THE TESTIMONY OF MONSIEUR HERRIOT 233
ticular importance, for on this day the pride of Russia's foreign
propaganda, the works and dam of Dnieprostroi. were inspected.
The works are indeed imposing, as all the world knows. Vast
sums were spent on their construction, and leading experts
from every country gave their assistance. How long did it
take M. Herriot to inspect the vast works and its annexes "in
every detail" ? From 10 a.m. until 12.30 p.m.—exactly two and a
half hours, which included a visit to the Socialist Settlements
as mentioned in the French papers. During the whole period
M. Herriot took notes, and he declared later: "I personally
inspected the Dnieprostroi, and it is a first-class achievement.
I was unable to visit certain other important works of which I
have seen only plans and relevant figures, e.g. the Uralokus-
nezk combine; but I see no reason why the erection of the
other centres should have met with less success than where I
witnessed the result with my own eyes."
It may be admitted that, by an outlay of millions and with
the help of leading foreign specialists, important industrial
centres have been set up elsewhere also. The question, however,
remains how these works are to function in Russian industry
as a whole and how they are to be exploited for the benefit of
the population. The setting up of the works as such does not
mean much; any number of them can be created with the help
of international experts and of State money taken from the
country's industry. But it may be asked what use has been
found for the power furnished by the Dnieprostroi, and this
is a question which M. Herriot has not yet answered. The
truth, however, has been told recently by foreign engineers^
who report on the complete unproductivity of the Dnie-
prostroi.
M. Herriot thus confines himself to a superficial visit of the
works without asking how the output is utilized and whether
the show places can be run at a profit, however modest While
he praises the economic advantages of the Dnieprostroi for
the workers of the country, it is known from a number of eye*-