.
A person's economic level is revealed by his clothing because prices are very
high. Padded trousers, jackets, and coats, and felt boots (valenki) are common
apparel. In warm weather, inexpensive cloth shoes and light clothing are worn.
5. Clothing is sold at the bazaar or sometimes directly from trucks. Despite
frequent inspections, there is an extensive black market in stolen goods at
(NOTE: Washington distribution indieafsd by "X"; Field distribv/ `by "#".)
Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9
 Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9
SECRET
tie bazaar. For example, leather boots C be purchased more cheaply there
than in a State store, because they are a of stolen leather. Clothes can
also be made to order, but this is very expensive.
6. People generally do their own laundry. Old :Toamen also take in washing to earn
money.
7. People use ordinary potato sacks or canvas bags to carry their purchases or
things to be sold.
s. Although little attention is paid to regularity in haircuts or shaves, the
barber shops are crowded before a holiday. Barber shops are staffed almost
wholly by women,who undergo a six monthst apprenticeship. At seven years of
age, boys must appear at school with their heads clean shaven. Soldiers, and
frequently hospital patients, must also haveleir heads shaven. This measure
is probably aimed at preventing the spread of' lice. Hospitals have permanent
hairdressers who attend even the bed patients. At barber shops, compresses
and massages are also available;. ayoung girl is eployed_especially to pre-
pare the hot compresses. The compress is placed on the face (the more dis-
tinguished clients have a fresh towel placed there first for the-sake of
kultura); the face is then massaged; and finally a cold compress is applied.
Prices are as follows: Hair cut, one and a hall' to two rubles; shave, one
ruble; shave with compress, two rubles; cologne, two 1-o eks. Larbers do not
accept tips; it offends their pride. co Jo so.
9. ',1omen like to wear jewelry, usually costut jewelry. They also wear nail
polish, generally dark red. In food and other stores,the saleswomen are
compelled by State regulations to wear nail polish; a manicure service is
furnished them free of charge. ^lomen also wear powder and lipstick and,in
general, are very concerned about their appearance.
Shopping
10. Food is sold at department stores (univerm.ag), food stores (gastronoi'),
special stores, and at the bazaar. There is a shortage of flour and sugar
and, sometimes, bread. A typical phenomenon is for all goods of a certain
kind to disappear suddenly from all the stores in the city.
11. Stores are open from nine to six or from ten to eight. Individual stores
are open from noon until midnight. Bazaars are open from nine until dusk.
Stores are open on Sundays until six o'clock.
12. Vodka, beer, sweet wines, cha;tpagne, cognac, and a little white wine are
sold in food stores, at stands, and in restaurants.
13. There is a good selection of toilet articles for sale, but the average
citizen buys only cheap soap at the bazaar. Most of the razor blades are
dull; Czech blades, which are better, are also available.
11I.. People complain about petty officials without getting into trouble, but they
are always careful to add that, if high Party or government officials knew
about the unfortunate state of affairs in a given office, it would be remedied.
Scandals concerning corruption and graft among officials are widely discussed.
15. The average citizen is very interested in sports; a football match is always
an event.
Population
16, People from all parts of the 1altic, particularly Estonia, are employed in
::EGRET
Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9
 ? Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9
SECRET
-3-
the chemical plants. However, the only unnaturalized aliens in the city are
the German specialists, who come under. special regulations.
Electric Power
17. Current is supplied by powc;a plants located near the town. The current is
alternating, 220 volts. It is transmitted from a Penerator at 3,000 volts
and then passes through transformer stations. Charges are based on the watt
capacity of electrical appliances; therefore, most of the people keep their
lights on all the time. A person can, however, have a meter installed for
about 300 rubles. There are separate wires leading to the houses of im-
portant officials, because the current is cut off from the rest of the popu-
lation when the monthly allowance is used up.
Approved For Release 2007/07/24: CIA-RDP80-0081 OA004800290002-9