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 neces- 
sary care, and the management was only too glad under the circum- 
stances to obtain any recruits. With a staff so numerous, it is evi- 
dent 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 organi- 
zation 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 ac- 
counting 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 appoint- 
ments 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 enthusi- 
asm 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 prepara- 
tion of rules for the classification of the zemstvo employees, and in 
the consideration of their claims to remuneration. After the Revolu- 
tion 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 prin- 
cipal 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.