The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1905-08-05
immigrants WORK IN
SLAVERY ARE SHOT At
Southern immigration Society
is Accused of Compelling
Immigrants to Work.
In a Condition Of Slavery-Of-
ficials Retort That "Testl-
mony is Perjured."


the gravest nature, charging system
worse than slavery, in which 1mmi-
grants were compelled to work in coal
mines at the point Of the pistol and
beaten and shot at when they rebelled.
was heard before Commissioner Keat-
ing yesterday during the investigation
of the counter charges of the Southern
Immigrations Society and S. S.
Schwarz, an employment agent of No.
113 First street.
The immigration Society is an or
ganization with offices at No. IS Wall
street, whose honorary officers, ac-
cording to its letter heads comprise such
notable men as Maj.-General Daniel E.
Sickles, retired; John w. Faxon, of the
First National Bank, Of Chattanooga,
Tenn: Thomas A. Comes, Mayor Of
Lexington, KY; H. J. Steward, owner
of the Chattanooga News, and several
we'll known Southern bankers and
business men.
The testimony which caused a SEN
sation yesterday was given by John
Hotus, newly arrived immigrant,
now living at No. III Broad street,
who, with a number of other labor
ers, was shipped to work in the Coal
City, Ca, coal mines some weeks ago.
RecaIcitra nts Are Shot A."
Hotus startled the Commissioner by
declaring that the overseer in the
mine compelled them to work after
they had realized the true conditions
by shooting at the legs Of the rebellious
ones and beating them numerically
over the heads with guns. The witness
asserted under oath that after work.
ing seven days under terrible condi-
| tions he and sixteen others. among
| whom were two women, finally escaped
by walking out Of the country without
ever having received one cent Of
wages.
Hotus testified that they had been
induced to go to Georgia on the repre-
sentation that the labor conditions were
quiet there, only to learn on the arrival
there, that a strike was on and that
the pay was several dollars lower q
day than had been promised.
Must have been a pious place. re-
marked the Commissioner at the con-
clusion of his story.
The Southern immigration Company
before Inference arose, shaving
deliberately deceived immigrants, while
Schwarz was equally confident that the
blame lies with the Southern Immigra-
ton Society.
The case came before Commissioner
Heating originally on the complaint Of
the Southern immigration Company,
which charged Schwarz with having
made Misrepresentation. He in turn
made complaint that the immigration
Company was conducting a bureau Of
| employment without a license.
Labor Men to coin Issue.
Schwarz scored point yesterday
when Herman Robinson, representative
Of the Federation of Labor. who had
originally been arrayed against him,
asked to be allowed to join issues with
him against the Southern immigration
Company.
Raymond L. Griffis, active president
Of the association. promises even more
sensa tional testimony to-day, when he
will submit an affidavit sworn to by
witnesses who say they have been
bribed.
! THE prominence and character OF
| this association are sufficient proof
that the misrepresentation, if any,
were not made on our side,' he said.