The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-02-08
TAKE ALL |. ". W.
Mayor Ole Hanson of Seattle
Issues a Statement.
Says 1t Is Fight of Bolshevism
Against Unionism.

Seattle. Feb. s.-Mayor ole Hanson
! today issued the following statement
| regarding Seattle's general strike:
Two years ago $4,000 workmen were
| employed in the industries of Seattle
| There are now $1,000. The unions
have admitted to their ranks under
the stress of war conditions every Boil
| shevik and l. w. w. who desired to
| join. These men have secured con-
troll of many labor organizations. The
| conservative members have shown
their yellow streak by allowing the
foes of organized government to run
| their unions and their affairs
| When the shipyard strike was call
| ed. the men went out unwillingly in
| most instances, altho there is feeling
that the lower paid men were not get
! ting sufficient wages when figured on
the present cost of living.
Tried To Ee Like Russians.
Then the radicals having read of
the revolution in Petrograd tried to
duplicate the initial steps of the same
| here. They wanted to run our light
plant and all industries, believing that
we would surrender because of eco
nomic pressure and suffering of our
people. They had forgotten the lesson
Germany acquired when they tried the
policy of ruthlessness. The city gov
eminent told them to go to hell; that
all things would run as long as there
was a government, and made no con-
cession to the revolutionists. They
closed down the newspaper plants thru
fear of injury of the employees of
newspapers.
Business, always cowardIy, hunted
its hole for a little time until L an
nounced that all people would be pro-
tected to the last man and that we
. had 1900 men armed with rifles to
kill on sight any one that caused dis
order. Yesterday I notified the strike
committee that at o'clock this morn
ing everything would operate. Every
thing is active in Seattle this morn
, ing. Every municipal car is running.
Our light plant has never shut down
one minute. Neither has our water
plant.
Arc Some Fine Birds.
: Gathered together in Seattle is Joe
Ettor of Lawrence Mass, fame;
Mucky Mcdonald and men of his
stripe from all over the Union. Gath
cred here are hundreds and thousands
of Russian Bolsheviki who have ar
rived here during the past two years.
These scoundrelS want to take posses
sion of our American government and
try to duplicate the anarchy of Russia.
:, The seat of government is the city
hall. We swore in 1000 extra police
, and hold in reserve citizens armed
I with rifles and shotguns. I gave or
ders to shoot on sight any disturber OF
l. the peace. They knew from the ex-
; perience they had at the riot few
weeks ago IndC we meant business ana
n believe me, we did.
Wanted Show Down.
). I wanted a show down. If there is
o a majority of these fellows in the
| United States. L don't want to live
:. here. They told me the troops were
e disloyal and you'd not help US. 1 told
u them that was lie but even if it were
!, so, we would fight until we were dead
before we even allowed them to turn
out one eight candle power light.
: Chief of Police Warren is a. rea
Il man who loves his country. We de
cided that we would not call in the
1, federal troops. If they are called il
: to quell disorder, some one else mus
call them. We won't be here. Tht
:. great body of union men saw the light
y Today they are bitterly resenting theil
n false leadership and will overthrow
IS their officers in many unions.
n This is a test of unionism or I. w
Wism. If any one owes higher alleg
n lance to any organization than they d.
= to this country. they are traitors anC
1t should be treated as such. That is al
T. there lis to it. This is a time for union
[. men to stand up and be counted. Thi
II is q time when every American mus
h forget all other allegiance and stant
r. by the government.
nj Unions. on Trial,
The unions of the nation are OIL
Y trial They are either American Fed
l. GRAFTON of Labor loyalists or Bolshevil
traitors
A. This morning the strike is broken
l. Business is resuming. Strikers are re
T. lies PROSTATE. Ninety per cent of Seat
8, tie stands firm for Americanism. TIL
s. other ten per cent will be driven iron
Y; this community.