The Washington herald., 1908-03-13
SOCIALIST BILL Is UP.
English Parliament Faces
Unusual Measure.
PROVIDES STATE WORK SHOPS
COmPeIS Rate Payers 10 Provide
Employment for All Persons Out
Of WOrk-U MON Rate Of Wages De-
nannded-JOhn Burns Against Bill.
Advises Followers to wait.

London. March 12-An parties are
awaiting with keen interest tomorrow 5
session II the House OF Commons. when
philip ". Wilson, assistant editor Of the
Daily News, who represents South st.
Pancras in Parliament. will move the
second reading Of the unemployed work
mems bill. which is the most soeialistic
measure ever presented TO the Parlia-
ment OF Great Britain.
Il virtually compels the rate payers 20
provide employment for all persons out
OF work. and establishes state workshops
which viii pay trade union wages.
The government allowed the introduc-
ton Of the bin some time ago without
opposition. apparently owing to Prime
Minister Campbell -Banncrman's wish not
TO offend the socialist and labor mem
bers. and TO hold all his followers.
whether taclt or avowed. It has now
been decided however. 10 draw a sharp
line between liberalism and socialism.
and the government Will accordingly sup
port an amendment submitted by Fred
erick Madison. a liberal laborite. which.
while sympathizing with the unem-
ployed, declares that Parliament can
not entertain measure which. by vast
ing the resources of the nation. would
throw out af work more persons than II
would assist, and which would destroy
the power Of organized labor"
Further Action Asked.
Furthermore. the amendment expresses
hope that the government viii immediate
" consider the recommendations in the
forthcoming report OF the poor law COM
mission, so far as these deal with the
question Of the unemployed.
The debate IS expected TO lead to a stif
fight between the official Liberals and
their supporters and the Socialists and
Laborites. Herbert AsQuith, chancellor of
the exchequer. TO whose uncOmpromisinE
liberalism the governments attitude is
largely attributed has Cancelled a pro-
vinciaI political engagement, so that he
viii be able 10 attend the session.
John Burns. president Of the local gov
ernmeut board, who is a well-known labor
leader, is among the strongest opponents
Of the BILL
Burns Against Bill.
discussion and will adjure faithful Lib
erals 10 await a government bill dealing
with the question Of unemployment, which
Will follow the poor law commissions re-
Eert.
Many Liberals belonging to the Radical
section. fearing the hostility of the
more advanced Of their constituents. will
be absent Their convictions fmpel them
to oppose the measure. while their fears
restrain them from voting against it. so
they viii seek safety In flight II the
supporters of the bill put up an uncom-
promising fight. there will be a great and
unbridgeable cleavage in the government
ranks Much depends upon the attitude
Of the sponsors OF the most contentious
points Of the bill.
Many OF the Irish members have
promised to support the Socialists and
LabOrites. The Conservatives must per
force support the government or abstain
from voting. Ii was doubtless mainly in
view of the impending struggle that Lord
Rosebery to-day spoke against Socialism
at the meeting Of the Liberal League.