The daily worker. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1924-1958, 1928-02-18


ers are determined to stick by Bonito
The miners believe that the union Of
ficials and the coal companies aim to
convert the Aggati affair into sec
ond Illinois miners frame-up.
!
Especial to The DAILY WORKER)
WILKESBARRE, Pa, Feb. IT,
We're the bullets which killed Frank
Agati, personal "bodyguard" for
President Cappelini, head of District
/, United Mine Workers of America,
intended for Cappelini himself?
This is the question which was the
principal topic of discussion in mining
circles here today.
Cappelini claims he would have
been in the union headquarters at the
time Agati was killed if it had not
been for another meeting in Hazel
ton. 1t is reported that since the
murder of Thomas Lillis, treasurer
of Local Union Number 6 of Pittston,
for which Cappelini henchmen are
blamed, Cappelini has been sleeping
at local hotel fearing attempted re-
prisals if he were seen near his home.
|
| Especial to The DAILY WORKER)
WILKESBARRE, Pa, Feb. IT,
The attempt of the Lewis-Cappelini
machine to maintain control of Local
/ Union Number of the United Mine
Workers and other Pittston local
unions thru contractors and company
agents has cost two lives already
Miners here expect more killings tc
follow the shooting of Frank Agati
one of President Cappelini's personal
bodyguards, in union headquarters
here yesterday.
Follows Lillis Murder.
1t is not believed by miners here
that Joseph Cicero who was found
after the shootings with his throat
cut was connected in any way with
the conflict which has resulted in the
murder of Thomas Lillis, recently
elected treasurer of Local Union
Number 6 in opposition to the Cap
pelini machine, some three weeks
ago, and the shooting of Agati.
Samuel Bonito, president Of Loca
Union Number 6, is charged with
killing Agati, but has not not yet beer
arrested. Two other miners, Steve
MENDOZA and Adam Moleski, are I'm.
der arrest and are accused Of being
with Bonito when Agati was shot.
! The Terror Campaign.
The murder of Lillis brought the
situation in the Pittston section OF
the union to climax. Lillis, Alex
Campbell and Frank Bonito, sup.
ported by the anti-machine forces il
the union, defeated the Cappelini re-
gime after a bitter struggle. Lillis
was found dead with five AS calibrt
pistol wounds in his body the morn
ing after Local Union Number hat
held a big meeting presided over by
the new officials at which the matter
Of calling a strike to force the com
pany to live up to the contract ha(
been discussed.
Company Control of Union
Progressive miners here charge
that Local Union Number 6, before
the recent elections, was completely
in control of contractors and com
pany agents supported by Cappelini
The Pittston section of the unior
with between 5000 and 10000 mem
bers, was known as President Cap
pelini's stronghold. The membership
is largely Italian and it is charged
that Cappelini was using members o.
certain Italian societies to push wha
the progressives call his united from
with the coal operators"
Changes Legal Adviser
Recent changes in the legal stat,
of District l, the largest district il
the anthracite, seem to indicate tha
Cappelini was preparing for mor'
intensive drive against the rank ant
file opposition in the union.
lawyer named Marianelli, who hac
been practicing in Oklahoma, ant
who had been in charge of the finan
cial affairs of Pete Latzko, well
known prizefighter, was brought t,
Wilkesbarre, quietly admitted to thu
bar association in Pittston and selec
ted to replace one Rosenthal, who hat
been doing the legal work for tn,
three anthracite district, and 8
This procedure caused much com
ment in local labor and political cir
cles. The murder of LilIis took place