The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-08-23
AIM Recora 81 congressmar Berger.


Correspondent
In a few words this il The rccord of
Victor L. Berger, thc socialist member
of the house of representatives
Forced a corrupt federal Judge to re-
tire from the bench
Compelled the Lawrence lNlass) mill
owners to surrender to their striking en-
ployes.
Secured the admission of four Russian
political refugees who had been detained
by the immigration authorities.
introduced twcnty.four measures re
flcctiug the interests of the working
class
Addressed the house eighteen times on
social, political and industrial subjects
The above is only a brief summary Of
his work in congress. To give in detail
an account of his legislative and other
activities in Washington would fill a
book. From the first day Berger took
his seat until the present time the office
of the first socialist congressman was
probably the busiest of any in the big
marble building which houses the 394
members of the popular branch of con
gress.
Berger's term began March 4, 1911.
His first actual service began on April
4 of the same year. On this date con
gress convened in extraordinary session.
Usually such sessions are not suited for
the bringing out of the best qualities
and the legislative program of an indi-
vidual congressman. But this rule did
not hamper Victor I. Berger.
Of course, the second session of con
gress gave the socialist congressman
much more time and latitude to bring
before the country the message of social
ism. His activities were not limited to
the floor of the house. Berger plead for
the workers in committee rooms, before
the president, at the departments and
through the public press. All seemed
to be eager to give the socialist legislator
a square deal. Some Washingtonians
say this was due to Bergers personality.
Others say that this was due to the fact
that Berger represented, not only the
fifth Wisconsin district but nearly a
million voters throughout the country.
During the first two sessions of the
sixty-second congress Berger introduced
twenty -four measures. Eleven reflected
the party platform five represented the
interests of the toilers, four dealt with
problems peculiar to the District of Co
lumbia, one demanded the recall of the
called for the impeachment of a corrupt
federal Judge, one requested an investiga-
ton of the federal mints, and one rep
resented a local need of Berger's con
stituents.
Following is the list of bills intro
duced by Berger:
Special Session, April 4, to August %,
1911.
April 5-Joint resolution demanding
withdrawal of troops from the Mexican
border.
April lO-UOlllJ IG5OluJlOl III d COhobi7
tutional amendment giving congress the
right to call constitutional convention.
April 25-Concurrent resolution de-
handing an investigation of the kidnap-
ping of John J. Mcnamara.
April 27-Joint resolution for con-
stitutional amendment abolishing the.
senate and the veto power of the presi-
dent and the invalidating powers of the
courts.
May 17-Bill for the erection of a
postoffice in Waukesha, Wis, with such
structural conveniences as will contrib
ute to the safety and comfort of the men
and women to be employed there"
Navy 22-Bill to regulate woman and
child labor in the District of Columbia.
May 3O-Bill revise the interstate ex-
tradition law.
June 8-Bill to transfer the speakers
automobile to the District of Columbia
committee.
July 28-Bill to prohibit employment
of children by the federal government.
July 31-Bill to provide old-age pen
sions.
Regular Session, December 4, 1911, to
August, 1912.
December 4-Bill to repeal the anti
trust act and to provide for the socia
ownership and operation of certain in
dustries
December 2O-Joint resolution for the
termination of the treaty of 1887-1893
between the United States and Russia.
January, 1912-Bill to create a pub
lie store in Washington for civil service
employees
January 16-Joint resolution for
constitutional amendment extending the
suffrage to women.
January 16-House resolution direct