Evening star., 1909-08-29
BLOODY SHIRT is SHOWN
Hearing Closes in Peonage Charges
at Pittsburg.
BATTLE TO REACH THE GATES
Witnesses Exhibit Wounds to Com
merce and Labor Agent-Prize-
fighter a Strike-Breaker.


ing of witnesses in the federal investlga-
ton of the peonage charges at the Press
ed Steel Car Company's plant came to an
end this afternoon after twenty more
workmen had told stories Of cruelty ana
intimidation within the stockade at Nc
kees Rocks. AS a result of the testimony
produced during the afternoon the imml-
grafton bureau was called on by United
States District Attorney Gordon TO tnves-
tigate stories that foreigners had been
brought In for employment at the plant In
violation of the immigration laws The
immigration department is to take up the
investigation Immediately.
During the afternoon, while awaiting
their turn to appear as witnesses. party
of strikebreakers, who escaped from the
plant OF the company yesterday. spied one
of the special company police who are
said to have beaten several of the men,
They went after him and the chase led
down 4th avenue. through the financial
district Several members of the mounted
traffic squad rushed into the group as the
maddened foreigners were giving the spe-
ped the melee.
Hush Money offered.
Evidence was brought out late in the
afternoon that Sam Cohen, boss of the
strikebreakers. had offered one OF the
men 500 "hush money If he would stop
circulating petition among the men to
the company asking for their pay, and
later had doubled the "ante" as an In
ducement to the same man not to testify
before the federal investigation. On ad-
vice of Federal District Attorney Jordan
warrants against Cohen and four members
of the company police on charges of as
sault were issued. 1t will be week be-
fore Hoagland and the government agents
will be ready to make their report on the
peonage charges. They have considerable
personal investigation to do.
One hundred and fifty more men Joined
a rush for freedom from the stockade at
noon today. Several of them appeared
voluntarily as witnesses at the federal in
uuiry later. Fifty more strikebreakers
from Chicago were landed at the plant by
river this afternoon, but 1t is said there
are less than one hundred workmen with
in the stockade tonight. No pretense of
operation was made in the carshops dur
ing the day.
Show Their Wounds.
Witnesses exhibited many wounds dur
ing the days session of the federal hear
ing. One Of them created a stir by offer
ing a blood-stained shirt In evidence.
Frank Clancy, a clean-cut bricklayer
from Chicago. concluded an exciting
story Of the flight Of the men from the
stockade yesterday with the declaration:
I'VE had to fight our way every, step
to the gates. Big Jack Sheppard. as big
as the side of house. tried to stop US,
but we beat him to it
Government Agent Hoagland. who is
conducting the investigation, asked: rs
that Jack Sheppard, the prize fighter,
who was at one time associated with the
Monk Eastman gang at New York;"
Yes, that's the fellow. He has
broken jaw"
There was ripple of excitement in the
courtroom when Martin Hartz, Polish
result of being beaten on the head with a
blackjack Hartz testified with the aid
OF an interpreter that he was beaten be-
cause he asked for his money.
A Touch Of Humor.
There was considerable laughter when
Richard Moorrne, an excitable French
man. took the stand. The Frenchman
was so excited he could hardly talk CO.
herently.
There were two different kinds of
sheriffs." he said. in speaking of the
officers at the plant. Some had two
blacktacks and some revolver extra.
Some had eagles on their badges and
others-well. they had nothing on their
badges"
Witnesses who escaped by leaping over
the stockade late last night told Of being
turned back by armed deputies when
they attempted to walk out of the gate
yesterday.