Today -100: December 7, 1909: Of white slaves, mud flats, black hands, and employes

Congress is back in session. Rep. James Mann (R-Ill.) introduces a White Slave Traffic Act (yes, the Mann Act). And Rep. William Sulzer (D-NY) introduces a joint resolution directing the Taft admin to demand the “arrest, trial, and punishment of Zelaya by an impartial tribunal in Nicaragua for the willful murder of citizens of the United States, and ample apology from Nicaragua and such damages and reparation as may be just.” Oh, and “to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States, to such an extent as may be necessary,” to establish a responsible republican form of government in Nicaragua.

Not that Taft (who has a cold) is waiting on permission from Congress. 700 marines are finally underway to Central America, possibly to be used in Nicaragua. Their transport ship got stuck in some mud flats in the Delaware River and had to be replaced after they spent a couple of days trying to get it out.

The Italian Black Hand criminal secret society has been recruiting Italians working on the Lötschberg Tunnel in Switzerland for the American branch of the Black Hand, paying for the passage of 40 men.

The first time I saw this I thought it was a misprint, but evidently in 1909 employee was spelled employe.