The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-04-20
CRISIS IN ALBUQUERQUE

COAETIMEs a situation may be seen and judged more correctly
y from a distance than when one IS in the midst Of H. There Is no
- dust 20 obscure the vision.
Thus the Santa Fe New Mexican, in an editorial, says Of the at
tack BY hbor union oreanizef~ upon the city government;
Union labor, which has threatened 20 recall the city
commissioners unless the city hremen are allowed to organ
i've. thus assumes 10 govern the city Of Albuquerque.
Albuquerque Is facing a real crisis and if her citizens don't
put the quetus on class government now, her iuturc Is going
tc be fullof trouble
There can be no doubt of the assumption to control of the city
government thar is implied by the threat 20 recall the commissioners
There is no doubt that Albuquerque is facing a real crisis and
that unless that crisis is met squnsely aud dealt with vigorously TO
Che end that majority mle and the principles of American govern
ment continue 10 prevail, the future Of this community is going to be
full Of trouble.
In just one phase OF lis estimate of our situation here is the Santa
Fenewspaper IN error. The crisis II not preeiptated by union labor
The majority Of the home owning, forward looking union men Of this
city do not want trouble for themselves, their neghbos or their
home city. They want peace. progress sud prosperity. A little
group II Soenlled labor headers. who in fact ore organizers Of strife
and whose easy earnings are the wages Of discussion, have assumed
10 say what union labor wants and 10 state their personal demands
in the name Of the organixntions whose best interests they constantly
jeopardize by misrepresentation, unwis7 counsel and abuse of power.
These men gain somc Followers by sprcious argument and dan
gerous appeal 10 class prejudice Much of the following they assume
TO represent is that due 10 an easy acqunsccnce By union men toe
busy with their own affairs to inquire deeply INTO what Is beng done
I'M the name Of their organizations
Thus the effort 20 destroy democratic government in this city,
and 70 establish class government by a minority, in its stead, is dis
tincly NOT the effort of union labor; in itself a minority Of the cit
ixenship; but is the effort Of a group composed Of a very few men
whose leaders live by the wages Of agitation and the rewards OF
dissens0n-
W. ( Patterson. the leader of this group. sent word to The Even
ing Herald on Monday to the effect that il ths newspaper should con.
time to direct public attention 10 him as the leader Of he local
group Of labor agitator, he. Patterson. might not be able to restrain
the more radical element" umong his following.
What did Patterson mean by this warning to The Evening
Heradf
What did he mean by this reference 10 his power 10 control a
more radical element IN this community, Of which he thus boosted
his leadership
when a man Of Patiersons stripe can assume 10 restrain or let
loose a more radical element upon this community when such a
man can assume 10 attack, with intent 10 destroy, a municipal gov
eminent which the majority Of all the people have set up, then in
deed is Albuquerque facing a real crisis.