The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1913-10-18
WANTS Government
. TO PAY SOCIALISTS
= .sat ,..'.. 49, - f.E...- -, - 81 Il.
Senator Poindexter Would Have
Uncle Sam Settle For
Seattle Riot.
SECRETARY DANIELS
EXPRESSES REGRET
Trouble Participated in by Sailors
Commands Attention of Sen
ate Committee. -

WASHINGTON Oct. 16.-"I have
introduced the bill to compensate the
Socialists of Seattle for the destruc-
ton of their property because I be-
lieve the claim to be a just one,''
said Senator Miles Poindexter to your
corresp ondent today.
Senator Poindexter's bill provides
for the reimbursement. of certain per-
sons and organizations for damage to
and destruction of their property in
the city of Seattle in a riot led and
actively participated in by sailors and
marines of the United States navy.
The bill carries a total appropriation
of $3,ss1.So. ~.
The matter was brought to the
senator's attention by Bruce Rogers.
who made a special trip to Washing
ton to present the claim to congress
on behalf Of the Seattle Socialists
whose property was destroyed.
Supremacy of Law. (5
"The important thing about this
case is the supremacy of the law
said the senator. 1.-The worst thing
that can happen to any country is for
injustice to prevail. If destruction of
property is to be winked at and con-
doned in the case of this mob, Of
course it will lead to retaliation and
the quick result will be reign of
violence and the loss of everything
that we have gained in the slow and
tedious process of building up a
peaceable system of settling diffes-
ences, whether political or otherwise.
Il have carefully examined the
documents in the case," continued the
senator, "and I am convinced that
these claimants suffered the loss of
their property at the hands OF a mob
In which sailors and marines of the
navy were active participants. If the
United States cannot find means to
keep its sailors and nlaffnes from tio-
lent attacks on the property Of peace
able private citizens the government
should stand responsible for their ac-z
ton. Opinions may differ as to the
causes Of the outrage and as to who
had the principal hand in melting this
mob to violence, but that the violence
did occur and that the damage was
actually done is not open to question
Not Against Socialists.
The senator said that the fact that
the people who suffered loss are So
cialists has nothing to do with the
case. <
The question of the political be-
liefs Of those who suffered loss has
nothing to do with the matter" he
said. Their political opinions are,
like their religious beliefs, their own
affair. The single fact that counts is
that they are entitled to protection
of life, liberty and property under the
constitution. For that reason I think
that congress should compensate
them for the damage which was in
flicted upon them.' 49,,
Bruce Rogers, the man who pre-
sented the case to congress and the
navy department, Is we'll satisfied
with the results accomplished.
I'VE are naturally elated over get
ting the bill introduced in the senate
so readily and solely on the merits of
our case," he said. Il felt that our
main difficulty would be in getting
the facts of the Seattle riots known
to congress, and when upon my arriv-
al found a letter from Senator Poin-
dexter inviting me to call and lay the
truth open to him, was surprised
and gratified," he continued
To Recommend Passage.
IF we succeed as we'll before the s
senate committee I feel that they will
recommend the immediate passage of
the bill as an emergency measure"
Mr.. Rogers also called on Secre-
tary of the Navy Daniels and had q
frank talk with him about the matter.
The - ,retary admits frankly that the
matter has caused him much regret
and concern. He has under consid-
GRAFTON Mr.. Rogers request for
report recommending to
congress the Immediate payment of B
the damage claims. Mr.. Rogers also
saw President Wilson who has taken
the matter up with the secretary Of
the navy. <lIc .<- i,siS@s
y Upon completing his work here.
Rogers left for short lecture trip
in New York and New England and
he will then return to Seattle. lectur.
ing en- route ST. Z -j-ats ,.@.l ~