The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-04-29
Virtually Normal.

The employers agreed to forgive n
forget and not to discriminate against
some wage cuts. a closed shop order
confronting the longshoremen who had
won the open shop before the strike
came, are among the exceptions to the
understanding, but the strikes which
have resulted are comparatively unim-
Ing the intensity OF feeling, the atti-
tude or the employers is, on the whole,
commendable. They did not take ad-
vantage Of the situation. Many OF
them knew that among the workers
themselves was a considerable body
who didn't wan the general strike, but
who were terrorized by the radicals.
Nobody knows what might have hap
pened II there had been a clash, a bad
move on their side, and the city could
take no chances. The presence Of
troops was a precaution dictated by a
desire to play absolutely safe. Yet
some OF me best posted newspaper men
in Seattle, who have spent years study
ing labor conditions here, and whose in
tegrlty Is unquestioned, assured me-
that they didn't believe then that rev.
olutlon vas intended, and they still
don't believe It.
Most of the laboring men in the un-
Ions OF Seattle are conservative, They
own their homes and are permanent
residents, They do not want to see
property destroyed. Members Of the !.
W. w, however, and other radicals,
many OF whom have been deported,
have for a long time been trying to
Stir up trouble. They selected the Pc
riod OF uncertainty in the shipyards fol-
lowing the close OF the war 10 test out
their strength. They were sadly dis
appointed. And the unions have ben
| Gifted by the episode. because people
know who are the men and who are
the types Of leaders who can bring
abiding, patriotic Americans who be-
lieye In settling their troubles by ne
| Eotiation, rather than by violence.
But today, viewed historically. both
sides say II Is an Ill wind that blows
no good. Radicolism was ~repudiate
by the large body Of peaceful workers
who believe In American institutions
and who van no Bolshevism In this
country. The conservative leaders
among the union men have grown
stronger with the rank and file. and
will gradually displace the radicals.
city is on the threshold OF an era OF
tremendous expansion. Skilled work
ers, machinery end shipbuilding plants
abound. II the government were only
to adopt a definite policy on shipbuild
ing this region would jump ahead in
stantly. Indecision IS painful,
Peace is anxlously awaited. Symps-
thy with PresidenL Wilson, and conf
dence in his iuds1Aent at Paris, are
characteristic OF Tie people here. mos,
Of whom are Republicans, outspoker
editorials OF support for the president
In the Italian controversy appeared In
the newspapers Of Seattle. Senator
Poindexter's attitude is criticized BY
Independent newspapers Of the state
and the sentiment for q league OF ma
lions is overwhelming In this region
Seattle Is an idealistic community,
That's why ten weeks after tina
near-revolution hygones are bygones
versive doctrines OF Bolshevism, EN-
ployer and employees have \ full appre'
Citation OF the interdependence Of each
other In the social and industrial com
munity.
Copyright, 1919, by the New York
Evening Post, Incl