Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-07-31
THE CHICAGO RIOTS

Whlle the race riots in Chicago burst forth suddenly,
the conditions which caused them are undoubtedly many.
and have been a long time in course Of preparation.
States Attorney Hoyne perscribes the trouble to politics.
He says that the administration has been lax in forcing
the law, and has shown favoritism in many cases SO that
dared arrest, and others whom they knew must 20 free.
Mr.. Hoyne was a candidate for mayor against Mayor
Thompson at the last election and perhaps his statements
must be discounted in some measure because of political
rivalry. Nevertheless the course that has been pursued
by Mr.. Thompson during his entire administration has
been such as to justify the belief that the law has not been
enforced with an even hand. Possibly this may have con-
tributed in some measure to the present trouble.
There is also to be considered the latent antagonism
which always develops between the two races when large
numbers of them inhabit the same city. Little acts of an
offensive nature, insignificant in themselves, are resented
and if the perpetrator happens to be a black man and
the victim a white, the offense is likely to be charged by
a considerable number of whites to the black race gener-
ally. A similar result follows when the conditions are re-
versed, and so there is created little by little an explosive
compound which needs but a spark to ignite it.
The Chicago situation has been still further compli-
Gated by the influx Of negroes from the south. 1t is said
that not less than $4,000 negroes have come to Chicago
IRON the South since the beginning Of the world war. La
Dor in all industrial plants was scarce and especially since
the United States entered the war the drain of men into
the army threatened to cripple many of the large plants.
High wages and the prospect of continuous employment,
attracted many of the southern colored laborers, the re-
suit being an addition Of some 5000 people to Chicaeo's
colored> population.
These new arrivals were not welcome az permanent
residents OF the city. The general feeling in Chicago was
that there were already enough blacks in that city, and
while the southern element was endured for the time be-
ing as apparently necessary, its presence was resented bv
a great many of the whites who had no love for the negro
anyway. This new element has not yet found itself. 1t
is composed quite largely Of foaters and contains many
disturbers. There is no doubt that the influx Of this
great number Of colored people has done a great deal to
create the strong feeling Of antagonism which has ex-
pressed itself 80 violently and SO fatally.
The appeal of Governor Louden to all persons TO obev
the law is scarcely likely to have much effect on those
who are active participants in the riotins. Such an an
peal may aid in restoring to sanity those who under the
influence Of great excitement have lost control OF them
selves and who in their ordinary life are peaceful citizens
But in such a case as this the greater part Of the r1otine
is almost invariably done by persons who are naturally
inclined in that direction. Without doubt a great many
others have been dragged In through conditions Of what
they considered to be self-defense. But it seems that the
riots can be ended and proper conditions restored only by
the strong hand of q forceful and impartial CITY notice
aided II necessary by the military force Of the state.