The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1888-08-09
TRUTH COMING OUT.
FOREIGN LABoRERs IMpoRTED.
Padroncs Admit the Truth of Dam
aging Evidence Secured by the
Congressional Investigators

The Congressional Committee that Is in
vestigating the immigrant problem struck a
rich mine Mond,y It was proven teyond
doubt that thousands of Ialiaus a~e i'm
ported under contract, and that there Is
little fear of the law PROHIBITING such i'm
portations.
Ling Troje, an Italian money. charger on
First avenue, New York. was the first witt
ness He could not spc TX English, and knew
nothing until Charm IN Ford produced u copy
of an agreement made between the witnes
and man named Philip Smith. The agree>
ment s lid that the witness wa, to furnish
Philip Smith with 800 or 400 newly imported
TIA 'ians to work on n railroad at 81 20a day.
He was to b)ari these men arl allow Phil p
Smith . per cent on all board bills. The
men were - be furnished 10y October /, next.
After acknowledging III, existencs Of sue I,
an agreement the witness was allowed to step
down.
Joseph Sic,, another Italian, whose bust :
ness it is to furnis laborcrs to large np,oy-
ers, testisiel TO n similar contract between
him and Mr.. Smith, TO furnish 2JO la 1orers at
the ime wages, etc. Witness furnished 400
meo to Brown, Howard & CO. in the acque-
duc'. The men received 81 80 per day Wit
ne's put up some shanties, and boarded tn ,
men. His profits acc uI from their b,arl,
He furnished ! 800 men 10 the West Shore
Railroad, and b ardel 800 Of them. The re-
mander male him prescott Of 15 cents each.
The West Shore road paid the witness fixe |
salary of 81 per day.
SPECIAL AGENTS STORY.
George III. Simmons testified that he was a
special agent Of the Treasury Department.
He took the name Of Philip Smith and went
into Little Italy TO look for laborers He
approached the previous witnesses, Troje
and Sica He hal several interviews with
thenL He told them he wanted 400 men
fresh from Italy, of good frame aud he 9th.
Trojc and Sic, told witness they were part
ners and agr, ed to furnish the men at sl.2O
per day. They would land the men Ut Cas-
tie Garden in n couple of months. Under
the name Of Philip Smith the witness elected
from both sica and Troj. the fact that they
had frequently furnished laborers TO large
concerns. Further testimony OF the witness
proved conclusively that the two Italians.
Sica aud Troje, had been engaged for some
time in importing their fellowc wcouutryme1
under contract
Francisco Ironi, clerk In the office Of the
Italian immigration Society, said
that he was aware that some OF
his countrymen We're compelled to ply $40
in order to procure job on the docks. lie
was sure that Italian laborers were imported.
The witness said that Sica, who testifc y
did not state whit was true. The "present'
system was clear case Of blackma.l Every
month, when payday comes, the men are
expected to chip in and present the boss with
substantial purse. Those who refuse to
contribute to the purse are generally without
employment shortly after their refusal
His testimony went to show that very many
OF his countrymen are constantly the victim,
OF sharpers and mid ileman.