1. MEDICAL, SOCIAL SERVICES 2. STATUS OF WOMEN 3. COMMENTS ON THE INTERNAL SITUATION

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP82-00046R000400380002-4
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: C
• Document Page Count: 8
• Document Creation Date: December 27, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 13, 2013
• Sequence Number: 2
• Publication Date: March 3, 1955
• Content Type: REPORT

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INFORMATION REPORT INFORMATION REPORT
CENTRAL INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
This material contains information affecting the National Defense of the United States within the meaning of the Espionage Laws, Title
18, U.S.C. Secs. 793 and 794, the transmission or revelation of which in any manner to an unauthorized person is prohibited by law.
REPORT NO.
1.
Medical
Social Services DATE DISTR
,
.
8 March 1955
2.
Status of Women
3.
Comments on the Internal NO. OF PAGES
8
Situation
DATE OF INFO.
PLACE ACQUIRED
REQUIREMENT NO.
REFERENCES
DATE ACQUIRED
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Attached is
(Ngtq: Washington distribution indicated by "V; Field distribution by
INFORMATION REPORT INFORMA-HON REPORT
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C01 FIDENTIAL REPORT
COUNTRY Poland
SUBJECT 1. Medical, Social Services
2. Status of Women
3. Comments on the Internal Situation
PLACE ACQUIRED
THIS IS UNEVALUATED INFORMATION
50X1
Medical and Social Service
1. Most Poles were pleased with one facet of socialized medicine, namely
that hospitalization and treatment were free. However, this positive
aspect was negated by the fact that the medical service was burdened
with bureaucracy, general disregard of, the individual, and the utter
confusion inherent in the system. Dispensaries s v ng adults were
viewed with dislike by most 50X1 y people, mainly because
visitors had to wait one, two,or even ree ay9 before being admitted;
even then the doctors made only cursory examinations owing to the
large number of patients.
2. Another source of complaints concerning the medical service was the
fact that the people were not permitted to select their own doctors;
they were required to be treated by the local doctor. If a person
suddenly became seriously ill at home, an ambulance was called and
first aid administered. In most cases, it was useless to call the
50X1 local doctor because he would not a'rive for a day or two. Since
hospital space.was scarce, generally only those patients who were
50X1 recommended by the doctor for hoapitali'zation were admitted to a hos-
that people feared sickness. A popular ~saying ~wasp "one has to be
50X1 very healthy and strong to be sick in Poland".
3. Every city and larger town in Poland maintains consultative clinics
50X1 for mothers known as the "Mother and Child" dispensaries.'
50X1
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upole
Aeration of one of these dis ensar
young
sours
three -u __ ee a s
doctor and an
impressed with the sanitary conditions there and with the
ef
r
i
vely high quality or care and service rendered.
C01V'I DENTIAL
DATE DISTR. 21 Jaa,1955
NO. OF PAGES 7
50X1 REFERENCES:
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50X1 never waited more than 15 minutes in
larger towns the waiting period is much longer, #'rom one to two or
more hours.
4. According to law, a working woman who was pregnant was entitled
to three months' leave, six weeks pre- and six weeks postnatal
care. However, most women continued to work to the very last day
and took their three-month leave after bearing the child. In
addition, they were entitled to one month's ordinary sick leave.
Any leave taken over the four-month period was unpaid. If a mother
returned to work because she could not afford this unpaid time off,
she might place her child in a creche. The creches were compelled
to accept the children of working mothers. The creches as well as
the kindergartens were obliged to take children of non-working
mothers only if the mother were sick or if another member of the
family was suffering.from an infectious disease.
5. Creches were located at factories and at large institutions; one
or two creches were also found in each residential district. It
was possible to board the children at the nurseries on a day-to-
50X1 day basis, the mother delivering the child to the nursery in the
morning before going tp work and calling for it after work, or on
50X1
the cost of maintaining a child at a ' tree ie amoun -e
about 50 zloty a month. People in dire circumstances were not
50X1 compelled to pay anything.
6.
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8.
most worker-class mothers were
satisfied with the over-all conditions existing in the creches in
the larger cities. Care and attention were adequate and the food
was relatively plentiful and nourishing. The creche at the Pruszkow
Hospital maintained a
qualified staff consisting of a pe a r c an, a children's nurse,
and several experienced nursemaids,
Generally speaking, conditions at the creches in the smaller prov-
incial towns were much less satisfactory. They lacked the necessary
facilities and,because their staffs were usually not fully qualified,
the care and attention were inadequate. However, the quantity and
quality of food in these smaller creches compared favorably with
that served in the creches in the cities. Most-of the children in
these nurseries were those of mothers who were engaged in stren-
uous physical work. The majority of the mothers in the white-
collar class and the intelligentsia did not take their children
to the creches. They either stopped working for one or two years,
hired a nursemaid, or had their own Mothers take care of their
children.
e children were well attended at the creches
they preferred to
,
keep them at home where they would receive the mother's personal
attention and loving care. These same mothers, however, had no
qualms about sending their children to kindergartens.
50X1 Radio-
9.
the VOA and BBC were performing creditable
people who do not even have radios. Western radios perform an
excellent service in that they keep the hopes of the Polish
people alive and maintain their will to resist, even though pas-
sively for the present.
praise-worthy and effective work in broadcasting to the Poles, the
overwhelming majority of whom welcome these broadcasts. Proof of
the wide popularity enjoyed by these stations lies in the fact
that reports broadcast by them are repeated soon afterwards by
CONFIDENTIAL,
Although
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lux]
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50X1
11.
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12.
ception that the West is a land of milk and honey, a paradise
where all the comforts of life can be had merely,for the asking.
Only an insignificant nuwber of Poles believesthe regime's propa-
ganda about the alleged miserable conditions in the United States.
the Poles view the West as an ideal place with many freedoms.
listened as often as possible to the 3:00 P.M. newscast
of RFE in Warsaw. Frequently not able to
tune tha station n ecause of the strong jamming. Jamming was
likewise bad on VOA pro rams received in Warsaw. One of the reasons
for poor reception was the fact that their pre-
war German radio was worn out an weak.
most Poles harbor the unrealistic con-
Westerners cannot imagine the extent to which
13.
non-existent
in Opole in 1952,
Jamming was almost
preferred to listen to
14.
RFE because it offered a continuous program;
the 8:30 P.M. broadcast of VOA.
Religion
15. the position of the Catholic church in
50X1 Poland is not entirely hopeless. It has suffered some very severe
setbacks during the past few years but most of these involved re-
50X1 strictions on the church's political activity. The churc
continues to conduct religious services in eompar
50X
1
50X1 despite the restrictions imposed by the regime, the church still
exerts a tremendous influence on the people.
16. The compromise made by the "priest-patriots" and certain lay
Catholic activists with the regime ma be strongly condemned by
50X1 most Polish Catholics. however,~the action of these
compromising groups spared the church from further
50X1 bitter attacks by the regime an from possible.annihilation in
Poland. one dangerous aspect of this compro-
50X1 mise is the possibility that it might lead to other compromises
by Catholic teachers, doctors, and others who are in influential
positions.
17.
of selfless devotion, who will maintain the spirit of religion among
the Poles and will keep the church united and strong.
one interesting feature regarding the
caliber of men entering the priesthood in Poland today. During
this period of political persecution and resulting economic in-
security only those with a genuine calling, and true Poles as well,
are entering the service of the church. These men are martyrs, full
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Status of..._Polish Women
18. the status of women in Poland
today is considerably different from what it was before the war.
50X1 During the war, because of the shortage of men, the women were
compelled to seek outside employment in order to support their
families. They grew to be self-reliant and, in a sense, econ-
omically independent. After the war they.continued to work and
even began to compete with men in professions and occupations
which before the war were accessible only to men. They were grad-
ually acquiring equal rights and privileges. The equality granted
to women by the October 1952 constitution was merely a written con-
firmation of what already existed.
19. This feeling 0:f.equality and the desire for economic independence
were most prevalent among the young omen, both married. and single,
of the skilled and professional classes. Most of n under
50X1 30 considered
it as one le to be employed and to enter upon a professional career.
20. The composition of the student body in some of the faculties at War-
saw universities during the 1953-1954 school year may be quite
:illus-
trative of the new status of Polish women.
AI faculties was equally divided. Sixty per cent of the medical, 60%
50X1 of the interior decorating and 80% of the philological faculty were
women. Even the mechanical engineering faculty contained about
50X1 35% women.
21. n example of the attitude of the
50X1 young marrie o sh woman of social standing. trained
50X1 to be a good wife, cook, and housekeeper preparing herself
for married life. The idea of learning a trade or profession was
50X1 out of the question before the war . On the other hand, postwar con-
ditions at home prevented on'.
50X1
at the syc -
50X1 a r c n e g t of the ten doctors were women, all postwar
50X1 graduates, whose average age was 28.
22. the desire for independence prevalent among
50X1 the young women of the middle class was not evident among the young
women of the worker and peasant classes, nor did the older married
women, regardless of social class, appear to be affected by the
by the postwar acquisition of equality. Most of them viewed mar-,,.:
50X1 riage,as their most important career. They preferred to remain at
home and raise a family; but, because of the high cost of living
and their husbands' meager earnings, they were often compelled to
work. Moreover, many of them sought escape from their crowded
50X1 living quarters, which were drab and unpleasant.
the attitude of. the young women of the middle clads toward
their new social and economic gains undergoes a change after mar-
50X1 riage. Most of them would like to forego their pro-
the number of mer.and women, in the agriculture and architectural
fessional careers completely and remain at home. However, they
too continue to work after marriage because of economic necessity.
Political Attitudes
23. An anti-Soviet attitude was always pro-
50X1 nounced among the Poles. Hence, ey were-bitterly disappointed
at. the end of the war to have in their midst the Soviets, who now
50X1 proclaimed themselves Poland's "liberators". This intense dislike
of the Soviets has not abated in the least. In fact, it has become
stronger due to the fact that the Soviets have foisted their rule
on Poland. Finding themselves powerless the Poles
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JV/. I
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24.
CONFID IAL
have adjusted themselves as best they can and have adopted an
attitude of passive resistance, hoping that one day the West, spec-
ifically the United States, will come to their aid.
the United States can prevent
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the spread of Soviet power only by means of a war. The source of
the trouble, Soviet Communism, must be wiped out. The application
of methods short of war will not be effective.
ar, she said, shou d be wage soon, as time is play-
ing into the hands of the Soviets.
25 the Soviets strive for the political and spir-
50X1 itual extermination of Poland, whereas the Germans tried biological
50X1 extermination. It is difficult to state which of the two
50X1 methods of domination is hated more by e Poles. Not more than 10%
of the-Polish population would vote for the present regime in a free
50X1 and secret election. An overwhelming majority of the peasant class,
50X1 over 85% of the working class, and perhaps 95% of the prewar intel-
ligentsia would vote against it On the other hand, 40
50X1 to 50% of the post-war intelligentsia, stemming from the peasant and
worker, classes, would vote in favor of it.
26.
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if the churc s permitted to function as freely as it
does at presents it can nexert
its Communism, thereby preventing many young
Communists.
27. Parents are faced with the problem of instilling an anti-regime,
anti-Communist attitude in their children and at the same time try-
ing to prepare them for careers in a system which does not tolerate
resistance or opposition in any form. There is the unpleasant pos-
sibility that these children might be cast aside by the regime if
they do not learn to conform and will not join the GMP (Polish Youth
Association) and other similar organizations. The burning question
for parents at present is whether they tell their children the truth
and teach them to resist the regime or instruct them to conform out-
wardly but resist inwardly. It is a constant struggle between sur-
vival and a sense of morality.
28. Another important factor to be cons3.dered in a discussion of Poland's
future is whether the standard of living will be improved. Indus-
trialization is progressing rapidly and new jobs are being created,
oods are becom.?
mer
d
g
consu
but wages remain unchanged and food an
increasingly
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1 L116
50X1 all indications point to a lowered standard of living aria, e ,
increased dissatisfaction among the Poles.
29.
Economic Conditions
steadily decl .n ng site J
of all trade, commerce, and industry. Between 1946 and the end of
1949, the standard of living was relatively high and most Poles were
quite satisfied. it was then possible for a person to be in govern-
ment employ and simultaneously to engage in homecraft or some small
private enterprise which would bring him additional revenue. His
income was then more than adequate, and food and clothing were read-
ily available and relatively inexpensive.
the standard of living in Poland has been
11949 when the state began assuming control
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30. Late in 1949 or early 1950, the gradual .liquidation of private
enterprise began. Scarcity of consumer items became more and more
evident; prices started to rise. The introduction of rationing
and the currency reform in October 1950 also had a disastrous effect
50X1 upon living conditions. the rationing period
extending from late 1950 to January 1953 was one of deprivation,
extreme hardship, and suffering. A two-price system was in effect,
the state price and the free or black-market price. It was true
that prices at the state stores were much lower. This advantage
was offset by many disadvantages, such as,the increased shortages
of all types of consumer items, the insufficient rations, and the
necessity of standing in queues. Most people were compelled to
shop at bazaars and on the free market where the prices were more
than double those in the state stores.
31. With the elimination of rationing, more food and many items needed
for daily use appeared on the market. Simultaneously, however; food
prices rose between 100 and 200%, and the prices of consumer goods
rose about 500%. within the past year prices
had dropped on moor, ems, especially consumer goods. Unfortunately,
50X1 the price reductions seemed always to be accompanied by an increased
scarcity of the items.
32. several examples illustrating the differences. in
the value of Polish currency between 1948 and early 1954. in 1948,
50X1 length of suiting material for $,000 zloty. After he currency
~~
50X1 reform and throughout the rationing period from October 1950 to
50X1 January 1953, able to purchase the same type of material for
50X1 1,000 zloty, w e salary had been reduced to 750 zloty per
month. In 1954, when earning 950 zloty a month, the state
55X1
a u0,.-acs ousu unin rnazeriai, when available, at 500 zloty.
General Attitudes
33, One source of constant complaint among the Polit is the fact that
many of their off-duty hours are occupied with compulsory attendance
at various fun ,{pns and meetings organized either by the trade
union, the Party fi,, or the state. Among these meetings were the
weekly press reviews conducted about half an,hour before the start
of a given workday; mass meetings held in conjunction with special
national or international events; rallies (akademqje) held on the
eve of all national holidays; the three to six-month vocational
training courses with classes scheduled after working hours several
times per week; and the weekly political indoctrination classes,
at which attendance was compulsory for both Party and non-Party
people.
34. The trade union also infringed upon-the free time of its members.
Besides the regularly scheduled quarterly meetings, the trade
union organized assemblies on the eve of all national holidays.
50X1 At each of these meetings new work commitments were made both by
sets of commitments were en. Among some of thecommitments
50X1 made repeatedly at the Pruszkow
Hospital were those to clean up and beautify the hospital grounds
and gardens; to maintain cleanliness in the wards; to increase care
of the patients; to have doctors devote extra time to the training
of nurses and other help; and to perform work to save the hospital
the expense of hiring outside help, such as digging ditches for
telephone cables, et cetera.
11 CONFIDENTIAL
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35.
The attitude of most Poles toward government propaganda on the
internal situation was strongly negative. They criticized the fact
that the state's appraisal of conditions in Poland had nothing in
common with reality. For instance, the state described the con-
ditions at the Pruszkow Hospital as being excellent:wherpna
50X1
36.
suffered from a shortage of water at times, and lacked bed linen,
beds, and many of the simplest instruments. The hospital was under-
staffed, and many of the nurses and ward attendants were not fully
qualified. The situation was also aggravated by the fact that,
because of the housing shortage in the town, many of the hospital'.s
among the most
e. Almost complete isolation from Western culture.
f.. Press and radio censorship.
g. The foisting of everything Soviet on the Poles.
h. Fear of oppression.
1. Fear of arrest by the UB,
rooms were used for housing the staff.
Summing up, the following
unpopular policies and programs in Polanft
a. Collectivization of agriculture.
b. Liquidation of private enterprise.
c. Pressure put upon the church.
d. Liquidation of convent schools.
CONFIDENTIAL
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