are united into groups of kindred industries. For example, such unions of “chiefs” constitute respectively the “Gomza” (State machine shops), the Centro-copper, the Chief-gold, the Chief-nails, etc.
Here, for instance, is a list of the groups comprising the Department for Metals.
In the textile industry, at the head of which is Centro-textile, we have in addition the so-called “Kusts” (especially in the cotton industry); these unite undertakings which produce half-manufactured products in various stages of manufacture, and also finished products.
Speaking generally, it may be said that all this organisation is still in a state of flux; new forms are continually arising, and old forms are continually dying out. This is inevitable during a time of febrile constructive activity, and when the conditions are so unfavourable because we may own the Ural region to-day and lose it to the enemy to-morrow, because we may be excluded from Ukraine to-day and may be in control there to-morrow.