Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-12
CLINCHING CHARGES
Against High'Principals for Import
ing Foreign Blowers.
A WITNESS FROM ACROSS THE SEA.
A knight Who Claims to Have Evidence To
Convict the Men.
TRIAL OF MASTER WORKMAN ROSS.

''The half has never been told" regarding
the importation of the foreign window glass
blowers; and the repeated remarks of labor
leaders, who are guarded in the information
they give out, that something will drop
soon, are very significant. A DISPATCH
reporter was yesterday informed of por-
tion of the news regarding the second halfof
the importation that soon will be
brought out. The persons who brought the
men over are, it is averred, to be punished
according to the penalty provided in the
contract labor law, and some of the witnesses
against them are to be brought here from
across the ocean. The person, or organ:za-
tion, that is to pay the ex penses of the trial
and it will certainly be an expensive one
could not be iden titled for publication as
yet.
The Knights Of Labor. as an organization,
are not investigating thematter; but prom
inent member OF the order, who, since the
Minneapolis General Assembly. and even
as far back as the Richmond Convention,
has been in the anti -Powderly class, is try
ing to work up evidence against Messrs.
Campbell, President of the Window Glass
Workers Association, and james Cham
bers, of Chambers & Mckee.
ONLY AS AN INDIVIDUAL.
In speaking of the matter yesterday he
said be was securing evidence; but that it
was merely personal with him. and that no
one had employed him to do it. He paid
his own travelling expenses, he said, while
in Philadelphia and Washington collecting
evidence. The gentleman did not want his
name psed just yet, but said:
"There is no doubt in my mind but that
tie foreign window glass blowers that ar
rived here recently were imported, and in
direct violation of the contract labor law. 1
have investigated the matter thoroughly, and
am prepared to submit my testimony when
the trial comes up. have been to Phila-
delphia, and was up at Jeannette for
several days. The imported men talked
very freely to me- because they did not
know who was.
81 am prepared to explain the cause Of
the importation. The statements made
within the past few weeks; that there are
not enough window glass blowers in this
country, is not correct, and / can prove
it. A letter was received here recently
from an English blower, stating that he had
been invited to cross the water to secure
job. His reply was: If can obtain work
and maintain my position as union man,
/ will come
AFRAID OF THE CONDITIONS.
''The persons who invited him to come
did not want him under such condition,
and took someone else in his place. The
man has made an affidavit to the statement,
and it is now on its way to this country.
When the trial occurs he will likely be
produced in person to give his testimony.
81 believe that the principals in this case
can be convicted Of violation Of the law,
from the evidence / have gathered; but I
will not make it public now. The penalty
is a fine of 81 900 for each person imported
under contract, and the Captain of the ship
that brought them over will be compelled to
take them all back, free Of charge.
"If the Window Glass Workers Associ-
alton does not accept the proposition of the
Central Trades Council Tor priv 4te in
vestigation, it is an admission OF their
guilt. 1. the investigation is private, there
will be no whitewashing, and the proceed
ings will be published just the same as if
the investigation were public. 1t is said
they will not submit to private investiga-
ton. If they do not, the investigation will
be public enough"
President Campbell is expected home to-
day. He has been on a Western tour among
the factories represented in the organiza-
ton.
A meeting Of the Executive. Board of
the Central Trades Council will be held on
Wednesday evening, to further consider the
matter,