Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-02-28
ALLEGED VIOLATION OF LAW
ENGLISH SUBJECTS COMPLAINT
AGAINST MINING COMPANY.
Department of Commerce and Labor
Asked to Investigate-Britis
Embassy Informed.

An alleged violation or the alien con-
ton of the Department of Commerce and
Labor this afternoon. The complainant
was James Hawkin. an English sub
ject, who relates rather thrilling story
of his experiences in the mountains
of West Virginia. He claims that he was
induced to leave his home across the At
lantic in company with other young Eng
lishmen by representations that were
made to him by an agent Of a mining
company in West Virginia who visited
England to secure mine workers. The
matter has also been presented to the
British embassy
James 1Iawkin is twenty-seven years
of age, and is of more than ordinary in
teligence. He served as an English sol
der in the war with the Beers in South
Africa. being member OF the North
cumberland Imperial Yeomanry, and is
understood to have made a good record as
a private in that command.
ut was partially the spirit of adven-
ture which was engendered in South
Africa" he said today. (which really in
duced me to come to America on this
wild-goose chase"
Hawkin says he is the son of a pros
porous farmer near Shildon. County Dur
ham, England, and was working at farm
ing when the agent of the mining COM
pany approached him and induced him,
with number of other young English
men, to come to this country. The agent
informed him that he represented a GER
tain mining company in West Virginia,
the name of. which was given to the
officials of the Department of Commerce
and Labor today. The agent promised
Hawkin and the other young men, about
nineteen in all. that they would receive 81
or s. day. but did not say the men
would be required to toll down in the
coal mines.
Accepts the Offer.
Hawkin said the offer looked good" to
him and his companions. and they accept
ed, and in company with the agent came
across the ocean. Reaching the mines.
which he declared are located in a most
barren and forbidding section of the state,
with high and bleak mountains all around.
the officers Of the company Informed the
the men that they would be paid but s.. so
per day provided they worked in the
mines. far below the surface of the
earth. Those who declined to enter the
mines were to receive but $1.75 per day.
Il remained about the mines a month
or so and paid my own board. Then
purchased pistol and made my escape
by travelling over the mountains" Haw-
kin added. Il had to take a rounda bout
trip. as the only approach to the mines
long and narrow gulch-was constantly
guarded to prevent the disconnected
miners, who were practically held in du-
reSS, from escaping
He explained that two Of the young
Englishmen, his compa Mons, who at
tempted to escape by way of the gulch.
were captured at the point of revolvers
by sheriff and man who said he was
the mayor of the little town near the
mines, and marched back They were
confined in shanty Hawkin said, un-
der guard, until they consented to go
back into the mines under the former
conditions. The men who were captured.
he said, were Rod Alder and John
White. These men were also threatened,
Hawkin said, the mayor declaring that
unless they went back into the mines he
would put them at work on the public
roads under an armed guard.
Hawkin gave the names Of the nine
teen men who are alleged to have been
brought to this country in violation, 1t Is
asserted, of the allen immigrant contract
law to the officials of the Department of
Commerce and Labor, and, it is said, an
investigation will follow.
Labor officials to Take Action.
Before going to the department he called
at the Offices of the American Federation
of Labor, 425 G street, and made COM
plant to Mr.. Frank Morrison. secretary
of that organization. 1t was said this
afternoon that the American Federation
Of Labor officials and those of the United
Mine Workers of America will probably
take action in the premises. He also
called at the British embassy and told his
story to one of the attaches. Ambassador
Bryce being absent at the time. The
matter may be taken to the State Depart
ment by the English diplomats, it was
learned.
1t is said to be probable that the De-
partment of Commerce and Labor will
also cause an investigation to be made as
to what extent miners are brought to this
country through the influence of agents
who are sent abroad by some of the big
mining companies.
Hawkin said he had rough experience
coming down to Washington over the
mountains and in the cold and stormy
weather that prevailed. He is trying to
locate some of the members OF the st