Voice of action. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1933-1936, 1934-11-16

The lawyer for the reformist long.
shoremen's union had greet
ed the collection list rendered
him by rising from his chair
leaning over the desk, elasping
heartily the hand Of the bearer
and expressing himself with an
exuberant burst of joyful ener-
gy. "Sit down a minute. What's
your name?"
Zari. Yes, we need money to
keep our relief kitchen going.
The chairman of the Finance
Committee of the revolutionary
seamen's union showed his hat on
to the desk and placed himself
in a chair.
We'll, well, Zari, you fellows
really mean business, don't you?
Have cigarette?'
No thanks, Mr.. Lingrel, / got
some." He pulled out a cigarette
and Mr.. Lingrel lit it and his
own with a flashing metal light
er. Our pickets are out all night
now without even a cup of cot
fee, and that makes it tough"
"Zari, you know L respect you
fellows a great deal" Lingrel
tilted his chair back; contem-
plated the ceiling seriously. He
was about thirty, a vigorous
devil-may-care type. His present
expression made Zari think of
him as a young fellow who
wanted to be something else,
maybe a seaman. But he just
couldn't be one, maybe because
OF a physical handicap, perhaps
he was subject to fits, anything.
He brought his chair down, lean
ed forward, and continued medi-
tatively, Public sentiment can
be a very cruel thing. The ship
owners have created just such
public sentiment. CruelI The
lawyer smashed his fist down on
the desk and sprang UP from his
chair. Struggling to be calm he
resumed his seat, hands working
frantically through his ruffled
hair.
What do you mean, Mr.. Lin
grel?" Zari's roughened, intent
face started forward bewildered
at the attorneys emotional out
burst.
"Ah, he'll, Zari, it's a crime.
Here now, look. Your union is
supporting the longshoremen.
You boys are working night and
day, doing your damndest to as
sist the longshoremen and at the
same time utilizing the strike to
improve the lot OF seamen. Now
then, what could be better than
seamen and longshoremen of diff
ferent organizations working to-
gether for mutual gain?" Lingrel
emphasized his statements by
internationally ia b bling his
knuckles down on an open book
lying before him.
That's the only way we will
win the strike" interpolated
Zari, growing even more wrapped
in intentness as he sensed that
something was in the other
mans mind he was not. familiar
with was about to be revealed.
The sun burning through the
window at his left oppressed
that side of his head. He drew
out handkerchief and pressed
it vigorously around his face.
"The papers are continually
attacking the lOngshOremen as
being Communists or under CON-
munist influence. OF course re-
ferring to your union as being
Communistic and largely respOn-
sible for the present strike. Zari,
don't you see? It's the shipown-
ers, Zarii" His voice left its even
ly modulated deliberate note and
rose to an excited pitch as it
roved on. TT is the antagonism
created by the papers-organs OF
such moneyed people as they
that-are responsible for long
shoremen even beating up a few
of your pickets." Lingrel drop
ped into quitude and relaxa-
ton.
"The pickets that were beat
up were beat UP by some lack
eys OF the labor takers. The aver
age longshoreman gets along
swell with U.S." The lawyer lis
tened, his arms draped over the
back of his chair. Zari had ex-
pressed a difference of opinion.
He wanted to ascertain just how
smart this guy was, this naive
appearing seaman whose men,
tai processes seemed entirely
absorbed with the getting of
money for the relief kitchen. THE
leaders don't want us to talk to
the rank and file because they're
afraid of a United Front. The
same with the business agent Of
the International Seamen's IN
ion. He tries the same game. They
are afraid of the workers stick
ing together and putting up a
real fight. We're going to expose
this in a strike bulletin we are
putting out today" At the term
nation of his explanation Zari
appeared eager for the others
opinion.
The lawyer was ready. He
chuckled. I'm certainly sorry