The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-25
Of Charge That Peonage Ex.
lists at McKees Rocks.
SWORN COMPLAINTS.
Prosecutions Will Follow if
Enough Evidence Is Found.
Looks as Though the Strikers
Had Lost Their Fight.

Pittsburg, Aug. 25.-Agents. of the
federal government today will enter
the plant of the Pressed Steel Car
company at McKees Rocks to investf-
gate the charge that peonage has been
practiced there since the beginning OF
the strike of the $500 employees OF
that corporation
Authority to make the Investigation
has been received by John NJ. Jordon,
United States attorney for this dis
trict. Mr.. Jordon explained the situa-
tion to officials of the department of
justice several days ago and requested
that a special secret service agent be
sent here to aid in the investigation.
This was agreed to.
The district attorney states that all
parties directly interested will be al
lowed representa- ton in the investiga-
ton. 1t is possible that officials of
Austro-Hungarian consulate here and
representatives of the strikers will be
asked to accompany the government
agents through the plant and assist in
aSking questions.
District Attorney Jordon said it
would make no difference IL not a
vestige of peonage were found at the
plant now; if it is shown that il exist
ed at any time since the strike began
prosecutions will result.
Today's investigation grows out of
complaints sworn to several days ago
bv Albert Vans. an Austrian of New
York city. that President Frank Hoff-
stot of the Pressed Steel Car company,
and Samuel Cohen, labor organizer.
had been guilty of peonage.
The strike situation at McKees
Rocks has now settled down to the
quiet that prevailed several weeks be
fore the Sunday night riots. It is
generally conceded that from now on
trouble, If any, will be of minor
character and rioting practically is
out of the question
If is further. CnnCa6pn hxy
eral of the strikers executive com
mittee that the idle workmen have
all but lost their cause as the Pressed
Steel Car company is in daily opera
ton now and is increasing the num-
ber of imported workingmen daily
Few desertions of men brought in
from outside cities are reported.
Those discharged at the plant. Il Is
said, are the men who have proved
incompetent.
The county officials have not as yet
received official notice concerning the
finding of three bodies of strikers re-
ported to have been found late yester-
day afternoon hidden away under rail-
road ties. Eye witnesses to the finding
of the bodies declare the men were
taken inside of the car plant stockade
be made
NO additional deaths are reported
The wounded both troopers and strfk-
ers, at the hospitals in McKees Rocks
Every occupant of a car company
house has been ordered to vacate the
premises end today Sheriff Gumberr
will serve notices of eviction on the re-
naming strikers who yet tenant com
pany residences
The Pressed Steel Car company is in
the market for a $4.0O0OO0 fire insurance
policy and the men who look after bust
of that character are doing their best
to provide the corporation with the re-
quired protection. When the policies
are issued they will probably, be over
the names of no less than 200 com
panies and it will be the largest in
surance deal Pittsburg has known in
many years, il, indeed, 1t does not
break the record.
The car company has been carrying
in the neighborhood of 100000 1re in
surance.
Excitement was caused this after
noon by the blowing, of the fire whis-
ties at the Pressed Steel Car plant.
Strikers started toward the mill. The
situation was tense, until IL was learn
ed that the brush on the hill near the
plant was on fire. the constabulary
having ignited it in order to prevent
the concealment of strike sympa-
thizers who have been shooting into
fh0 work from this nnfr1f