Saturday, November 16, 2013

"We have orders not to confiscate any weapons belonging to Americans."

ALIENS' GUNS TAKEN

AMERICANS NOT TOUCHED

Discrimination at McKees Rocks—
New Yorker Charges Peonage.

[By Telegraph to The Tribune]

   Pittsburg. Aug. 26.-A sharp line of distinction between the American citizen and the alien striker at McKees Rocks was drawn to-day by the constabulary under alleged orders from Governor Edwin S. Stuart. The right to keep firearms in the house for protection in the strike zone was extended to the Americans, but refused the foreigners.

   Fifty mounted troopers galloped into a part of Schoenville. which was expecting them this afternoon, and while half stood guard the others went through the houses from cellar to garret. Arms of all sizes and description were found, but were not taken without a fight in many cases.

   "I am a subject of the United States and I protest against weapons being taken from my house in these times of trouble." said one man as he blocked the entrance of the constabulary.

   "Show us that you are an American citizen and we will not search your house." said the leader of the troopers. "We have orders not to confiscate any weapons belonging to Americans."

   The man. who Is a prominent striker, produced his citizenship papers and his house was passed by. Others whose firearms had already been taken proved later that they too were American citizens and their weapons were returned to them with the warning to keep them in the house.

   The first testimony offered in the federal investigation into the charges of peonage against officials of the Pressed Steel Car Company, in which it is alleged, force was used to 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 to work against his will, but this was prevented by the Austro-Hungarlan consular attorney and the Assistant Federal District Attorney.

   All testimony was taken to-day in the form of affidavits. From the first dozen witnesses called, little information upon which to base peonage charges was elicited, the witnesses for the greater part declaring that their food had been bad and their treatment rough, but citing no definite persons as being responsible.

[New-York Tribune, New-York, Friday, August 27, 1909. Vol. LXIX....No. 22,930. Pg. 2]

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