The chronicle of Eger Tobacco Factory
The cigarette factory
On August 10th of the same year an article appeared in the local newspaper Igazság outlining the factory’s three-year plan. During the initial years of the plan - whose importance was stressed to the workers in a formal meeting held by the director - priority was given to the modernising of the dust-removing equipment, to the extension of the nursery which now had 70 children to accommodate, to the building of a workers’ hostel at the Felsőtárkány springs, and also to the introduction of “loud speakers and a factory studio by means of which to broadcast music in the quiet workrooms”. 1949 was “revolution” year. On the basis of a decision made by the MDP Political Committee, a freeze on appointment of members came into operation from September 1948 until the middle of 1949. After a revision of members had been conducted, those who were in the vanguard of the body of workers came to enjoy real political and economic power within the factory, and in fact had total control over its operations right up until 1953. The narrow vision which characterised the political leaders of the time also made itself felt in the factory’s party union. “We must put a stop to the spirit of chumminess that prevails; we can’t have people addressing each other as “Billy”, “Lizzy”, “Peggy” and the like”. Yet despite all this strictness, the company’s party leadership turned a blind eye to the flagrant apathy of the dexterous János Gyimesi, who, according to an entry in the members’ meetings log book, “relates very well to his work, and has even been decorated with an outstanding worker’s badge. The problem lies in the fact that he simply undertakes no party business and has no allegiance to the movement”. Evidence of more deviators from the party line came to light as well, for instance the case of comrade Csank who was “a very industrious production worker, but who has an aversion to carrying the picture of comrade Rákosi during formal parades, saying that he can’t carry it because of his briefcase”. Factory women in spring dress at a Mayday parade in the early fifties
