The San Francisco call., 1910-09-11

threatened with bankruptcy. This was
partly due tC the large numbers of new
labor members who came into the
house at that memorable election.
1t is true that the men in the labor
ranks were of the most abstemious
habits. Two of these splendid veterans
Of the past are still members OF the
lfhuse Of commons. One of these is
Thomas Burt, or Tommy" Burt, as
he is almost universally known.
Here is a remarkable example of
man who, though he represented in his
day views that were considered revolu-
tionary. and who took his share in
some OF the most bitter fights that
ever took place between capital and
labor has lived to be among the most
universally loved and respected mem
bers of the house of commons.
BURT LOOKS LIKE MINISTER
Tommy" Burt is little man, not
much more than feet 4, with a frag-
lie. delicate frame. He wears long
beard. originally rather reddish, but
now tinged with gray.
He wears spectacles and would pass
either for the minister of a small COM
munity or a Schoolmaster. His voice
is soft and low, he speaks with a strong
Northumbrian accent that is sometimes
rather difficult to understand and he
began life in the mines as a child.
He was almost entirely self educated,
but has managed to make himself one
of the best read men in the house of
commons.
He is as fondly admired by the most
bitter tory a 5 he is by the miners Of the
north, the conditions of whose lives he
has materially helped.
He has been a subordinate minister,
has recently been made a privy coun-
selor, emitting him to be called the
right honorable, and when an address
was presented to Queen Alexandra by
the house of commons he was chosen to
present it, He returned to the house
amid universal cheering to bring back
the reply of the queen. Tommy" Burt
is real teetotaler.
HERO AND PEACE MAKER
John Wilson, who is the son of OBJ
scure parentage, is a grim man, also
short in stature. He has also been the
hero OF many fierce fights, but now in
his old age he is soft spoken, a peace
maker and he is also, l may mention,
q teetotaler.
] might go through whole list of
the labor members and there would be
few to whom this would not apply.
John Burns is a lifelong teetotaler, has
never smoked. and in addition has never
worn an overcoat, one OF his great
boasts.
John looks older than he is, for his
beard is almost white, but he is like
a dynamo for restlessness; he is never
still for a moment. He spends the day
either in his office or rushing all over
London on a bicycle.
Ramsay Mcdonald, who has been q
schoolmaster, is perhaps the most cul-
tured member of the labor party. He is
widely read, has written several books
and has been a contributor to several
journals for years. He is also tee
totaler.
The result of having so such men in
the last house of commons is that the
consumption of whisky went down
enormously and champagne was almost
a drug on the market
MEN LIKE TEA, TOO
Tea in the afternoon is as much a
necessity of the Englishman as the
Englishwoman. There is also the ter
race, which in summer weather is quite
it hundreds of ladies in bright summer
wear taking tea and strawberries
Here members are very glad often dur
ing the hot weather TO take their
smokes, and many of them spend far
more hours during the summer time
there than do in the house itself. The
terrace is also crowded in summer at 10
TO II o'clock at night by ladies who
have dined with members, and take
their coffee and liquors there after they
have had dinner in the dining rooms
which are open to ladies.
In all night sittings special pro-
visions are made for members. Once
I had to do some business with Lloyd
George a year ago when the budget
was still being discussed The only
time l could see him was between
and O'Clock in the morning. / found
him in one of the dining rooms taking
supper. | was surprised to find the
room cram full, and everybody was
taking food quite as copiously as if
they were at their O'Clock dinner.