Denver labor bulletin., 1917-01-27
ADAMSON ADMITS
HE CAN'T DO IT

CONTINUED From Page One)
trails" who had no technical or prac-
teal knowledge of the railroad indus
try.
Newlands Fighting Windmills.
During the week the senate has had
sensational exhibition of the meth
DDS by which Senator Newlands works
to get his reactionary and pro-rail
road schemes advanced. In this case
he was forced to confess in open ses
sion of the senate that he had vio-
lated the rule of secrecy which sur
rounds executive sessions, and for
which violation the penalty is expul-
sion from the senate. Of course the
conservatives of both parties, and the
Democratic Organization" solidly up
held him. He will not be punished.
What he did was to reveal to Inter
state Commerce Commissioner Dan
iels, whose confirmation for another
term the progressives were bitterly
opposing, the text of a speech made
in secret session against Daniels by
Senator Cummins of Iowa. Daniels,
as a member of the commission, will
use his strong influence against the
workers and in favor of the railroad
corporations if he keeps up to his
long and consistently reactionary
record. Newlands enabled him to
prepare an answer to all arguments
used against him, altho the public
was not permitted to learn and sup
port these arguments until Daniels
had been confirmed.
This sounds technical, but it means
that the railroad influence controls
the United States senate today, and
that the best the labor movement
can get from that body is filibuster
on the part of a stubborn minority
that can kill any particularly raw
scheme such as the compulsory delay
of strikes.
Hoofs and Sabrcs of Cavalry.
The truth about the Swiss system
of military training, as applied to the
workers in that country, has at last
been told. Philip Schaefer, president
of Chicago lodge of the Information
al Association of Machinists, testify
ing before the Chamberlain sub-com-
mittee of the senate committee on
military affairs, ripped the tinsel off
this much advertised democratic"
system, and showed it TO be just an
other method of crushing out strikes
and keeping the workingman in his
place" by use of the hoofs and sabres
of cavalry.
THE Swiss workingman cannot af-
ford to become an officer or to en-
able his son to become an officer"
Schaefer said. When | served my
time in the army of the canton of
Zurich every officer of my division
was of the middle or wealthy class.
One was the son of the richest family
in Switzerland; another owned mill
employing 5000 people. When n
strike came in that mill, the troops
from the country districts were called
out. because they were kept at enmity
with the town wage workers, and
these farmer soldiers smashed the
strikes with violence such as YOU
could expect. Last year a cavalry
regiment, made up of people rich
enough to be able to keep n horse
thruout the year for this purpose, was
sent against peace parade of youn.,
people, and trampled them down Ike
dogs.
Conscription Bill in Disfavor.
"The Swiss soldiers family may
starve while he is compelled to serve
his time. He gets only ten cents u
day in one period of service, and six
teen cents a day in the other. With
that he must provide his own shoes.
socks, underclothing and laundry and
extras. His officers treat him about
as Prussian soldiers are treated, for
the line of wealth, which is the line
of caste, is between them. If he pro-
tests at harsh usage he gets three
days in the dungeon.
"The Swiss army does not save
Switzerland from foreign aggression.
The interests Of surrounding powers
does that. Germany has the men
nearby with which, any day, she could
walk all thru the northern part of the
country. Switzerland's army, if they
defended the mountain Notifications,
would be starved out in n week or
So"
This testimony by man who won
honors for excellent service, seemed
to make an impression upon Senators
Thomas, Brady and Chamberlain,
making up the subcommittee. No
military conscription law for training
purposes will be reported from COM
mittee in either branch of congress at
this session.