Wheeling majority. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1907-192?, 1911-10-19

monte rule Of comparatively few alb
solute masters over a numerous socially
subject class.
The wage system was a step in the
evolution Of freedom, but only step.
sociations the wage system would pro-
.duce q social state lower than that of
feudalism
There can be no social freedom nor
compete justice until there are no more
hirelings IN the world until all become
both the employers and the employed
of society.
This social freedom, this complete
justice, can be accomplished only by
the collective ownership and democratic
management of the social means of
production and distribution.
realize that all this cam not be
brought by single stroke by a one
days revolution. But know that all
legislation in order to be really pro-
gressive and wholesome must move in
that direction.
Legislation that does not tend to an
increased measure of control on the part
of society as whole, is not in line
with the trend of economic evolution
and can not last.
Legislation that interferes with the
social evolution of industry means the
taking Of backward steps and can not
succeed.
Legislation that divides nations into
armed camps, that creates useless
navies, that puts up Chinese walls be-.
tween peoples eager to trade with one
another, is reactionary and can not en-
dHre.
The measure now under discussion is
of small Immediate concern to the
working class. In itself it means no
material change in the conditions of
the working man or working woman,
But because it is in line with political
and social evolution, because It. tends
to destroy the old tariff superstition,
because it tends to break down the bar
riers between nations and to bring into
closer relations the various peoples of
the world, I shall support the bill.
[Applause.]
Colloquy with Mr.. Kahn.
Mr. Kahn: Mr.. Chairman, will the
gentleman yield for a question:
Mr.. Berger: Certainly. How much
time have I, Mr.. Chairmanq
The Chairman: The gentleman has
10 minutes remaining.
Mr.. Berger: Then I Shall be glad to
answer questions for 10 minutes.
Mr. Kahn: Did understand the
gentleman to say that the workmen of
this country are worse off than at any
time in the history of the worlds
Mr.. Berger: I did not say anything
Of the kind. I said that the certainty
of employment is smaller under the
capitalist system than under any previ-
GUS system.
Mr.. Kahn: I understood the gentle
man to Say
Mr.. Berger: Oh, no. The gentleman
was not here from the begin
ming Of. my remarks. The wages are
better in this country than in any other
country in the world. said that at
the very beginning of my remarks and
explained why.
Mr. Kahn: Because I know in my
own city of San Francisco the savings
banks have deposits of $3.50 900, 600,
which are the savings of the working
people of that community.
Mr.. Berger: Yes; and I know that
you have had more strikes and more
hell In San Francisco than in any other
city i know Of except Chicago. Laugh
ter and applause.
! Mr. Kahn: Strikesa
Mr.. Berger: Yes; more labor trou-
bles.
4 Mr.. Kahn: San Francisco is today
The best organized labor community in
This country, and the Workingmen there
have had strikes only to the same ex-
tent as they have had them in any other
section.
Mr.. Berger: And a few more.
Mr.. Kahn: But they have been uni-
formly victorious, and at the present |
time we are getting along spfendidly. |
We have not had any serious strikes J
FOR about three years :.
Mr.. Berger: Mr.. Chairman, let me
predict something. I have been in the |
abor and Socialist movement for 81 |
years. The conditions in San Fran |
cisco, which the gentleman from Cali |
fornia paints in such glowing colors,
are the result of quasi-alliance be- |
tween ttbig business and a certain |
5rade- union element, an alliance for |!
where this is going to lead to. It SO
al HAS a13IOuSSHG uOI6 cOFfupt4Ous tHdu |
was ever known in any other city Of |
5he United States.
Mr.. Kahn: The alleged corruption
was under former labor union adj
Mr.. Berger: i am not speaking
about the labor unions I am speaking
about big business using the labor
unions as a political tool. [Applause.l
Single Tax Does Not Help Labor.
7 Mr.. George: Mr.. Chairman
The Chairman: Does the gentleman
from Wisconsin yield to the gentleman
from New York
Mr.. Berger: ] do. Applause.
Mr.. George: Mr.. Chairman, I did
not quite understand the gentleman 3
allusion to me and to Vancouver and to
The strike in Vancouver.
Mr.. Berger: IF the gentleman will
permit, I viii read to you so that you
can formulate your question just right.
I said:
The other day we listened to a
fervid plea for the single tax, delivered
on this floor by the gentleman from
New York Mr. Georgel. He paid par.