The Commonwealth. [volume] (Everett, Wash.) 1911-1914, 1912-08-16
Berger A Busy
Congressman
By National Sodinlist press.l

Washington, d. c. august ia so
calist congressman has no snap. Victor
L. Berger has learned this. When he
first came to Washington the news
papers told the country how Berger
office was daily floodid by requests of
all sorts. But today Berger is signing
for those good old days lie then had a
little time for himsef,and family. 70.
lay he is in office diy and night and
sundays, too.
q see no relief in sisht," says Berger.
The only thing that can help matters
is the election of more socialist congress
men this fall. This job of representing
nearly a million voters is too much for
one man."
Bergers mail contains everything from
requests for his autograph to calling on
the president in behalf Of some oppressed
one somewhere. Persons naming their
babies Victor t." write long and de
tailed letters regarding the health and
general beauty of the youngsters. Old
party voters who fail to get satisfac-
ton from their congressman have no
hesitation in unloading their troubles on
the socialist representative.
There are, of course, requests that are
worthy OF attention. For instance, min
ers employed by the Alabama Consoli
dated Iron and Coal company which is
in the hands of federal receiver, com
plain that they do not get their pay.
The miners have not been paid in weeks.
Some of them have not been paid in
months. They ask Berger to see that
they get their money or else that the
mines be sold at auction.
a letter containing a complaint of this
sort means that Berger must take a
trip to the department of justice The
socialist congressman has a talk with
Wickersham, and the latter says that
Judge Grubb of the Alabama district
will look into the matter.
The same day or the next will bring
an urgent request from socialists that
the police or some other authorities inter
fere with their rights of free speech. OF
course, usually such cases are state mat
tiers and Berger so tells the compliments.
But the other day Berger received
letter telling of assaults upon socialist
speakers by drunken soldiers in a town
in Washington near Port Townsend. The
letter urged federal interference and as
sistance.
This means another trip to the depart
ment. Berger calls on the secretary of
war He learns that the matter will be
investigated. While at the war depart
ment, the socialist congressman asks
that the orgies and debauches of the
militia of Wisconsin and Illinois and the
regular army at the recent maneuvers
at Camp Douglas be investigated And
so it goes.
On returning to his office Berger
picks up bunch of letters just handed
to him by his stenographer to look over
and sign. He hardly begins this work
when three bells" are heard This
means a Call of the house" It is the
duty of every congressman to attend the
house call Immediately when three bells
are heard. Berger goes to the house
which is about four squares from his of
flee although the capitol and the house
office building appear to be very near
each other.
When the socialist congressman arrives
at the house he learns that a parliament
tary tangle is on which must be stright-
ened out before a roll call vote on the