CONCLUSION

305

ure, but it is certain that the number of men employed by the unions
was very large. This personnel could not be selected with the necessary
 care, and the management was only too glad under the circumstances
 to obtain any recruits. With a staff so numerous, it is evident
 that the original patriarchal relationship could not for long be
maintained and that the whole organization was bound to acquire
gradually the character of a huge factory with a vast number of
divisions and sections producing different goods. If such an organization
 was to be successful, it required in the first place to be run
on a strict system and plan. As we have seen, there was a period
when estimates were examined by numerous authorities. Then there
was a period of preliminary control without which no expenditure
could be incurred. This was followed by a period of detailed accounting
 and bookkeeping; and finally came the period of strict
regulation. The result of this transformation was that the original
enthusiasm and creative zeal suffered a considerable check and the
zemstvo representatives at the front gradually found themselves in
a position similar to that of government officials. In the meantime,
however, the difficulties of the work were rapidly increasing.
One result of the new conditions was that many of the original
zemstvo workers abandoned work at the front, and sought appointments
 in the departments of the committee in Moscow or resigned
altogether. There was, moreover, the fact that many of the zemstvo
employees were gradually being called up for military service.
The Revolution of 1917 likewise reduced their number. Prince
Lvov, the President of the Zemstvo Union, became the head of the
Provisional Government, and was able to inspire with fresh enthusiasm
 the zemstvos whom he considered indispensable in the building
up of the new state. Long before these events took place, the leading
organs of the Union at the front had been engaged in the preparation
 of rules for the classification of the zemstvo employees, and in
the consideration of their claims to remuneration. After the Revolution
 these claims were further complicated by political demands.
Following the example of the zemstvo employees in the interior,
those at the front demanded the right to be represented in the principal
 departments of the Union. This “democratization” passed
quietly and without disturbance, and the directors of departments
retained a decisive voice in all matters which came up for discussion
at the boards and committees.