New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-26
STRIKE INQUIRY BEGUN
CHARGES NOT SUSTAINED.
Nesc Yorker Denies Statements of
Wife-N0 arbitration.
LEY Telegram to The Tribune. ]

PittsburE. Aug 25.-An investigation Of condi-
tons inside the plant cf the Pressed Steel Car
Company at McKees Rocks was begun to-day
by IL c. Hoagland. special agent for the Depart
ment of Justice at Washington assisted by United
States District Attorney John IL Gibson and
Sheriff A c. Gumbert. Of Pittsburg scene not
down the programme was enacted during the
afternoon Within sight of the investigators, is
alleged an armed deputy sheriff assaulted an I'M
armed man. knocking him down and kicking him.
H. Bartus. connected with the Office of Vice
Consul E. T. c. Proeknich. of the Austro-Hun-
garian government here acting interpreter
10 Mr.. Hoagland at the time. Bartus says tonight
he has fled an official protest with his superiors
under the belief that the victim OF the sheriff was
a Hungarian.
Among those examined to-day by Mr. Hoagiand
were Sheriff Gumbert OF Allegheny County; Adolph
Nogei, of New York; w. c. Howell assistant SUI
perintendent of the plant: L. B. Burgoff of New
York, who has charge of the employment bureau
OF the Pressed Steel Car Company there: J. B.
Rider general manager OF the plant. and a
Der OF others Vogel who lives at No. s34 East
Sth street New York. examined especially
carefully. as ii is his wife. Mrs. Gussie vogel,
whose complaint TO the editor of German news
paper helped to start the investigation
She complained that her husband was being de-
tanned here against his will NOgel denied that
he had written his wife that he was unable to get
out of the plant said he told her that he feared
TO try TO leave the plant because of the strikers
Mr.. Hoagland will try to obtain the letter Vogel
wrote 20 his wife.
II is predicted the investigation will extend into
next week According TO unofficial information no
traces of employees being held in the plant against
their wills at any time since the inception of the
strike OF the $500 employees of the plant was shown
to-day.
All the evidence taken by the government in
quisitors was sworn 10. Special Agent Hoagland.
representing the federal government. refused 10
make public the result OF tO-days investigation to-
night. but it is predicted that peonage suit will
lofts tor
of his superintendents
Oscar Pignioll. the Black Hand expert for the
government will reach Pittsburg tomorrow morn
ing from New York 10 assist Mr.. HoagIand in his
investigation. Pigniolll will take charge of ex-
aiming the Italians.
Eugene V Debs made good his threat to speak
before the strikers the Indian Mound to-day
He went to the Mound I'm automobile and
talked for twenty minutes 20 crowd OF two thou
sand persons. while troopers rode around the out
side Mr.. Debs urged the men TO refrain from vio-
lence.
Judge James r. MacFsrane handed down de-
cision to-day. refusing the strikers the right TO
compulsory arbitration OF their differences with the
company. The strikers took their stand under
law passed by the State Legislature in 1898. which
provides for arbitration OF labor disputes after
certain time. but the Court. in an exhaustive opn-
ion. holds the act unconstitutional This was Sc
blow 20 the strikers. who had counted much
forcing the Pressed Steel Car Company 20 arbi-
trate.
The strikers maintained an attitude of sullen-
ness all day while their houses were searched for
rifles by deputies armed with loaded riot guns
No violence manifest. however, and the Sheriff
announced tonight that his search for firearms
had ended.
The entire district continues under strict martial
law Commissary wagons are guarded by troopers
and al streets In the vicinity Of the mill are pa
trolled by armed
Excitement was caused this afternoon by the
blowing of the fire whistles at the car plant
Strikers started toward the mill. while tho troop
made hurried preparations 10 put down any
trouble. The situation tense until u was
learned that the brush the hill near the plant
was afre Later II was said the constabulary had
purposely gnited the brush To prevent the conceal
ment al this point OF strike sympsthisers who have
been shooting into the works.