Omaha daily bee., 1912-03-04
STRIKE HEARING CAUSES MIX
Berger Refuses Blood Money in
Collection for Expenses.
LIpsoN TELLS OF VIOLENCE
Member OF Lawrence strike Conn.,
mittee Testifies of kiiiiag OF
Woman and OF Inoffen-
si,e Bystandfr.

WASHINGTON. March s.-At the con
elusion for Saturday OF an unusual hear
ing before the house committee on rules
and bills proposing an investigation OF
conditions relating to the strike OF textile
workers at Lawrence, Mass. Representa-
tives Victor Berger Of Wisconsin and
Robert Mccartney OF the citizens COM
mittee OF Lawrence almost came TO blows
and were separated by representative
Wilson OF Illinois.
The rules committee had adjourned the
hearing to be resumed on Monday. neces-
stating the stay in Washington OF women
and children from the Lawrence woolen
mills, who had been sent mere to give
testimony concerning strike conditions.
who is going to pay the expenses Of
these people?" asked Representative
Berger, the socialist member Of the house.
as the committee was about to adjourn.
Collection Taken.
Representative Henry, chairman OF the
committee. declared nothing could be done
by the committee in advance Of an In
yeStigaiion on such a matter, whereupon
Representative Wilson OF Pennsylvania
suggested that a collection be taken to
defray the expenses. Samuel Gompers,
president Of the American Federation OF
Labor. was the first to contribute and
Representative Berger held the hat. Sew
eral Lawrence young women collected the
contributions which came from men and
women In the committee room. When
Lewis $. Cox, the postmaster Of Law
renee. contributed a dollar, Representa-
tive Berger protested.
give him back his money" said Berger
to Miss Josephine Liss, who had collected
II. I'VE don't want any blood money"
Mccartney. who was standing nearby.
Immediately protested against Berger's
lnsinuation. and for several minutes the
committee room was in confusion.
As Miss Llss gave back the money
Representative Wilson Of Illinois, a mem-
Der Of the rules committee, lntervened
between Berger and Mccartney. who were
almost on the verge Of combat. His in
reference in the squabble ended the con-
troyersy and Mccartney and Cox left the
room.
This was the climax TO an exciting ses-
sion Of the committee in which the Law
renee strike conditions were revealed
from several rival sources
In n room crowded si,n spectators.
Samuel LIpson. a member OF the Lawrence
strike committee. testified on the witness
stand Lipson told Of the police grabbing
the children and throwing them into the
patrol wagon and OF shouting at and
clubbing the mothers Of the children when
the police and militia prevented the send
ing away Of children.
Lipson referred 20 the killing Of John
Rzmey. who was bayonetted by the
militia as he stood inoffensively, the wit
ness said. in front Of his own home. He
IL was known he was not even a sympa-
thizer.
THE police started this trouble he
said. We were not striking against the
police or the militia. They started TO
make US move faster when we gathered
in groups on the street and they en-
forced their arguments with the bayo-
nets"
Referring TO the killing of a woman
striker. Anna Iapizo. Lipson was cues
toned:
who Killed her?' asked Chairman
Henry.
our witnesses" said Lipson. swear
they saw Policeman Benoit shoot and
the woman fall. but the police tell a
story"
Weren't two strike leaders. Ettor and