The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-09-18
Socialist Congressman Issues
Warning to Democrats.
He Says MunitiOn Factories
Should Be Taken Over.
UNCLE JOE IN Hot DEBATE
He and London Clash Over
Matter of Patriotism.
Sherley of Kentucky Calls n. Y.
Representative.

Washington, Sept. 1S.-"The people
will be confronted at the end of the
war justly or unjustly, with the great
est scandal in the history of this re-
public
This declaration in the house of
representative came as a climax to a
bitter debate of an hour over profits
to which rifle makers are entitled.
Representative Meyer London, New
York Socialist, made the prediction
after he had sat thru a Republican,
Democrat wrangle over giving the
rifle makers per cent on invest
ment, 10 per cent profit and an al
lowance for depreciation.
Chairman Fitzgerald of the appro-
priations committee in charge of the
$3.50, 100000 urgent deficiency bill
tried to shut off debate and push the
bill to passage. He complained that
the house should pay no attention to
scandal mongerss unless the scandal
monSers could make a case. Rumors
should not affect the house, he said.
Rumors Will Not Down.
These idle rumors,'' declared Lon
don, of which the distinguished
chairman has complained, will come
back again and again to poster and
annoy the administration. The diff
Guilty with the situation seems to be
that the business world has inter-
preted the slogan of the president that
profts and patriotism should not be
mentioned together in it's own way
The business world says that wherever
patriotism and profits come in contact
patriotism must give way. Business
exists for profits and the business
men in most cases will be selfish"
Uncle Joe" Cannon interrupted:
Many persons in the country are
engaged in striking for better wages,
many of them engaged in striking Tor
recognition of the union. Does the
gentleman call these persons business
men or patriotic menu"
London answered that the man who
strikes for a living wage cannot be
compared with the man who, making
a million dollars profit, strikes for two
million He then went on to predict
that the government will be forced to
seize and, operate munition plants.
Commander Factories.
IF there are but three factories in
the entire country that can manufac-
ture rifles" he said, 1.-The only solu-
ton is to seize those three factories
and to put their superintendent and
every member of their board of di-
rectors and their foremen and every
worker upon the same basis on which
you put your army in the field. Seize
those factories, take possession of
them and squeeze out the element of
profit. But this is a solution that the
business men, chairmen of the ad-
visory committees, will never suggest,
you may rest assured"
Sherley, of Kentucky, engaged Lon
don in tilt over Communicating la
Dor when communicating property.
London replied he would not COM
mandeer human beings until inspira-
ton and other means had failed Sher-
ley retorted that it was possible to
inspire and persuade organizations
doing work for the government in the
same manner as economically and as
cheaply as ever. This London de-
INJURED.
The people and we who represent
them here" he declared, will be con-
fronted at the end of the war, Justly
or un1ustly, with the greatest scandal