The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-02-21
TERN
FOR VICTOR BERGLER
Socialist Congressman Max
es Long Speech Before
Receiving Sentence.

CHICAGO, Feb. 21.-victor L. Der.
ger, ana the four other Socialists con-
victed OF violating the espionage act,
were each sentenced to twenty years
Imprisonment by Federal Judge K. N.
Landis yesterday after he had over
ruled motions for new trial.
Judge Lands listened patiently for
hours while each OF the defendants de-
livered speeches on socialism and
likened themselves to be political and
moral martyrs Of history. It was their
privilege to say something before SEN
tence was pronounced and each took
full advantage Of the opportunity.
When the last one sat down Judge
Lands pronounced sentence. It was
the maximum. The convicted men
were admitted to bail by Federal
Judge Alschuler late yesterday pend
ing their appeal. Their individual
bonds Of $4,000 each were increased
to $35,o00. William Bross Lloyd, Chi
cago millionaire Socialist, was on hand
to provide surety.
Besides Berger, publisher Of the Nil
waukee Leader, the other convicted
men are:
Rev. Irwin st. John Tucker. lee.
turer.
Adolph German, national secretary
Of the Socialist party.
L. ]. Lewis Engdahl, editor Of the
American Socialist.
William F. Krauz, head Of the Young
Peoples Socialist League.
Judge Lands overruled motions for
q new trial for stay Of execution
and for bail. but granted the filing Of
petition for writ Of error. Coun-
sci for the convicted men then went
before Judge Samuel P. Alschuler, Of
the United States Circuit court Of ap-
peals and asked for bail.
Judge Alschuler granted them bail,
increased from SIC, 900 to $25, 900, with
the understanding that they refrain
from resuming their former acts and
utterances during tendency Of their
case. William Bross Lloyd appeared
and offered to provide surety for the
five, but scheduled only a fourth Of
the amount required. The men were
technically placed in the custody of
the federal marshal and late in the
night their bonds had not been per.
fected.
Berger and his four associates took
full advantage Of the customary in.
quiry Of the Judge whether they had
anything to say before sentence was
passed. The Milwaukee congressman.
elect finished reading his 1000 word
typewritten statement with tears
streaming down his face. He pro.
fessed no surprise at the verdict,
though declaring his conviction was
in violation Of the constitution, and
asserted he would retract nothing he
had said or written.
The war was an imperalistic and
commercial one, Berger declared, "and
over half Of the white race is in a
chaotic state Of revolution out of
which must develop an orderly social
list reign within five years"
The so-called league Of nations is
simply q thin screen behind which the
capitalistic classes of the winning
side are dividing the spoils," said
Berger, who also declared that Amer
icanism is now synonymous with cap.
italism."
Irwin st. John Tucker in his plea
compared himself and the other de-
PENDANTS to Jesus Christ before Pont.
ius Plate.
The wives Of the convicted men
we're in court, but exhibited no visible
signs Of emotion when sentence was
passed. The men themselves, with
the exception Of Engdahl, who appear
ed shocked, received the sentence
stoically.