New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-08-27
ALIENS GUNS TAKEN
AMERICANS NOT TOUCHED
Discrimination at McKees Rocks
Ne7c Yorker Charges Peonage.
rBv Tel.rr.ph to Tn. Trlbune.I

Rv
Pittsburg Aug GA sharp line or dis'inc.io"
between the American citizen and the alien striker
at McKees Rocks drawn to-day Dy the con-
stabulary under alleged orders from eToVernoi
Edwin S. Stuart The right to keep hrearihs ~
the house for protection in the strike zone was eA-
tended to the Americans but refused the foreign
ers.
Fifty mounted troopers galloped into a part OF
Schoenve. which expecting them TINS AFTER
noon, and while half stood guard the others went
through the houses from cellar to garrett Arms OF
all sizes and description were found. but were not
taken without fight in many cases.
II am subject of the United States and pro-
test against weapons being taken from my house
in these times of trouble said man he
blocked the entrance Of the constabulary.
Show us that you are an American citizen ana
we will not search your house, said the leader or
the troopers. I'VE have orders not TO conhscate
any weapons belonging TO Americans"
Tne man. who is prominent striker. produced
his citizenship papers and his house passed by.
Others whose firearms had already been taken
proved later that they too were American citizens
ana their weapons were returned TO them with the
warning 10 keep them I'm the house
The first testimony offered in the federal En-
Vesugation into the charges of peonage against
offciaIs OF the Pressed Steel Car Company In which
IL Is aHeged. force was used 10 compel imported
workingmen TO work. developed late to-day The
Pressed Steel Car Company's attorney attempted
TO hold the man who testified that he was made
10 work against HIS will. but this was prevented
by the Austro-Hungarian consular attorney and the
Assistant Federal District Attorney.
All testimony taken to-day in the form OF
afidayits From the first dozen witnesses called
little information upon which to base peouaEe
charges ELECTED. the witnesses for the greater
part declaring that their food had been bad and
their treatment rough. but citing no definite per-
sons as being responsible.
FRIEDMAN TELLS HIS STORY.
Alexander Friedman. Hungarian OF New York.
was the witness who made the sensational charges
Of the day. He said he brought here fifteen
DAYS ago with one hundred other men from New
York. He alleged they brought under false
impressions. he said the workmen understood that
there strike at the works OF the Pressed
Steel Car Company. He said he was In the plant
several days before he learned of the strike Fried
man alleged that the car company picked out the
strongest looking imported workmen and made
guards of them. lie testified these guards handled
the men In a rough manner.
Friedman said that after he had been az work
in the plant few days he was asked II he did not
want 10 make some overtime money When no
replied sffirmatively. he was taken to the kitchen
Of the commissary Of the plant and told 20
work there. Friedman said he refused. After so
doing he stated. he roughly handled by the
workmen guards. who took him to the box car
tails Constabulary officers refused to lock him up.
he testified
Friedman said the workmen guards then took
him before company officials who. he asserted.
said they would compel him 20 work In the kitchen.
This they succeeded In doing. according 10 the
witness. who said he told that his pay for tho
hours enforced work would be his supper.
Friedman did not say he had been forced 20 stay
inside 81 the plant. but stated he could point
ont men who had been compelled to remain at
work against their will
The first witness examined to-day was James
Goddfred. Of New York city who asserted he
worked in the car plant six days and then wanted
10 quit. Little attention he said was paid 10 him.
and then he refused 10 do more work lie alleged
that Samuel Cohen head of the company's service
bureau. pointed a revolver at him and said:
You go 20 work there. or viii shoot your head
of"
lie refused. he said. and was then allowed 10
leave the plant.
Cnited states District Attorney Jordan refused
10 comment on to-day's disclosures but It is now
said by those IN position 20 know that suit on
reonage charges Will than likely he fled
against minor officials of the car plant within the
next ten days suit against President Hoffstot is
unlikely according 10 attorneys interested in the
case.
STRIKERS EVICTED IN THE RAIN
The strike zone presented a scene Of desoIs,ior
to-day. In a drizzliug rain families OF strikers on
whom eviction notices had been served were COM
PEELED TO vacate the company houses The evicted
families had other place of refuge in view bur
all OF them We're taken care Of by the strikers
committee and friends 20 the extent allowed by |
their limited means and inadequate facilities
An abandoned one-horse wagon was found by |
some OF the men. After II had been loaded with
household goods two strikers would pull u and |
two more would push from the rear In many
cases the parents and children heavy loads
through the streets 90 a hillside Just outside the
strike district. AS the day went on and the pa
thetic Incidents were more numerous. sympathetic
team owners assisted the strikers
For the FIRST time I'm several weeks absoIuta nuta.
reigned after darkness last night. Not a shot was
fred as has beer the case heretofore and to-day
found similar conditions prevailing. Early to-day
ninety men who arrived here from Chicago were |
taken into the plant About seventy-hve men re- |
Gently brought 10 the works deserted about the |
same time.
general shake-up among minor officials Of the |
company has resulted from the strike, which has !
revealed conditions. II is said. which here
tofore unbelievable by the higher officers