El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1919-04-28

demonstrated better than many a
soap box lecturer ever could how end
less would be the chain Of general
strikes if one OF them was declared on
every occasion that group OF unions
had a grievance.
The affair proved to most Of the la
boring men that the methods they had
for years followed Of settling their
troubles through conservative union
leaders were the only methods worth
following and while they bitterly re-
scented the dictatorial tone adopted by
persons outside their organization de-
handing that they clean house"
nevertheless il is safe prediction that
they viii clean house just the same.
The central labor council in Seattle is
not representative Of labor and = per-
cent Of the workers would probably
say so were they to be canvasSed-
if the central labor council had any
prestige before the general strike, il
lost the same by the fiasco-
AEree on No Discrimination.
The employers agreed TO a forgive
and forget and not 10 discriminate
against the strikers. A lockout Of gas
filters, some wage cuts. a closed shop
order confronting the longshoremen
who had won the open shop before the
strike came are among the exceptions
10 the understanding. but the strikes
which have resulted are compare
lively unimDortant and few I'm number.
Considering the intensity Of feel
Ing. the attitude OF the employers
Il on the whole commendabIe.
They did not take advantage Of
the situation. Many Of them knew
that among the workers them
selves was n considerable body
who didn't want the general strike
but who were terrOrized by the
radicals.
NOBODY knows what might have
happened III there had been a clash. a
bad move on either side, and since the
city could take no chances the pres
ence Of troops was a precauuon die
tated by desire TO play absolutely
Yet some Of the best posted news
paper men in Seattle who have spent
years studying labor conditions here
and whose integrity is unguestioned.
assured me that they didn't believe
then that revolution was intended and
they still don't believe IT,
I. ". W. Really TO Blame
Most or the labOring men in the
unions Of Seattle are conservative
They own their homes and are perma-
nent residents They do not want TO
see property destroyed Members Of
the J. W W, however. and other radi-
Gals many Of whom have been de-
ported, have for a long time been try
ing 10 stir up trouble. They selected
the period Of uncertainty in the ship
yards. following the close OF the war.
TO test out their strength. They were
sadly disappointed. And the unions
have benefited by the episode because
people now know who are the men
and who are the types OF leaders who
can bring disrepute on the heads OF
that great body OF law abiding. patri-
otic Americans who believe in set
Ting their industrial troubles by ne
COLLATION. rather than by violence.
Ship Building Policy Needed.
But today, viewed historically, both
sides say Il is an i'll wind that blows
no good Radicalism was repudiated
by the large body Of peaceful work
ers who believe in American institu-
tons and who want no bOlshevism IN
this country The conservative lead
ers among the union men have grown
stronger with the rank and file and
viii gradually displace the radicals.
Seattle is busy and prosperous The
city is on the threshold OF an era Of
tremendous expansion Skilled work
ers, machinery and shipbuilding plants
abound II the government were only
10 adopt definite policy on ship
oulldlng this region would jump
ahead instantly.
lndecision is painful
Peace is anLiOusly awaited
sympathy with president Wilson and
confidence in his judgment az Paris
are cteristic OF the peoule here.
most OF whom are Republicans
Sentiment for League Overwhelming.
OutspoHen editorials Of support for
the president in the Italian coutro-
Eersy appeared in the newspapers OF
seattle today Senator POindeNter's
attitude IS criticised BY the indepen-
dent newspapers Of the state and the
sentiment for a league Of nations is
oTerwhelming in this region Seattle
IS an idealstic community. That's why
ten weeks after that near-revolution.
byegones are byegones and far from
being victims OF the subverEive doc
trines OF bolshevism, employer and
employe have fuu appreciation Of the
dependence OF each other in the
social and industrial community
Copyright, 1913. by New York Evening
Post Inc