The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-11-21
STILL UNDECIDED.
The imported Gle,s Blower. Defended b
Z. Hcl..I- N MIInlsler.

The imported Glp,s Blowcrs Defended b
&, BclsI II MinlStor.
PiTrspURGn, Pa, Nov 2O.-Immigrant
Inspector Robert D. Layton returned
from New York yesterday, where lie
had been taking evidence against the
alleged imported Belgian elassworkers
He was greatly pleased with the result
OF his work, as he had won every point
made against the glass men. He has
been making Il hard fight, and used
every means possible to establish his
ease, though the evidence was entirely
cIrcumstantial.
Mr.. Layton, in speaking oil the work,
said last evening: 81 arrived at Ellis
Island last Saturday morning, and at
once began taking testimony. This was
continued until Monday evening. As
the steamer Friesland sailed for Europe
Wednesday morning, We wanted to got
n decision rendered and ii possible have
the men returned. But before the re.
suit was known, the Belgian government
took hand and a MESSAGE was received
from tho Belgian minister demanding a
rehearing. Now this is something un.
usual, for minister is never known TO
have interiered in this way before.
You can have some idea OF how much
importance is attached to this case and
how hard was pushing it.
WON THE CASE THREE TIMES.
Meanwhile a verdict had been rem
dered, and | won. But rehearing was
given, and l won again, The case was
then referred to Superintendent Owens
at Washington, and he decided the case
against the Belglans The ship had a.
ready sailed, and tho men are still at
Ellis Island. Not satisfied with having
lost the case three times they appealed
to Secretary Foster, and it is now in his
hands. 1 don't know who will win
next, but am perfectly satisfied with
the progress made so far.
"When do YOU think final verdict
will be reachedW
ut will have to be soon, rs the ex.
pense OF keeping the mon where they
are will have to be borne by the steam
ship company, and they have already
entered protest. Tho government
from the first refused to have anything
to do with them further than having
the law enforced"
where does the importance Of the
present case lie?" was asked. "Just in
the fact that il is a new scheme to evade
the law. | have no direct evidence
against q single manufacturer, but the
evidence brought out some very
peculiar facts. There were so glass
blowers in all, yet each and every one
swore that they were perfect strangers;
had not talked as to their destination
while on board the vessel. and did not
know that they were coming here Tor
common purpose.
LOOKED LIKE A sET-UP jon.
81 produced an affidavit that men on
the ship had coached them before land
ing and, all in all, l think l had very
strong case. More than this, they
knew exactly where they were going
and could get work ut once. 1t looked
like set-up job, but the trouble is to
prove it from circumslantial evidence.
"If these men are allowed to land
trouble with immigrants can be looked
for in the future, as il is an easy way OF
getting contract labor into this country.
All tradeS are concerned in it, and they
should see that such loop in the inn
migration law is not allowed. The
window glass workers are thoroughly
aroused and | must say L. a. 800 has
fought this fight as hard as l."
President John +. Eberhart, OF the
Window glass workers, was seen soon
after arriving from New York. He had
been with MIR. Layton while taking the
testimony at Ellis Island, aud has taken
very active part in the case against
the Belgian glass workers. He said the
case was OF great moment to L. A. 800.
He said it WIS entirely satisfactory to
the association as tar MS it had gone,
and thought the men would be returned
to'the old country, though desperate
effort was being made by the Belgian
government to keep them here. lie
dismissed the case by stating that it
was entirely in the hands OF Inspector
Layton.