The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1894-03-20

Aaron MoSley, general manager of
the Scranton Lics Curtain MSnutac-
turing company. WAS yesterday after
noon given hearing before United
States Commissioner \. J. Colborn, On
the charge Of having violated the pro-
visions OF the contract labor law bY
transporting help from England. H.
was held for appearance before ths
United States district court, J. NJ
kemmerer becoming his bondSman III
the sum of 81. 900
The arrest was made by United
States Marshall John w Walker aud
Detective Anthony Scanlon, nnl tho
case for the goYernmSnt WAS conduct
ed ut the hearing by United States
District Attorney Harry A Hill dis
trlct attorney for tins western district
Of Pennsylvania assisted by Attorney
George NJ Watson, Of this city. Judge
Alfred Hand was tho defendants
counsel.
Tne history OF the case dates back to
over year ago, when Harry Warren.
who crime over from England to work
for tho lacs company, sutered COM
plant against Mr. Mosley. claiming
tnat he was violating ths contract la
Dor law. y warrant WAS isSusd but
never served, investigation convincing
the authorities there was nothing in
the case 4 short tlm3 ago, howavar.
Eigar Gould who came over in lS0?
returned TO Englaud aud made com
plant to the British consul, who re
terred the matter to the proper author
tits a: Washington, through whose
efforts thu arrest of Mr.. Mosley was
finally brought about.
EVIDENCE IN THE CASE
The first witness sworn at the pre-
limlnsry examination yesterday after
neon was Henry Hudson, who came
from Esgland last May He testified
to the agreement he had made with y
Mr. Asnurst to come here and work IN
the lace factory. His passage was paid
for himself and family and he had
agreed 10 the deduction Of 81 week
from his wages until the same should
be paid back. His task was looking
after the boys who place the bobbin
frames in the carriages. 1t is not =
difficult task, ne said, as any ous could
learn to DO 1t in short time. He Is
not skilled workman, bur his wife's
services are Of that character,
Other witnesses were Harry Warren,
Alfred Hunt. Thomas Kluk. Alfred
Beach. Sidney Smith, Allsn Knapp,n,
Frederick Msrrimsu, Roland KirsAAw,
John Sherwood, Mrs Sidney Smith
and Mrs. Edgar Gould, all Of whom,
with the exception OF Sherwood, who
has charge Of the books Of the com
pany, came over from England to work
at the lace factory. There was bat
little variation in their testimony, all
being skilled Iaborers aud their impor
,atiou therefore justihabls under tbs
law.
Mrs Gould, however, testified that
her husoani is baker by trade, while
she is 4 lace menier. He had been
given employment as laOorer in the
bleaching department. but is now IN
England. II was he who complained
TO tue British consul.
WIVES WERE SKILLED EMPLOYEES.
The various witnesses all testified
to the making Of contracts in England
for employment here. Soma made ar'
raugemeuts with Ashurst, some with
| Mr.. Moslsy and some with Mr. Woot.
en-. but as oil we're skilled laborprS ex'
cept Henry Hudson and EIgar Gould,
the governments case hinged on these
two who seemed to have come along as
company for their wives.
| Mr.. MosIey was also sworn. He tss-
tilted that he was compelled 10 go e
England for skilled labor and had acts Z
with discretion and care. doing moth
| ing until assured by the authorities
that be was acting within the provi
sions Of the law. He gave evidences
concerning the number OF silk laC'
manufactures in this Couutry at th'
time the industry was started in this
city and did not seem TO be at all wor
risd over the prosecution.
District Attorney Hall admitted in
his argument that Mr. Mosey had tna
right TO bring skilled workmsn here.
and stated that the employment OF
Henry Hudson and E1gar Gould wa'
the only pig on which TO hang the
governments case. He also hopsd Il
prove that Ashurst WIS the agent o
| Mr.. Mosley and thought the de-
fsndaut snould bs held. Commits
sioner Colborn thsrsupon fixed tn
sum Of $1,000 as Mr. MosleyI bail
aud held the witnesses on their own
recognizances in the sum Of $500 70!
their appearance at the United States
| district court