The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1920-01-22
HEARING SOCIALIST EVIDENCE.
Julius Gerber Called Before New York
Legislative Committee.

Albany, n. Y, Jan. 22.--Julius Ger.
Der, secretary OF the New York local OF
the Socialist party, was the first wit.
ness called to-day at the trial before
the Assembly judiciary committee of
the, five suspended Socialist assembly
men charged with disloyalty.
Committee counsel began presenta
tion of evidence after Chairman Louis
M. Martin had denied an application
| by Morris Hillquit, chief counsel for
the defense, to introduce certain "ad-
missions OF fact which he said would
serve to clear the issues and save call
ing of big array Of witnesses. Obiec
tions were taken BY John B. Stanch.
field, committee counsel, on the ground
that his side considered itself able 10
select what evidence il thought neees
sary 60 establish the desired facts,
As soon as Gerber had been sworn,
Mr., StaDchheld obtained from him
copy of the constitutional platform OF
the Socialist party in 1917, which was
introduced in evidence without obiec
tion by the defense
Mr.. -Stanchtield also introduced in
evidence the state constitution of the
Socialist party, from which he read ex-
cerpts, including one providing that
candidates for public Office should on
receiving nomination, leave their resig
nation with the party TO insure their
fulfilling party commands
Bylaws OF the New York county So
cialist organization also were intro
duccd
Mr. Stanciifeld read extracts from
the national constitution of the party
to show that 'any person residing in
the United States, of Is years of age,
aud upwards. without discrimination on
account OF race. sex, color or creed, and
who has severed connection with all
other political parties, shall be eligible
TO membership.
The constitution set forth that the |
consent Of the party organization, state |
or local is necessary for any member of |
the party to hold public office. All per !
sons joining the party must subscribe
to a pledge to be guided in all political 1
action by the constitution and prin
ciples of the party organization.
ANY Socialist voting for any appro
priation for military or naval purposes
shall be expelled from the party, ac-
,ording to the constitution The instru
ment further prescribed that Socialists
slected TO legislative bodies should or
ganize into group separate from all
,ther parties and should always vote
Is a unit.
Mr. Stanchiicld also read from the
'tate Socialist constitution excerpts
showing New York Socialists were gov
'rned by the platform and constitution
# the national organization
The applications of Samuel A. De-
Witt and Samuel Orr, two Of the sus
,endcd assemblymen. were introduced
S exhibits, and Mr.. Hillquit admitted
or his clients that the other three
Members. Charles Solomon, August
ilaessens aud Louis Waldeman, had
igned identical cards.
The card bore ON one side the flaming
orch, which is the Socialist emblem, as ,
tel as the declaration by the applicant 9
hat he recognized the necessity OF or ! /
anization in the struggle between the /
capitalist class and the workers. The :
ther side Of the card contained statis- i
cal information as 10 residence, citi- Z
,nshlp. age, pace OF otflh anu the
ames of the Socialist publications OF r
hich ha was a regular reader. o
Mr.. Stanchfeld drew from Gerber in I
,rnation that the New York Call, :
with the flaming torch, the Socialist G
mblcm. III each corner of the front G
age" was an organ of the Socialist I,
arty in which official news was record. D
l. Gerber said he was secretary OF the b
embership corporation, which pub
she'd the newspaper. and that :. John
loch. state chairman OF the Socialist
,rty aud an attorney for the defense. G
rs another officer.
Cross examination Of Gerber by Mr..
illquit evidently was for the purpose
bringing out that the constitutional u
ID regulator excerpts read by Mr.. "a
anchfield had been in force for II to Ia
years. -
TO Mr.. Hillquits questions u
,rber said he had been a member Of u'
. Socislst Labor party until organi- w
tion Of the Socialist party, Of which 60
since had been member. -