The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1908-12-18
alleged Peonaae Story the Cause 81
Actlon-Manaaer Of the Hearst syn
dicats Released II the Custody =
His Attorney.

~ Lie &OuClU8IlOu OF ~.
attorney tor the Hearst publishers and
Without any objection being raised on
he part Of the assistant district at
orney, Mr.. Gavin. who had charge
sf the prosecution, Mr. Carvalho was
taroled IL the custody Of his lawyer
until December rs.
Mr.. Rockefeller accompanied BY his
ounsel, Lawyer Murphy, appeared in
District Attorney Jerome's Office early
\ the day and made complaint that
he article published in the New York
American OF December is under Chi
ago date Of December Is with the
headline. ~. y. Rockefeller, Jr.. origi-
aated peonage ii stockade.'' it Is said,
ended to injure his good name. repu-
tation and credit, and to make him ap-
Gear ridiculous.
He submitted 9 typewriter AFFIDAVIT
*mbodying these charges to Assistant
District Attorney Gavin to whom the
t4Se was assigned.
On the presentation Of affidavits to
Magistrate Finn he issued warrants for
The arrest Of Mr.. Carvalho Bradford
Merrill, treasurer, and Edward H.
Clark, secretary OF the Star company.
Mr.. Rockefeller was not present
fhen Mr.. Caryalho was arraigned. as
ae did mot expect. that, the warrants
would be served today. Lawyer
Shearn. after pleading to have Mr.. Car
ralho Daroled In his custody, said MI.
Merrill had not arrived at the Office
when the detective called, hut that he
Ho,ld appear in court tomorrow. MI.
Clark was In California, MI. Shearn
aid.
Mr.. Rockefeller said tonight:
n not only have no connection with
he company In question, but until /
read the articles this morning / was
cot aware that such a company exist
ID. The article states that I went to
Chicago . few months ago and talked
u the system OF peonage complained
1t. Now, as q matter of fact, l have
lot been in Chicago since the death
II President Harper of the Univer-
dty Of Chicago q year ago last Janu-
lry." S
Bradford Merrill, treasurer OF the
Star company explained that the artl-
lie which Mr.. Rockefeller had taken
,fsense had come from Chicago in the
'egular routine report and that it had
not originated in New York and that
q investigation will be started at
NICE.
If we ind that We have wronged
Nj. Rockefeller" said MT. Merrill I'VE
viii, Of purse do everything IN u
sewer to atone for It"
CHICAGO, Dec. 17.-The story Of
a alleged peonage system and stock
ade ut Summit, = town 80 miles from
Chicago, d under Investigation By the
district attorney.
Those who brought the charges say
Aat the stockade surrounding the
plant 10 33 feet high; that workmen
ere practically kept prisoners; that
hey were kept in debt to their EN-
Dloyers. some Of them escaping to tell
heir story only by digging a tunnel
ander the stockade. The officials of
The plant deny the charges, declaring
u to be the result OF spite work. They
assert they have taken such precau-
lions only as will protect them against
labor troubles and against strangers
sntering their premises without au-
shority. a number Of witnesses con-
ierred with the district attorney to-
lay and It Is expected that any action
chat will be taken will be announced
IN q few days.
'