A thousand Jewish artisans will now be considered as Nepmen, according to a new order of the Financial Inspectorate. The order imposes upon certain classes of artisans a revenue tax similar to that of private traders. The artisans, thus affected will be classified as traders, thereby losing their artisan rights for bread cards, dwellings and education for their children.
Among 37 categories which the order affects are millinery, embroidery and pillow makers, shoelace manufacturers and tailors. Eager not to lose their artisan’s privileges, many have declared themselves ready to leave these trades, remaining unemployed, which, under the Soviet law, would be better than to be classified as Nepmen.
A “clean-up” in a number of Jewish artisan cooperatives is expected as a result of a campaign conducted by the “Emes,” Communist daily, against the “Kulaks” (wealthy peasants), speculators, former manufacture, Nepmen and clergy invading the artisan cooperatives.
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The Archive of the Jewish Telegraphic Agency includes articles published from 1923 to 2008. Archive stories reflect the journalistic standards and practices of the time they were published.
