Thank you for visiting SNEWPapers!
Sign up free
Editorial
August 29, 1951
Seward Seaport Record
Seward, Alaska
What is this article about?
Mildred Kirkpatrick's editorial discusses nationwide labor disturbances, implying communist influence in most, but defends Seward, Alaska's longshoremen as community members unlikely to be swayed. Urges arbitration and hopes they avoid association with communist-led unions.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
The Cradle Rocker
By Mildred Kirkpatrick
Today's news is filled with labor disturbances. The important copper industry throughout the country, sugar and pineapple industries in Hawaii, longshoremen and warehousemen in Hawaii, waterfront unions in jurisdictional dispute in California—and longshoremen in Seward.
Communism and subversive activity seems to be definitely implied in most cases, although the Seward union has not been openly accused.
This is a family town, most of the longshoremen own their own homes and have lived here for years, raising their children together in a small community, friends among friends.
We hesitate to think that our friends and acquaintances could possibly allow themselves to be led astray in their thinking by any individual or minority group.
They are not ignorant nor illiterate men, for the most part they know what the score is. Surely then, they could see through any insidious nagging, or persistent quiet urging which is the line of attack used by Communism.
Because of the fact that these are our friends, we must continue to believe that they do have a just complaint, and that they will submit to the arbitration of that complaint, and be willing to give an inch here to gain one there.
No two parties ever leave a mediation conference entirely satisfied. Someone has to lose something. If our longshoremen can achieve success with their major requirement, can they afford to relinquish some of the minor arguments? That seems entirely reasonable.
The fierce pride of Alaskans for Alaska will prompt most of the Territory to stand behind the just and reasonable complaints of the union, but it is to be sincerely hoped that Seward men will not allow themselves to be linked in the public mind with the definitely Communistic element in control of the other unions in the news today.
By Mildred Kirkpatrick
Today's news is filled with labor disturbances. The important copper industry throughout the country, sugar and pineapple industries in Hawaii, longshoremen and warehousemen in Hawaii, waterfront unions in jurisdictional dispute in California—and longshoremen in Seward.
Communism and subversive activity seems to be definitely implied in most cases, although the Seward union has not been openly accused.
This is a family town, most of the longshoremen own their own homes and have lived here for years, raising their children together in a small community, friends among friends.
We hesitate to think that our friends and acquaintances could possibly allow themselves to be led astray in their thinking by any individual or minority group.
They are not ignorant nor illiterate men, for the most part they know what the score is. Surely then, they could see through any insidious nagging, or persistent quiet urging which is the line of attack used by Communism.
Because of the fact that these are our friends, we must continue to believe that they do have a just complaint, and that they will submit to the arbitration of that complaint, and be willing to give an inch here to gain one there.
No two parties ever leave a mediation conference entirely satisfied. Someone has to lose something. If our longshoremen can achieve success with their major requirement, can they afford to relinquish some of the minor arguments? That seems entirely reasonable.
The fierce pride of Alaskans for Alaska will prompt most of the Territory to stand behind the just and reasonable complaints of the union, but it is to be sincerely hoped that Seward men will not allow themselves to be linked in the public mind with the definitely Communistic element in control of the other unions in the news today.
What sub-type of article is it?
Labor
What keywords are associated?
Labor Disturbances
Communism In Unions
Seward Longshoremen
Alaska Labor
Arbitration
Subversive Activity
What entities or persons were involved?
Seward Longshoremen
Communist Elements
Hawaiian Unions
California Waterfront Unions
Editorial Details
Primary Topic
Labor Disputes And Communist Influence In Unions
Stance / Tone
Supportive Of Local Seward Union Against Communism
Key Figures
Seward Longshoremen
Communist Elements
Hawaiian Unions
California Waterfront Unions
Key Arguments
Labor Disturbances Imply Communism Except Possibly In Seward
Seward Longshoremen Are Established Community Members Unlikely To Be Swayed
They Should Pursue Arbitration And Compromise On Minor Issues
Alaskans Support Just Union Complaints But Hope To Avoid Communist Association