Arizona republican., 1919-11-11
NATION HALL 0WS ARkAISTICE DAY
BERGER, SOCIALIST, TENTED SEAT IN HOUSE
War Opposition Program C0Nses
 Loss of Place
rRepubIIcan A. Leased WIrel

WASHINGTON, Nov. 10.-Victor L. Berger, Milwaukee socialist, was denied his seat in the house today by an over wheiming vote, the house holding he was ineligible for membership because of his open oppisition to war.
 The vote to unseat Berger was 309 to 1, Representative Voight, republican, Wisconsin. being the only member to support the Wisconsin socialist either during the debate or on the roll call.
 After denying the seat to Berger the house declared that the seat was vacant, holding that Joseph P. Carney, democrat who contested Berger's cleo ton did not receive a plurality in the election last year. Without a record vote, the house also directed Speaker Gillett to notify the Wisconsin governor of the vacancy in the state delegation so that a special election may be called to choose new member.
 Consideration of the right of Berger to a seat proceeded amid somewhat of an uproar in the house chambers and with crowded galleries. A detail of capitol police guarded the entrance of the mems gallery. Berger's wife and nephew were in the public gallery until shortly before the roll call, but lDCl 6CA IlinlStht oibCl bNIhCN the chamber and the Hobbies, left just as the vote began.
 The resolution on which the house acted in refusing Berger a seat follows the unanimous report of the elections committee reciting his alleged sedi- tious utterances and disloyal activities during the war, and said:
 Resolved: That under the facts and circumstances of this case, Victor L. Berger is not entitled to take the oath of office as a representative in this house from the Fifth congressional dis trict of the state of Wisconsin or to hold seat therein as such representa- tive"
 Explaining his activities, speeches and articles, but making no defense, Berger attacked the legislative branch or the government and then turned on members of congress whom he called rubber stamps of the administration ''
 This drew from Representative Blan- ton, democrat of Texas, the demand that he confine his remarks to his own activities in connection with the war. Berger charged that his exclusion as member of congress would be cut and dried affair because I am a so eialist and opponent of war and profit eering."
 T take back nothing I said in my speeches and articles" he told the house, and under the same circum- stances I would say and write it all over again, only I would make it a great deal stronger"
 The espionage act under which he was convicted was characterized as an
 infamous measure, passed at the order Of American plutocracy."
 Representative Voigt, republican of Wisconsin, speaking in defense of Ber- ger, declared the house should "permit man, whether a socialist or some other party to express his opinion ? Voight cast the only vote against un- | seating Berger.
 Il believe Berger was railroaded into Jail at Chicago Voight added. 'It was an outrage to try him at the time have no sympathy with the persecu. ton Of such men. I believe that m, men who are in jail as a result of con. | sclentious objection to war ought to bt | released at once"
 | Chairman Dallinger of the specia committee which heard Berger's cass charged that The was ineligible for 2 seat In the house, and it is not onl, the right but the constitutional dut1 or the house to exclude him. Berger, while refused a seat at tb. oeglnning or the present session 1T May has drawn the regular pay of z house member, enjoyed a frankins privilege and maintained an office in the house office building.