The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-09-20
Victor |. Berger
Speaks Before
Large Audience
Socialist Congressman Pleases
CroWd-BOard of Alder.
men is Raped

| BEFORE a crowd eStlmateQ at July
| 100 which filled Eagles hall to its
capacity, Victor L. Berger, Congress
| man from Milwaukee, the first So
cialist ever to hold seat in the Ma
tional Legislature delivered an adj
dress last night In which he outlined
his reasons for believing in Socialism.
The meeting was somewhat of
novelty for a. political gathering in
view of the fact that Is cents admis-
sion was charged. Mr.. Berger proved
himself an interesting talker and
held the deep attention of the big
crowd throughout.
Geo. Waldo, Jr., Socialist candidate
for city clerk. who presided as chair
man, in introducing Jasper McLevy,
candidate for mayor, took a fling at
the Common Council for not carrying
out platform pledges and voting to
lay the question of municipal owner
ship of the electric light plant before
the people.
"The only way the aldermen can
Justify their action he declared, sis
ON the ground that any people who
were so stupid as to elect such men
to the board of aldermen, must OF
course be too stupid to decide whether
or not they should own their own cleo
trio light plant
Before Mr.. Berger was introduced a
short address was made by Jasper
McLevy, Socialist candidate for
mayor.
Mr.. McLevy dwelt mainly upon the
betrayal of party pledges In the past.
He also instanced the failure Of the
board Of aldermen here to act favor
ably on the subject Of municipal own
ership of the electric light plant, and
particularly laid stress on the failure
of the General Assembly to pass a
Workmen's Compensation Act at this
session, despite promises that such
piece of legislation would he enact
ed. ~
Congressman Berger when introduce
ed proved himself witty and force
full talker although not an Orator .
He had so many facts to present and
they were put IN such novel and
interesting way that he was con-
stantly interrupted by bursts of ap-
plause.
Mr.. Berger paid his respects to the
question Of tariff legislation and an
alyzed that situation, declaring that
the tariff has been used as a buga-
boo to frighten workingmen from one
party to another for the past $50
years and the question is still as far
from settled as ever. Mr. Berger
showed his audience how little the
tariff affects the average working
man as compared to other features
of the present day economic system.
He declared that trusts are natural
and logical He said that the big
fish swallow the little fish and then
all the survivors get together and
form a trust
THAT'S great way to protect ev-
erybody on the inside of the trust"
declared Congressman Berger; now
the only way to protect ourselves, is
for all of us to get on the inside of
the trust. Let the government own
the trusts"
Mr.. Berger then outh2ed some. of
the bills he has introduced, such as-the
old age pension, which provides 81
a week pension for the veterans of
industry; the bill to revise the con-
stitution which he claims, was made
when this country was little bit of
nation and now is entirely outgrown,
and many other radical measures
which he has introduced.
At the conclusion of the meeting he |
was loudly applauded and finally was
given three cheers.