Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1919-01-15
VICTOR BERGER AND
FOUR FOUND GUILTY.
U. S. Jury Hits Socialists as Aids
of Enemy.
ALL FACE PRISON SENTENCE
Finding Bars Milwaukee Politician
Publisher From congress-Defend-
ants Released Under $4,000
Bonds Each Pending Mo-
tion for New Trial.

CnlCaSO, Jan. Victor l.. Berger,
Milwaukee politician-publisher. and
the only Socialist elected last fall to
the SiXty-sixth congress. and four 9TH
er national leaders of the Socialist
party. Were found guilty of sedition
and dlsloyalty under the espionage
act by jury in Judge Lands court.
Berger'S conviction bars him from
congress.
Those convicted with Berger for OBJ
structing the nations war program
against Germany and now facing SEN
fences from one to twenty years in a
federal prison, fines from $1,000 to
$4,000, or both, are:
Adolph Germer, national secretary
of the Socialist part.
William f. kruse, national secre-
tary of the Young Peoples Socialist
party-the "Yipsels"
J. Louis Engdahl. editor of the
American Socialist and party leader.
Irwin st. John Tucker, Protestant
Episcopalian rector. former newspa-
per man, and red" propagandist.
Sentence Is Withheld.
The five defendants were released
under $4,000 bonds each pending
hearing of a motion for new trial
on January %. Sentence was with
held by Judge Lands until that time.
The verdict--a sweeping victory for
the government in its fight against the
red flag" and the sedltious propa-
gandists-came as terrific blow TO
the defendants. They had confidently
believed that the five weeks of radical
preaching" given before the jury had
converted" at least one. None, save
Berger. had counted upon an 0cquit-
tai. but all had believed hung
jury" would result.
While out from II a. m until :43
p. M, the jury took but three ballots.
The first stood 10 to for conviction,
the second IL to 1, and the third was
unanimous guilty"
The courtroom was jammed with
Socialists /. w. W., bolshevikI and
every division coming under the red
flag" when the jury made its finding
With all business suspended In the
federal building IN honor of Theodore
Roosevelt during the afternoon. they
had packed the corridors
As soon as Bailiff Joseph Buekner.
In charge of the jury, appeared and
announced verdict n squad of plain
clothes men and deputy marshals took
possession. They scattered through
out the courtroom prepared TO meet
any demonstration. But none &C.
CURED. Even the most radical of the
radicals in that place of justice seemed
stunned.
Berger appeared almost lifeless as
he sat. his huge hulk crunched up In n
chair behind his array Of counsel. He
seemed more deeply moved than the
others, tears streaming down on his
cheeks. He did not look up even when
Joseph O'Sullivan, the court clerk,
pOlled the jury, each member of that
body arising In answer TO his name
and volclng the judgment guilty
Judge lands made no comment on
the verdict, combining himself to mere
Iy thanking the II men for their long
services In the jury box.
Berger Makes Brief Statement.
After the Jurors had filed back to
their room Berger was surrounded by
his wife. two daughters and score of
women. The other defendants nervous
~ wandered about the room while
their counsel were making the usual
formal motions and arranging for their
release on previous bonds. The now
deposed congressman-elect the only
Socialist 10 survive In last fairs cleo
lions and who now also goes into OBJ
liylon. finally aroused himself.
Somewhat shakily, his emotion great
1y accentunting his broad German ac-
cent, he said:
II am completely surprised. am
no more guilty of this crime than the
Judge on the bench. have lived in ac-
cordance with these principles for
81 years, and now | must suffer for
them"
United States Attorney Charles f.
Clyne. who with his first assistant, Jo-
seph b. Fleming. directed the presecu-
ton. declared:
This verdict Is but Americas voice
speaking. II is verdict Of this coun.
try's people. II Is a death-blow TO
which these five advo-
Gated. and TO the red flag This jury
has said that there can be but one
flag in this country, the red. white and
blue, and that those who are not with
this country are against II.
"If ever case Of sedltlon was pre-
scented in courtroom. this was It,
These men left nothing undone to OBJ
struct our government in winning the
war and to aid Germany. There is
no surprise In the verdict. II couldn't
have been any thing else"
f.atnA Dat Fnr Tra.onn