Business: Race with Russia

How does U.S. economic growth compare with that of the Soviet Union? Last week the National Bureau of Economic Research gave a qualified answer in its annual report: on a percentage basis, industrial output in Russia has risen more rapidly than in the U.S. since 1928, but only about one-fourth as rapidly as the Russians claim. Russia's growth statistics are peppered with gaps, probably omit some stagnant or declining industries, use highly doubtful totals. Most of Russia's gain has been the result of massive diversion of manpower to industry, a regimented movement roughly similar to the voluntary exodus to the cities...

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