New-York tribune., 1912-03-03
Victor Berger, Wisconsin Social
iSt, and Lawrence Man Sep
arated on Verge of Blows.
FISTS SHAKEN; LIE PASSED
Berger's Charge Of Blood
Money" Violently Resented
House Committee Told of
Conditions in Lawrence.
From TIE Tribune Bureau J


bearing hold r. the House Rules Com
mittce On the resolution TO authorize a
federal investigation Of strike conditions
in the Massachusetts mill town Repre-
sentative Wilson. CT Illinois, member
OF the Rules Committee. stepped between
the would-b be combatants in time to pre-
vent actual hostlities. but in the mean
time Mr.. erger had called Mr.. McCart-
ney an "underlirS of the wool trust
and the latter had resented the refusal
Of the Socialist to discuss strike condi'
tions with him.
The Berger Mccartney imhroSlio came
just after the Rules Cor,mittee had ad-
journed it's hearing until Monday. the
committee room was crowded with laoof
leaders spectators and large delega-
ton Of striking men. women and chill
dren from Lawrence. When Chairman
Henry announced a postponement of the
hearing until Monday. Representative
Berger. who was conducting the exami-
nation on behalf of the shrinking strik-
ers who appeared before the committee.
said;
Mr. Chairman, we have no funds 10
keep these children here until Monday
Who will pay their hotel bills?"
Chairman Henry regretted that there
was no appropriation available. At this
iuncture a newspaper correspondent
suggested to Representative Wilson, or
PENNSYLVANIA, chairman Of the House
Labor Committee, that the funds could
be raised by passing the hat.
Mr. Wilson accepted the suggestion
and several Of the girl strikers began 10
move about the room as the committee
adjourned The hat-passers finally came
to Postmaster Lewis S. Cox and Mr..
MCCARTNEY. Of Lawrence. representing
that municipality in the dispute. MI
Cox dropped 81 in the hat.
BLOOD Money" Berger Cries.
Here" shouted Mr. Berger, rushing
toward INC Eirl who held tf,e hat, give
that money back We don't want 1t. It's
blood money" The girl returned the
money to Mr.. Cox.
What do you mean, sir7' demanded
Mr.. Mccartney.
Get away from me- | won't talk 10
you. II have anything to say 10 you 1t
will he when handle you on the witness
stand" shouted Mr.. Berger. his face red
with anger. I'm a representative OF the
people in Congress. / refuse 10 talk to
such man as YOU"
Mr.. Berger started to walk away. Mr..
Mccartney seized the Socialist by the
arm and cansed him to about face"
"Ive got as much money as you have
and | am as good as you are, said Mr..
Mccartney, belligerently. Il won't stand
for your talk"
And | will not stand for what you
sav." said Representative Berger. shak
ing his fist in the face of the Lawrence
business man and moving up until he was
within six inches of his antagonist.
AS both men seized each other Repre-
Wilson, of the committee, who
had been about TO leave the room, pushed
his bulky form between the two bellig-
erents and warned them that there must
be mo fighting here"
''Who is that man." asked Mr.. Wilson.
Il don't know, except that he is an
underling of the wool trust!' shouted
Mr.. Berger. amid the general confusion,
land we will have none of his money for
these children"
Mutual friends led the combatants
away as they mumbled dire threats and
scowled at each other.
The children of the strike who |
passed the hat among the scores OF spec
tators who had stood all day in the com
mittee room while the strikers related
stories Of alleged oppression at Lawrence
approximately $40 through the
"chin in" process, and the delegation of |
strikers will remain in Washington until |
Monday. Samuel Gompers. president of
the American Federation OF Labor, put |
81 in the hat, and contributions were |
geperaI throughout the committee room. |
Tells Of Scenes in Lawrence.
When Sdmuel blpSOn, d Iicilbcl VI tio |
Lawrence strike committee, was on the |
witness stand Representative Pou, Of
North Carolina. sought to get him To
describe the scene at the station when |
,he nolice and militia prevented children |
tron, being sent away from the city. |
;nson told of the police grabbing the
children and throwing them into patrol
u,aeons and Of shouting and clubbing |
the mothers of the children.
"Did YOU really see the mothers
Pou asked.
mo" the witness replied, but saw
Them showed around.
Iipson referred to the killing OF Jonn
Ramev. who was bayonetted by the
,,ili,ia as he stood inoffensively, the
witness said, in front of his own home.
He said that Ramey was not a striker
"a that II was known that he was not
,,.or svmpathzer. He added that the
e,rike had started seven weeks ago. and
,ho militia were called in Immediately
of,er the mill workers had a little
trouble with the police.
And the police started this trouble
he said. I'VE were not striking against
tho noIice or the militia. They started to
roake us move faster when we gathered
g., crouns on the street, and they en-
forced their arguments with the pay
onet."