RUMANIA: Early Bird

When Communists want to speed production in their factories, they swing a spotlight onto especially eager worker’s, called Stakhanovites, whose example sets the pace for higher production targets and individual output “norms.” Last week in Rumania the abnormal norms of Stakhanovite Lathe Operator Constantin Vasilache established what ought to be a Stakhanovite record for all satelliteland. In August, it was announced, Hero of Socialist Labor Vasilache turned out work equal to six times his norm every day. Vasilache totted up past performances and reported proudly in Rominia Libera: “Thanks to these accomplishments, I was able to start work on my quota for the year 2010.”