The Washington times., 1936-08-28
REIGN OF TERROR AS POLICE STAND BY IN SEATTLE STRIKE
EMPLOYEES BEATEN, KICKED BY
GANGS OF P.-L. PICKEFS

which forced the Post-Intelligencer
to suspend publication August 13
when a mob of longShoremen, tim
ber workers and teamSters block
AIDED the plant on the pretext of
a trivial walkout of minor en-
ployes, was finally told in all it's
startling and shameful details
today.
It is a story of beatings admin
istered by picket gangs to loyal
employees whose only crime was a
desire to continue to earn their
living. 1t is a story of intimida-
tion and threats and gang vio-
lence.
Many of the details of what
occurred August 13 and the early
morning hours Of August IA have
been disclosed only gradually and
reluctantly because the victims
feared further reprisals at the
hands of gangs Of toughs.
Lives ImperiIed
It is because of such conditions
as these that the PoSt-Intelligencer
management announced that 1t
would not attempt to publish under
conditions which exposed its en-
ployeS to physical harm and i'm
periled their very lives.
It was for that reason and not
the walkout of % employees who
held minor positions in the edl-
torial department of the paper
that the PostrIntelligencer shut
down. The SO editorial staff mem
berS who remained at their posts
were ample to perform all news
gathering and editing tasks with
out difficulty.
Here are the highlights of what
occurred because a militant news
paper had aroused the enmity of
Dave Beck, Seattle's labor dicta-
tor:
At least 10 employees of the Post
1ntelligencer were beaten by gangs
comprising a half dozen to 200
men each with no chance to de-
fend themselves. Two victims were
injured so seriously they were
LaKen TO QOSplCdlS.
Dozens of other employees we're
threatened with physical harm by
the toughS on the picket line.
Many Intoxicated
Thirty employees were impris-
oned throughout the night of
August 1914 by a mob which, in
the words of police captains in
charge of officers at the scene
"howled and shrieked" around the
Post-Intelligencer building until
late in the morning. Many of the
pickets were intoxicated.
At least one police officer at
the scene was injured by a flying
missile as the besieged workers
were removed from the plant
under heavy police guard.
Workers being taken to their
homes in cars were followed by
cars filled with strongarm pickets.
Outside citizens having legiti-
mate business at the offices Of
the acknowledgement and having
no part in the controversy were
forcibly prevented from entering
the building by the picket mob.
Telegraph messenger boys at
tempting to carry kilograms into
the Post-Intelligencer plant were
threatened with physical harm
and with breaking of their
bicycles.
Union craftsmen employed by
the PoSt-Intelligencer who were
ready and willing to take their
posts were physically prevented
from doing so by the picket gang.
Feared for Lives
Local heads of the unions in
volved explained later to the man
agement that the very lives of
their members were at stake if
they attempted to go through the
picket line.
While the police Of the city
looked inertly on, while Mayor
John F.. Dore, political ally of
Labor Car Beck, chatted with
the men in the picket line and
while the governor of the State,
also friendly to Beck, declined to
interfere because there is no
breakdown of law and order and
no violence" here is what hap
pened in and near the Post-Intel-
lgencer blockade.
Donald Litchfield, Post -Intelli-
gencer staff artist-About $50
p. m. Thursday, August 13, Litch-
field left the Post-Intelligencer
building, passing between several
policemen gathered at the door.
He had proceeded less than so
feet when the mob of pickets
Swirled about him knocking him
down and kicking him.
Merciless BeatingS
Unable to rise, he crawled
along the side of a nearby build
ing to a side entrance and
dragged himself inside. When he
tried to catch his breath, the mob
swarmed about the side entrance
crying for his blood. Office at
tendants in the building told hir
he would have to get out, and
he stepped out into the arms of
the thugs. Again he was sub
jected to merciless beatings.
Gaining an alley, he fled into
the rear entrance of a garage.
Here again he was refused refuge
and once again was compelled to
face the bloodthirstY picketS. now