Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-05-19
MONDAY EVENING, MAY -. 1919.
STRIKE OBSERVATIONS

When there is such confusion right on the ground
as to the issues involved in the Winnipeg strike. those
at q distance can scarcely be expected to have a clear
understanding Of all that is involved in it. All that most
of us can do is to observe, and to make such passing
comment as may be suggested from time to time, with
out any attempt to pass final judgment
One thought that comes at this moment is that
while the sympathetic strike is always to be deplored,
and is usually thoroughly vicious, conditions may exist
in Winnipeg which make that city, at least in a measure,
an exception TO the general rule. Strikes have been
called for insufficient reasons, sometimes for no reason
at all. But it is difficult to conceive of practically the
entire wagc-earning population of a city like Winnipeg
walking out on a mere pretext. If there is any condi-
ton which can even excuse the application of such dras-
tic measures, it is obviously the business of those who
have the welfare of the city at heart, and who arc
charged with responsibility for its order and progress,
to find out what that condition is, and to sec to it that
prompt and effective steps are taken to remedy. it.
Another exceedingly interesting feature is the partic-
ipation of returned soldiers. as an organized body, in
the discussions. That is the first time on this side of the
ocean that a returned soldiers organization has entered
into an economic dispute affecting the industrial life of
a great city. Three things arc especially noteworthy in
connection with the attitude of the soldiers organization
in Winnipeg, as indicated in the resolutions adopted on
Friday.
First, there is the attitude of moderation expressed
in the resolutions. The organization expressed its SYM
pathy with the strikers, but it did so in moderate Ian
guage, conspicuously avoiding the rant of the profess
sional agitator.
Second, there was the affirmative expression Of an
utter lack Of sympathy with the anarchistic spirit which
usually crops out in connection with a great strike. The
men who adopted those resolutions returned from Europe
apparently not merely untouched by the virus of Boil
shevism, but aggressively hostile to that spirit. Seem
ingly the men who have had opportunity to see Boil
shevism at work at short range have had enough of it,
and desire none of it for their own country.
Third, there is to be noted and commended the
sound judgment of the gathering in combining its express
sion to the issue Immediately involved. This was not
done by chance, for there was before the body a differ
ent resolution setting forth the attitude of the body on
a number of matters, all Of some Importance, but most
Of them only remotely related to the matter at hand.
There is a tendency in large gatherings to include in
formal resolutions almost everything within the realm
of human experience. The practice has its usefulness
in that it provides an opportunity for the blowing off Of
a lot of steam without doing any particular damage.
But the body which desires to accomplish some specific
thing will do better to confine itself as closely as possible
set a good example to other deliberative bodies. -