The Birmingham age-herald., 1906-10-23
STRAUSS DENIES
 STORIES OF CRIME
Employees at Lockhart Camp
 are Well Treated
MONTGOMERY FAIR OPENS
Fine Weather and Good Exhibits Promise to Make Fair Big Sue csss-Today Is Called
 Editors Day.

Montgomery, October 22-(special.)-C. T. Strauss of the Jackson Lumber com pany, who is in the city today, makes the statement that his company is in no sense connected with any mistreatment of la borers who have been brought to the south from eastern and northern cities. Some days ago a story was printed Of man named Bolin being here and relat- ing that he was mistreated in lumber camp in or about Loekhart MT. Strauss says that this could not have been so, as his Is the only company in that section, and it has been established that men there are not abused.
 Some days ago this company received 100 Hungarians from a labor agency in New York Their passage cost $1S.50 each, and they were to be paid $1 per day and board or $1.5 per day and board them selves If they did not remain as long as six months their passage was to be taken from their pay, If they remained the half year they were to have their passage paid by the company.
 Shortly after the men came down letter was sent out to the effect that they were not being treated right, and pr. Robert Fletcher of the Hungarian con- sulate in New York, was sent down to investigate He went out into the woods and after talking with the men returned and said that ten of them expressed a desire to leave. and he wanted to take them away He was told that they still owed money on their passage, but if he insisted they would be allowed to go. The doctor said that he had found no reason for the men to complain They were treat ed better than they would receive in their own country, and were in much better condition than if they had been in New York He had found that none of them had been abused and none beaten. The food was good and well cooked and he did not see any reason to make kick.
 However, as the ten men wanted to leave the doctor agreed to pay what they owed and they were taken to Pensacola. aome of them wanted to be taken to New York, having their fare paid and money given them to spend. The doctor told them nothing of the kind would be done. He would take them to Pensacola and give them a days living. and then they would have to hustle. This caused some of them to go back to work, though most of the crowd went to Pensacola
 The doctor found many who expressed desire to be let alone and they are there now in good condition. making money and saving 1t. A hobo came there and stole lot of clothing and was beaten up by those who overlook him. It may be that others have been in fights, but the com pany has dealt fairly with them as the report of Dr. Fletcher will show.
 Fair Opens.
 The Alabama Agricultural Fair opened at noon today, the prelminaries having been begun at 10 o'clock The first day was given over largely to the farmers. leading men of that organization being the speakers. The crowd assembled at the main building and marched to the grand stand where they were officially pro- nounced welcome by President w. F. Vandiver and speeches made.
 The list of speakers included Harvie Jordan, head of the Southern Cotton as- sociation; R. R. Poole. commissioner of agriculture of the state; J. E. Pfnegar, state organizer of the Farmers union; E. D. Smith, financial agent of the Cot ton association; w. w. Screws and oth CTS. The crowd was large and gave close attention to the speakers.
 This afternoon races were pulled off, the pace, trot and running mile dash. The buildings are well filled with exhibits and the fair went well from the jump. All the officers feel that it is a great success and are being congratulated. The trains have brought fin large crowds already. and the hotels and boarding houses are all well filled. The Western of Alabama has a train service every fifteen minutes and the Traction company has a fast schedule over the Pickett Springs line.
 Tomorrow will be editors day. Speeches will be made by Congressman J. T. Heflin and H. s. Doster. and the newspaper men will be here in full force. The weather man is giving a good article of sunshine and the crowds seem to be enjoying it. President Vandiver hoped 1t will keep up.
 Negro Is Held.
 Robert Bryant, big negro, Is in the county jail charged with assault on a little negro girl of years at McGee's switch. The child charges that she was badly hurt and the mother of the ch says that the negro offered her $10 to hush the matter up but she refused to do so
 The Rev. A. M. Snowden, well-known negro preacher of Elmore, is going about organizing the negroes to preserve order and to give over to the law officers the negroes who will not behave. He is going to try to get a large number of the ne- groes to go in and pledge themselves to help in every way to punish criminals. He is meeting with great success.
 The new wagon brilge across the Ala bama river four miles from the city has been finished and opened for travel. It will give the people of the county of FL more quick access to Montgomery