Scandinavian American. [volume] (Seattle, Wash.) 1945-1958, 1951-02-09


keep everything running full blast that fighting
boys Korea get their full share of supplies and equip
ment.
But it is advisable uphold the first amendment the
cardinal principle of democracy and to make it work
to it's fullest extent We have heard all opinions of the
side against the strikers but very little pitifuly little
about the the opposite side the daily press.
Congress shall make no law abridging the freedom of
speech the press but the press often abridges
pleases and as surely may much to the disadvantage
of workers. for they have real press of their This
then is perhaps fatal phenomenon of great democ
racy that the aborng classes who the febood of
the country and give to the bread all enjoy should
not be able to exert the powerful pressure public
opinion those interests with which must engage in
conflict particularly when the conflict reaches national
boiling point.
This phenomenon it may be called has been
of continuous amazement to most West Europeans While
in Scandinavia heard representative of the moderate
Labor government in power voice the opinion that only
one thing puzzled and worried him about America the
fact that the American worker had distinct political
party and press of his without press to
interests the Social Democrats would have gain
ed power and held it for nearly 20 years" he said
This is fascinating subject but which be treat
ed satisfactorily only from the viewpoint of special
conditions in America. The ambition of the American
worker is to become capitalist, James Truslow Adams
said in effect The organized American worker has been
able to achieve the worlds highest living standard through
traditional democratic procedures may also say And
there is also good point in sressng that the system of
class distinctions which has shaped the of the
class struggle, predominant in European politics. and
the very premise for communism itself does not thrive
America And because of this many have been grateful
that they to this country Herein lies much of Amer
icas true greatness.
Whatever special conditions may add up to- the fact
remains, however that whenever class of workers. like
that of the raroadmen threatens and harms the national
interest and the public is not fully informed why
and what grounds it does then something is wrong
basicaly wrong During the past week have the
papers overlooking with countless stories that only add up
to much gossip and compared the ma
tional interest while the of the striking workers.
their side of the story has been brushed off in few
lines We do know that they striking basicay for
4O-hour week. which most organized workers already
enjoy and higher pay which they not notorious
having But there is bigger story behind all that the
background of their story all the motives for their action
that parayzed the mightiest nation earth why only
they should be blamed for reaching settlement on
issues of vital concern to the whole labor movement
And yet the papers, who sometimes send reporters
around the globe to investigate curious tres only left
us in daze to think of something base and criminal But
let's not forget, they Americans. too!-TN Ia. .