Long Trousers

It is not often that Victor Berger of Wisconsin, sole Socialist in Congress, can praise what his colleagues propose. It is still more seldom that he can gloat over a victory. His vote on any measure is usually given in the spirit of "Well, it's the lesser evil." But last week he voted--on the victorious side--and exclaimed: "This is a Socialist measure for which we have fought for thirty years. I am glad to see we are getting there. It is time to write a new constitution adapted to the twentieth century and not one written in the eighteenth century by men in knee pants." The occasion of his ejaculation was the passage of a resolution to amend the Constitution so that Congress may limit, regulate or prohibit the employment of persons under 18 years of age. Everyone was for the amendment except those who cling firmly to the doctrine of state rights. The latter proposed amendment after amendment, only to be voted down. Those who stood for the "pluribus" were not numerous enough to withstand the unanimity of those who stood for the "unum." A two-thirds vote is necessary to pass this type of resolution. On the final roll call the division was: FOR AGAINST 167 Republicans 13 Republicans 128 Democrats 56 Democrats 1 Independent (Kvale) 1 Socialist (Berger) 297 69 Result: Passed with 53 votes to spare. The advocates of the proposed amendment--including Mr. Berger who claims the credit of it for Socialism--may rejoice over a moral victory, but for the present have little else to hope for. A proposal to set a date for consideration of the resolution in the Senate was promptly blocked. It is probable that the Senate will not consider it this session, or if so, that it will be filibustered to death by a group of Democrats.