Jasper County Democrat, Volume 12, Number 39, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 28 August 1909 — STRIKEBREAKER'S SEVERE CHARGE [ARTICLE]

STRIKEBREAKER'S SEVERE CHARGE

Alleges Mistreatment In Steel Gar Company’s Plant. WAS MADE WORK IN KITCHEN Claimed He and 100 Other Workmen Were Brought to Bchoenvllle by False Representation*—Were Given to Understand There Was No Strike and Men Had to Work Against Their Wills—Peonage Charges Possible. Pittsburg, Aug. 27.—The first testimony offered in the federal government investigation into the charges of peonage against officials of the Pressed Steel Car company has commenced. Alexander Friedman of New York was the witness who made the sensational charges. He said he was brought here under a false impression. He .with 100 other workmen were given to understand there was no strike. He said he was In the plant several days before he learned of it. Friedman alleged that the guards handled the men in a rough manner. He stated that he had been at work In the plant a few days w'hen he was asked if he did not want to make some overtime money and when he replied affirmatively he was taken to the kitchen of the commissary of the car plant and told to work there, but refused. He was roughly handled b> the guards, who took him to the boxcar jails. Later he tvas made work in the kitchen without pay. Friedman did not claim he had been forced to stay Inside of the car plant, but said he could point out men who had been compelled to remain at work against their wills. It is now said by those in a position to know that suit on peonage charges will more than likely be filed against minor officials of the car plant.