Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1894-04-09

Yesterdays session Of the Ohio Val
lev Trades and Labor Assembly devel-
oped quite a sensation, and one for
which neither the members Of the AS
sembLy nor the reporters had made any
preparation.
President Robertson occupied the
chair with his usual good nature and
ability and gave no outward indication
of what he had In store. When the rou-
tine business had been disposed OF, he
rose and stated that he had a letter
which he desired to read, and upon
which he would make few comments.
He supplemented this statement with
the remark that he desired all present
to give close attention, and the report
ers especially.
The letter was read first and is as fol-
lows:
WHEELING, w. VA, March 90, 1894.
ohio Val ey TfGd.s and Labor Assembly.
We, the undersigned, take the liberty
TO submit TO the com missioner for con-
tract labor, the following complaint:
During the month OF November, 1891,
there appeared in German trade jour
nal die Ameise-The Art), the follow
ing advertisement:
XAI ANTED-Turners, single men Preferred,
w TO 20 abroad. For particulars inquire at
the Office OF Die Ameise.
We did inquire and were told to adj
dress Mr.. TheurIch, Ohio Valley China
Company, Wheeling, w. Va, which we
also did. We were engaged by that
firm, and they sent us transportation
from Bremen to Baltimore, and also paid
railroad fare to Wheeling. Contract
labor being against the existing law,
that firm has violated the same, for In
all their communications they eau
toned US to keep silence in every re-
spect. When we were examined, how
ever, by the Immigrant inspector, we
told the whole truth, and we were per-
mitted to pass. We beg to state
here that in case there is
proviso in the law, to the effect
that ARTISTS or teachers" in our
line Of trade could be imported, such
proviso does not come within the scope
Of our personal employment, because
we performed no services that could
not have been done just as we'll by
American laborers. and even female
labor. The main object OF the firm was
10 obtain cheap labor. Furthermore,
the workingmeu so imported, at least
majority of them, were not employed
upon that branch OF trade for which
they had been originally imported.
We have called the attention OF the
firm repeatedly TO the non-fultillment OF
the promises, and the consequence
thereof was our discharge. The firm
went even so far, that Notwithstanding
their intention TO dispense with our
services six weeks ago, they kept silent
up 10 this time, when we had to spend
all our savings, when we are helpless,
as nowhere, at this time can work be
found; and other factories In our line Of
trade, declined to give employment TO
imported workingmen in this city.
Under such circumstances 1t is cur de-
sire to return to Germany, and TO that
end we would ask, therefore, the favor
that the commissioner would send an Of
fetal or two for the purpose OF investi-
eating our case. In some instances
workingmen have boon dismissed with
out, or for little cause, and their places
were filed by new imported working
men. We will mention only one instance:
Emile Haehnlain, who was employed
for some years in American factories,
was employed for probationary term,
and had worked for six months, was dis
charged, and his place filled by a work.
ingman recently imported, but (would)
could, II required, report other similar
eases, and we can substantiate our
statements by producing the original
contract letters. The following is a list
OF the imported laborers: Karl GOtz,
Karl Weiss, Emil Book, Mrs. Dankhof,
Herman Kitzig, Frederick Gressler,
Max Uhlworm, August Seel,
julius Schmidt, Frederick Gottschall,
August Volkmer, Wilhelm Franz, Ernst
Goerrvig, Joseph Weiss, aud certain
Mr.. Paine Korn, Richard Gressler, and
Alex. Theurich. Probably imported
are: DR.. Zimmerman, Edmund Theu-
rich, Robert Seel and Ernst Koenig,
Engelhardt and Alboth. The two last
named state that they had met DR.. Zim-
mer at the Worlds Fair in Chicago, but
this is a mere subterfuge, as in all
probability they have been imported
under contract from Schlierbach, Hesse,
bv Chief Artist Beck. After their ar
rival here the former artist Drunken
was discharged, and Engelhardt was
given his place.
Karl Gotz, Karl Weiss. Emil Book and
Wilhelm Book arrived in Baltimore dur
Ing April, 1891, and when Intercepted
as TO their destination, whether or not
they were bound for the Ohio Valley
China Company, of Wheeling, w. Va,
they answered in the negative, and not
withstanding their oath, they arrived
here the day after and went to work; and
the registration of the i'm immigration Office
at Baltimore will prove the truth of our
assertion. The undersigned, Julius
Schmidt and Karl Stephan, had first
been imported for the Ohio Valley China
Company, and landed in Baltimore on
February %, 1892, but they were
returned TO Germany on the following
day. February &C. 1892. Six
weeks. after, however, they were re-
ouested by the same firm, by letter, to
return to America via New York;, as
cabin passengers, and they were in
structed to represent themselves as mer-
chants, in case their business should be
INQUIRED into by the immigration au-
thorities. There was draft for 800
marks in their favor deposited with the
Dresden Bank, Berlin, but Schmidt
started alone for America.
There was some trouble on account
CT imported labor, as early in the fall Of
1000 nm. ,ba dfffarpnces were settled by