The Calumet news., 1912-08-13
sTRIKEpOSSID|l|TY DISCUSSED
Some Senators Consider Labor
Affiliations Menace to Gov.
LIVELY DEBATE ON QUESTION

washington, Aug. iS-An attempt
10 amend the postoffice appropriation
bill to prohibit employees from Joining
secret organizations outside the de-
partment was defeated in the Senate
today. 81 TO 20, after a sharp fight,
with the possibility of strike against
the government freely discussed. La
Follette refused TO go further into
his charge his mail was rifed. Off
cials Of the department characterized
the charge as absurd. LaFollette's in
vestigation related to the right of pos
tai employees 10 organize.
When the provision came up. Smith
of South Carolina. claimed fatty that
the postal employees had the right TO
strike. Root and sutherland attack
ed the contention sharply.
"The next step viii be strike of
the military and naval forces and 9th
er government employees declared
Root. The next thing we know we
wii have no government"
Smith replied that the soldiers and
sailors we're held by enlistment con-
tracts.
Does the senator Know what hap
pened to France when the postal and
telegraph employees struck against the
governmnt queried Sutherland.
Il do hot compare the American
people with the effervescent spirit of
the people of France" replied Smith.
Crawford declared Smiths proposal
would give government approval to
the postal employees In sympathetic
strikes. which might menace the gov
eminent service. or of joining some
"dynamiters' organization"
Several senators contended the am
mendment TO prevent the organization
of postal employees was framed di-
rectly to prevent afflistion with the
American Federation of Labor.
The Senote finally agreed to the
House provisions, with two amend
ments by Reed. one to allow the de-
partment to remove employees affiliat-
ed with any outside organization which
imposed an obligation or duty to
strike. or assist I'm a strike against
the government. and the second de-
clares the rights of any individual In
the government service who petitions
Congress, or furnishes informS ton to
committees of Congress. shall not be
interfered with
Interstate Commerce Inquiry.
An iuvestigation of the operations II
The Interstate commerce law was asked
~ a resolution today by Senator Ken
yon. A particular inquiry is asked iE-
TO the commerce commissions progress
I'm devising more practical and equit-
able scheme OF rate making whgt
proof the commission requires in re-
spect to challenges of rates: what bur
dens are imposed upon the public IN
attempting 10 secure relief. the advls-
ability of Congress prescribing maxim
um and minimum rates for low gfadp
freight: what evils arc not reached by
law and what new legislation is
needed.
Democratic Campaign Funds.
Representative Lloyd. chairman of
''iN C-ihottttft ttHBftSStondi
tee OF 1908. today told the Senate com
, Rittee he had no absolute record of his
gonmittee's receipts and expenditures
hat year. but that he had certain re-
'ceipts for s27s.oo0 and expenditures
were si0O less.
Attempt TO Pass Wool Bill.
An attempt 10 pass the compromise
wool bill over Taft's veto begun in the
House TODAY.
Republican Member Unseateo.
Thereon T.. catiin Of Missouri, Re-
publican. was unseated last night as a
membcr of the House of Representa-
ives and his Democratic opponent,
VINO contested the election. Patrick +.
GIL was seated amidst wild enthus-
issm from the Democratic side. The
vote TO unseat Catlin. who was charg-
ed with viciation~of the Missouri law
governing campaign expenses. was
III TO ~. GIN was seated by vote
OF lo' to 10 with 23 voting present.