The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-03-28
WEST VIRGINIA
TAKES. PART IN
CAPITAL NEWS
Events of Washington, D. c.,
Are Reported by TeIegram's
Correspondent There.

WASHINGTON. March oS.-Con-
gresham Edward Cooper. the baby
member Of the West Virginia delegH-
ton in the House. selected the Bur-
nett immigration bill as the occa-
sion of his debut as a debatcr. 1t
was his maiden speech and was we'll
delivered. II showed studious
thought and preparation. but the
subject az he discussed 1t, tmmigra-
tion and its bearing upon labor. espe-
cially foreign labor as compared with
native American labor In the coal
mines Of West Virginia, Is subject
that the Fifth district representative
has thoroughly personal and prac-
tical knowledge, covering a period
Of thirty years In which he has been
engaged in the mining industry. He
spoke in favor of tho bill. and the
'ltteracy test" provision OF It espe-
cially.
Mr.. Cooper argued. and proved II
by official statistics, that an appalling
majority of mine accidents were
caused by the dense ignorance OF
there were two foreigners killed In
the mines Of West Virginia to every
native born American. '"The for
eignnrs." he declared, who have been
coming to our shores for the last sew
eral years have been the ignorant
and uneducated Of Europe. In an
swer to q question from a colleague,
Mr.. Cooper made the significant
statement: 1t beats down the price
Of labor In this country every time
you bring laborinE man from Eu-
rope" which declaration was loudly
applauded.
Another significant part OF the in
teresting and instructive speech OF
the Fifth district congressman was
that part devoted to an analysis of q
recent statement by Secretary Lane.
In that statement the decreased
number Of mine accidents in 1915
was attributed largely to the govern
ment's safety first work. While not
decryfng this, but approving 1t, Mr..
Cooper said: IT think the main rea-
son for the decrease in the fatal ac-
cidents for the year 1915 has been
caused by the war which Ia now going
on in Europe. and which on August
/, 1914. called back to Europe from
America ignorance to fight in the
trenches and be destroyed there In
stead of being destroyed by ignorance
in the coal mines and Industrial
plants of America" Mr.. Cooper
proved this interesting point with
the latest figures from the census
bureau.
The speech by Congressman Coop
er was a lengthy one, strong In It's
arguments and replete with interest
Ing statistics. 1t will be read mo-
doubt with great interest in his own
district and in other collaborating
counties Of the state especially. The
nth district representative has rea-
son to feel proud over his first
speech, as 1t has brought to him
many cordial and sincere congratu-
lations from his colleagues and
friends.
The immigration question, Il may
be added, was live issue In the
Fifth district when Mr.. Cooper was
running for Congress. The position
he took in his speech on the Burnett
bill Is idenhcally the same position
he took when he was canvassing the
district for election.
The following pension business Is
reported from Congressman NeeIy's
office:
The House committee on pensions
has favorahly reported ON a bill to
increase the pension. OF Mary Peter
man, of Wheeling. from IL to $50
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