The producers news., 1919-11-28
backing for it.

meNL OF JuSL1Cc dL w do4lIlIS LOlA
are in a humiliating position ov-
er the shooting at Centralia,
Wash. We were told at first
that there was a blind, stupid,
vicious assault on a parade of
marching soldiers. The depart
ment of justice acted as if this
were the proved fact. Those of
US who do not sprinkle salt on
press reports naturally felt pref
ty indignant too.
But the local coroner's jury
has failed to fix responsibility
for the killings and has returned
an open verdict. It could not
do otherwise in the face of
sworn testimony of men in the
parade that raid was made on
the workingmen's boarding
house before the shooting from
it began. During a temporary
halt of the parade someone sug-
gested a raid on this place.
II spoke up and said | would
lead if enough would follow"
testified Doctor Frank Bickford,
one of the marchers, "but be-
fore l could take the lead there
were many ahead of me. Some
one next to me put his foot
against the door and forced it
open, after which a shower of
bullets poured through the op-
cning about us"
If there were criminals in the
house they should have beea
;.pprehended by the police. 9th
erwise their dwelling was sa-
cred against mob violence and
in resisting the mob the occu-
pants were merely defending
themselves.
The press has endeavored to
keep up the first false impress
sjons by stories about desper~
ate battles with fugitives in the
bad lands. The posse met no
one who offered resistance. be-
sicged q deserted cabin and
succeeded in killing one of !heir
own number.
Reports from Italy declare
that less than half Of the i1%ible
voters voted in the general elec-
ton last week. How they tu1n-
ed out in France is NO. stated,
but y decline in the number of
Socialists elected would indicate
4 small vote by the so-cai!cd
radical elements. In the Brit
ish general elections last fall
only about half turned ont and
a good many Labor party men
lost by the failure of workers to
go to the polls. Yet Europe is
supposed to be stirred as never
vene in Russia properly and
questions.
What is the explanation? Un-
doubtedly the growth Of the di-
rect-action idea. There has al
ways been a school of radical
thought which declared political
action impossible. Their num-
bers have grown rapidly Of late,
due to the way fair political ac-
ton has been ,hl:ied to those
who oppose the ruling pcliti-
clans. Our own country is YUM
ming into tie same danger.
which is greater, than any radi-
cal vote could Nc.
Few will question that fair
elections have been denied by
our politicians here. Farmers
uniting for political action arc
denied free assembly and free
speech. Opposition papers arc
driven out by Postmaster Bur
Lesson. Illegal raiders descend
on Socialist head, ,ua!tel', AND
destroy the campaign literature
paid for by the pennies OF the
poor who want to vote the So
cialiSt ticket. Where the r;>di-
calls win they are likely to be
counted out.
We are going TO 500 more and
more of this as the time passes.
and every autocl;!t,c act will add
to the number Of those who
preach the foldin" oi hands and
waiting for the violent revolu-
ton. A Farmer-Labor party is
assured for the United States
unless too many of the workers
are driven into this extreme
frame Of mind by the out!%yes
against political action.
Lloyd George has recently
said some things in parliament