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Article: Polish, Soviet Shoppers Hear The Footsteps of Price Reform;Jaruzelski Tackles Challenge Of Chaotic System of Values
- Article from:
- The Washington Post
- Article date:
- October 23, 1987
- Author:
CopyrightThis material is published under license from the Washington Post. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Washington Post. (Hide copyright information)
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In the crowded markets at the center of this city, it is cheaper
to buy a pound of boned beef than a pound of tomatoes. About two
pounds of bananas cost the equivalent of $9, while a quart of milk is
9 cents.
At the state-owned department store, a dress costs about half the
average weekly pay. But the cheapest color television set goes for
10 times the official weekly income of communist leader Gen. Wojciech
Jaruzelski.
Then there is the Polish Fiat, perhaps the single greatest
measure of madness in this Eastern Bloc economy. For a typical Pole,
this rickety subcompact costs four years of an average worker's
salary. If American cars cost as much in comparison to American
wages, ...