New-York tribune., 1909-09-12
STATE LAWS VIOLATED
attention Of Hughes and Stuart
Called to McKees Rocks Strike.

Washington, Sept. lit wss announced at the
department OF Justice to-day that Wade Ellis.
Acting Attorney General had sent letters to Gov
eraor Hughes OF New York snd Governor Stuart
ot Pennsylvania calling their attention to the
suits OF the investigation NJ the Pressed Steel Car
company strike al McKees Rocks, and submitting
evidence for such action the state authorities
may wish TO take. Nr. Ellis of1cially announces
that 1t does not appear from the report, the eyi
dence taken and all the facts obtained that
prosecution for violation Of the so-caled peonage
law or Of the labor section of the immigration
law or Of any federal statute he sustained, but
that much of the testimony tended 70 show viola
tions of the laws of New York and Pennsylvania.
The letters 10 the governors say that the Depart
ment OF Justice has just completed an investiga-
ton OF the conditions the plant of the Pressed
Steel Car Company: that the investigation was
conducted by the United States Attorney for that
district and by special agents assigned by the At
torney Generals Office. These federal representa-
tves have made their report The Acting Attor-
ney General advises the governors that the evil
dence taken showed that employment agencies had
induced 10 take the places Of the striking en-
ployes without telling the men where they
were going. what the labor conditions were at the
plant or the nature Of the work that they were ex
pected TO do. and without giving them written
contract IN their own language setting out these
things, including the matter Of the wages which
would be paid All these requirements were under
the state laws.
The letters written by Mr.. Ellis are accompanied
Z
The department at McKees Rocks and Pittsburg
The governors are advised that the federal agents
will hold themselves ready 70 assist the state au-
thorties in any prosecution for offences which the
state authorities may find 10 have been committed
in this case. The department advises the governors
that tho licenses Of the employment agencies may
ne revoked. the agencies may be prosecuted or
both.
Another subject called to The attention OF the
state executives was that there were many acts OF
brutality committed at the plant This question.
however Il is pointed ont, is one TO be dealt with
/ by the Pennsylvania authorities.
Charles P Neill Commissioner OF Labor. who
has been investigating conditions at the Pressed
Steel Car Companys plant, returned here to-day
and conferred with Mr.. McHarg. Acting Secretary
of Commerce and Labor. The strike has been set
tied, and Mr. Neill and Mr.. McHarg discussed de-
tails of the work leading UP TO the adjustment OF
the trouble between the plant and its men Mr
Nen will prepare a report the subject.
Saranac Inn. \. t. Sept 11.-Governor Hughes
said this afternoon that he knew nothing of the
alleged violation Of state laws through the en-
ployrnent of strike breakers al Pittsburg by the
Pressed Steel Car Company.
Il know nothing of it was his only comment
when informed Of the report that letter had been
sent TO him by Acting Attorney General Ellis from
SIirRron