Norwich bulletin., 1912-03-04
ON VERGE OF BLOWS.
Congressman Berger Insults = Law
renoe Business Man.

Washington, Marcb "A near fight
between Representative Berger, the
socialist member from Wisconsin. and
Robert Mccartney, q clothing mer-
chant. chairman Of the business mems
committee Of Lawrence, Mass, was the
climax yesterday Of the hearing held
by the house rules committee on the
resolution to authorize O federal In
vestigation of strike conditions in the
Massachusetts mill town. Representa-
tive Wilson of Illinois, d memoer OF
the rules committee, stepped in be-
tween the Would-be combatants In
time to prevent actual hostilitles, but
in the mean time Mr.. Berger mad call
ed Mr.. Mccartney an "underling of the
Wool trust" and the latter had re-
scented the refusal of the socialist 10
discuss strike conditions with him.
The Berger Mccartney imJrogli0
came just after the rules COMMITTEES
had adjourned its hearing until Mon
day. The committee room was crowd
ed with labor leaders, spectators and
a large delegation Of striking men,
women and children from Lawrence.
When Chairman Henry announced
pOstponement of the hearing until
Monday, Representative Berger, who
was conducting the examination in be-
half of the shrinking strikers who ap-
peered before the committee, said:
Mr. Chairman, we have no funds
TO keep these children here until Mon
day. Who will pay their hotel bills -
Chairman Henry regretted that there
was no appropriation available Al
this junoture q newspaper correspOn-
dent suggested to Representative Will
son of Pennsylvania. chairman of the
I.1,r hgF he efTrF1 1a
could be raised by passing the hat"
Mr.. Wilson accepted the suggestion,
and several OF the girl strikers began
to move ABOUT the room as the com
mittee adjourned. The hat-passPrE
finally came to Postmaster Lewis s.
Cox and Mr.. Mccartney of Lawrence,
representing that municipality in the
dispute. MIR Cox dropped 81 in the
hat
BLOOD Money" Berger Cries.
Here, shouted MIR. Berger. rusa-
ing toward tbs girl who held the hat,
give that money back. We don't
want it. It's blood money" The girl
returned the money to Mr.. Cox.
What do YOU mean, sir?'' demanded
Mr.. McCertney
Get away from me- l won't talk
to you. II / have anything 70 say to
you IL Will UG NntH udlult you On
the witness stand SECUTED Mir. Ber-
ger, his face red with anger. I'm
representative of the people IL con-
cross. ! refuse to tslk to sucn q man
as you
Mr. Berger started TO walk swsy.
MIR. Mccartney seized the socialist by
the arm and caused him to "aboUt
face
I've got as much money as YOU
have and ! am as good as you ais
saiG air, NJ .Eartney beiligerenQy. i
won't stand for your talll.'
And l wiz not stand for what yos
say said Representative Berger,
shaking his fist in tie lace OF ire
Lawrence business man and moving
up until he was within six inches OF
his antagonist.
In both men seized each other Rep
reseAta;ive Wilson Of the committee.
who had been about TO leave the room,
pushed his bulky form between the
two belllgcrenJs, and warned them
that there must be mo 1ignrng here"
Who Is that man7" asked Mr. Wiz
son.
Il don't knaw, except that he is an
underling Of the Wool trust." Mr..
Berger shouted, amid the general con-
fusion, and we wall have none of his
money for these children"
Mutual friends ed the combatanAa
away as they muInbled dire threats
and scowled at each other.