Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1918-12-19
Co-Defendant With Socialist
CongresSnan-eIeCt Tells the
Story Of His Life Beginning
With Birth in Germany,
COURT REFUSES TO
DISMISS CHARGES
Germer Claimed His Speeches
in Opposition to War Were
Along Same Lines as Those
of Theodore Roosevelt.

tsY MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wlsEl
Chicago, Dec. 1S,--The govern
ment closed irs case today in the
trial of Congressman-elect Victor l..
Berger of milwaukee, and four other
socialist leaders charged with con-
spiracy to violate the espionage law.
After Judge Lands overruled a mo-
tion to take the case from the jury
and discharge the defendants, the so
cialists began their case by calling
Adolph Germer, general secretary of
the socialist party, one. of the de-
PENDANTS as the first witness.
Counsel for the defense to have
certain government testimony bearing
on the question of conspiracy eXclud
ed from the record Judge Lands
reserved his decision,
Germer did not get much further
than giving his early personal his
tory before court adjourned.
He said he was born in east Prus-
sia Germany, SO years ago and was
brought TO this country by his par
ents in December, 1888, His father
was a coal miner pnd the family set
tied in Braceville, III. Germcr at
tended the public and parochial
schools and then went TO work in the
coal mines.
Delegate to Amsterdam.
In 1912 he was delegate to the
World Conference of Miners held at
Amsterdam Germer said he became
socialist in 1890 by joining the So
cialist democrats party, which later
became the national socialist party.
He said he first met Berger in 1903.
He was elJcted general secretary Of
the national socialist party in 1916.
He described the "details of the
party's organizations at length and
told of John Spargo's reslgning from
the executive committee nfter the st.
Louis convention, in May, 1917, when
the party adopted the proclamation
and war program which caused fac
tional strife in the organization
In closing its case, the government
recalled Arnold Schiller, soldier,
formerly a clerk in the office of the
national socialist party offices in Chi
cago. He gave testimony in regard
TO John r. Pleischmidt, brother in
law of William F. Kruss. a defend
ant who had charge of the making
out of conscientious objectors' affi-
davits at socialist headquarters in
Chicago. The evidence showed that
Bleischmidt registered for the draft
at his home in Jersey City. but disap
reared when called for military duty
and was classed as descrter from the
army.
Paul w. Rothinburg, an employc
of the Illinois state food department.
and Max Burlow. a printer. told of
alleged anti-war sentiments ex-
pressed by Adolph Germer at a meet
ing held in Chicago, August 10, 1917.
which afterward resulted in Germer's
arrest.
Roosevelt Brought In.
w. c. Hanley. formerly chief OF
investigators for the American Pro-
tective League in Chicago. told of
conversation he had with Germer.
when he was brought to the federal
building after his alleged anti-war
sreech on the night of August 10.
1917.
81 asked him said Hanlev. "if he
intended to continue to make such
speeches. He said he expected to
continue to deliver speeches on the
subject. He said he was not the only
person who held those views about
the war. He said Colonel Theodore
roosevelt mas expressed similar optn-
ions in statements published in the
newspapers. | denied the truth of
this statement, and there was consid-
cradle talk about it. Germer said
this country was dragged into the
war to help out England
j. r. Harris, former managing ed
itor of the Milwaukee Leader and at
present with the Milwaukee Journal
was recalled tor further cross exam
ination by the defense. He was
shown an article published in the
Milwaukee Journal in which the
Milwaukee Leader was attacked for
alleged disloyalty.
The article was read to the jury
to show that the witness was at pres
ont employed by a newspaper hostile
10 the Milwaukee Leader of which
Victor l.. Berger, a defendant, Is ed
itor.