The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-06-02

Charges of Peonage Made BY Negroes
in South Are Found to BE Baseless.
Whites Are Held in Slavery
in Many states
BY wATrERsoN sTEALEy

Washington, June 1.-(special.)-Repre-
nett of New York, subcommittee OF the
immigration commission, which 4inder a
resolution passed by the House two years
ago have been making an investigation
of peonage conditions in the United
States, have about completed their work
and report on the subject of peonage
may be made to the House before the
adjournment of Congress. The resolution
was originally drawn so as to apply only
to the south. but later its scope was en-
larged to include any other sections of
the country from which complaint might
come The passage of the resolution was
demanded by Representative Humphreys
OF Mississippi owing to a report made
by Mro. Mary Quackenbos, an agent of
the depar tment of justice, who depicted
the worst possible conditions as being in
existence in the south. For several
months wide publicity was given the mat
sentative Humphreys finally calling the
matter to the attention of the House.
From what can be learned of the nature
of the report to be submitted to Congress
the south was found to be freer from pc
onage conditions than the north and
west.
In s6dition 1t is claimed that whenever
a case in the south was reported prompt
investigation and prosecution frequently
with conviction was obtained, while in
other sections of the country there is re-
ported to have been noticeable lack on
the part of legal officers in displaying
energy to prosecute.
In their visits to the states of Alabama
and Georgia Messrs. Burnett and Bennett
found nothing to warrant charges of
peonage. On the east coast of Florida,
where Mrs Quackenbos report promised
to warrant fruitful field, the two con-
gressmen failed to obtain evidence to
substantiate charges. In Mississippi near
Greenville, there was some indication Of
peonage, A number of Italians claimed
that they had been irk.slee ss to the char
acter of work they were to do, and upon
arriving from New York were detained
when they expressed dissatisfaction and a
desire to return home. At one farn in
Arkansas 1t was learned that the man
ayers had been In the habit of employ
ing colivicts and prisoners to work, and
in a number of instances held them after
their jail or penitentiary sentences had
expired.
On the western trip Commissioner of
Labor NELL accompanied Mr. Burnett and
bad conditions throughout the larger cities
of the northwest and middle west were
uncovered. In number of cities, notably
Chicago and Milwaukee. 1t was found that
Greek boys were being forciby detained
In bootblack shops, and there were nu-
merous cases of worse forms of peonage
An agent of the commission has also in
vestigated condition in the state of Maine
and reports that In many of the lumber
camps the worst form of slavery exists.
The report will give much interesting in
formation on the subject of peonage.
Official Washington Is discussing with
avidity today the reports that some
body or a number of "somebodies' in
the capital made killing in Wall street
yesterday on advance information as to
the application of the government for re-
straining orders against the western rail-
roads made in Hannibal, Mo. The point
that interests Washington particularly is
who leaked?'
Wickersham, after a long talk with
President Taft at the White House at 10
o'clock in the morning, said that he would
be unable to make any announcement be-
fore tomorrow morning." clearly intimat-
ing that no decision had been reached in
the case. The White House was equally
reticent. Despite these facts it is be-
lieved that Wickersham and the Pres
ident reached conclusion to act at their
morning conference, as Wickersham dsd
not again visit the White House during
the day.
Even though every source of informa-
tion refused to disclose anything concern
ing the attitude of the government until
after 1 O'Clock Wall street was flooded
with selling orders from Washington
from the time the exchange opened.
Somebody knew" and there are sew
eral persons who would like to know who
that somebody was.
These things not infrequent here.
There have been leaks In supreme court
decisions of great Importance, but the big
killings have usually been made in leaks
from conference committees on tariff bills.
Three big Bs-Bailey, Beveridge and
Burton-are threatening the rivers and
harbors bill In the case of Mr.. Bailey
the Natchez river appropriation added
by the Senate was stricken from the
bill by the conference committee. In
the case of Mr.. Burton the extension
for two years of the national wa
terways commission fell by the wayside
when the conferees reached an agree
ment. The commission was expected
to do wonders for the Fort Wayne, Ind.
project and naturally Senator Beveridge
Is also considerably aggrieved. The
other senators, whose items in dispute
were eliminated. have been somewhat
appeased by other appropriations in
tho bill but what Messrs. Bailey, Bur-
ton and Beveridge are planning to do
Is worrying the advocates of the meas
ure. AS there is no limit to the ses-
sion of Congress the bill WILL of
course, be eventually sent to the Pres
ident.
Governor ONeal of Alabama
passed through Washington today en-
route to Annapolis to visit his son,
who Is a midshipman at the academy.
Upon his return to the city he will
be entertained by the members of the
Alabama delegation. Mr.. ONeal has
been at French Lick, Ind.
Miss Margaret Miller, postmaster at
Tuscaloosa, Is In the city to work
for a reappointment She has the in
dorsement of Thompson, but National
Committeeman Barker has declined to
indorse her for another term.
Commander John Hood. who has been
stationed at Annapolis for several
years, has been ordered here for duty.