SS'
tPII
3T.5 7
THE " PITTSBHRa DISPATCH, THURSDAY, JULY" . 14 1R92.
2
the hotel no doubt keeps many away, and
the committee is just as well satisfied.
Koarinc tho End or the Hearing.
This morning H. C Frick, Superintend
ent Potter, B. W. Herbert and possibly a
few other newspaper men who saw the bat
tle, will be called. Mr. Boatner thought
the examination of these witnesses would
conclude the investigation here. He said
they would follow up the Pinkerton sys
tem, and the Pinkerton men will be sum
moned to Washington to testify there. The
committee hasn't decided whether it will
return to the capital at once, or Tisit other
places.
Chairman Oates is determined to have H.
C Frick tell how much it costs to produce
a ton of steel. He has consulted with his
colleagues on the subject, and they think
the question is fair and pertinent
Colonel Oates is of the opinion
that the committee can compel Chairman
Prick to answer. He says the resolution
under which the committee is acting was
amended, giving them the authority to in
vestigate labor disturbances with reference
to the tariff Mr. Oates thinks the question
about the cost of production has a direct
bearing on this subject, and he will insist
that it be answered
The committee beeanwork at 9:30 o'clock,
although the hour for meeting was 9. It was
too early for the witnesses who had any dis
tance to come, and even too early for a ma
jority ot the members of the committee.
Chairman Oates, looking cool and thought
ful, was in the banquet room at the appoint
ed time, with Mr. Boatner. Mr. Prick and
his attorney, P. C Knox, came in soon after
ward, Mr. Prick carrying a package of docu
ments. Judge Heed slipped in alter the in
vestigation began, but remained only a
short time. President "Weihe and a number
of Amalgamated Association men came in
within ten mmntes, and took seats at one
side.
There were not many spectators during
the day cession, only about two dozen per
sons being present, and most of them being
men summoned as witnesses or interested in
the investigation by reason of their positions
as company or labor officials. There were
only two lady listeners.
The committee having all come in, Judge
Taylor being the last, Judge Oates called
Mr. Frick a;ain to the witness chair. Mr.
Boatner conducted the examination, which,
with unimportant details or repetitions
omitted, was as follows :
Chairman Frick Again Exnmlnftd.
"Tne committee desires to ask some other
questions on the same line as asked last
night. Who furnished the arms for your
uaiaes?"
"They were furnished by Union Supply
Company, and they were delivered to Cap
tain Rodger. "
"Can you tell us where they were ordered
to be sent, when they wore ordered?"
"I cannot tell; 1 think Captain Roagers
can."
"At what time were your arrangements
with the rinkcrtons comp'eted to obtain
thece men!"
"About the first of July, I think. Hav
ing a lors distance telepliono connecting
our Xcir Yoikofllco with our Pittsburg of
fice, we are enabled to talk there at any time
just as nedoln tho city."
"You were advised then by telephone of
yonr ability to set these men?"
"Yes sir."
"Thee men arrived on the fifth of July!"
"Ye-, sir."
"At what time did yon advise tho Pinker
tons that you needed tho men?"
"My letter of June S5 stated that I thought
wo would need them."'
"When did j ou absolutely conclude that
yon needed them?"
M lien the rinkertons Were Ordered.
"About the first of July. JJy letter of
June 25 ordered the men, bat they were
always subject to recall in case they were
not needed. I think tho time we decided
the men should absolutely como forward
was about July L"
"Can yon give tho date on which these
arms were delivered to Captain Rodgers?"
"I cannot."
"Ho j on know this morning whether you
received any reply to jour letter to tho
l"iiikertons of June 25? '
"I ha e examined the files this morning
and can find nothing."
"How do you account for the fact that you
have no reply to that letter?"
"The roply must have been made to our
Xew York .iKCnt to whom I talked that day
over the telephone."
"Is It likely that you by telephone directed
your New York agent to talk i 1th the Pink
crtons?" Altogether likely."
"Can you state whether or not you did, as
a fnct?"
' 1 think I did."
"Are you positive that you received no
letter from the Pinkertons in reply to your
letter of June 25?"
"Xo, I am not. I had some correspondence
with the Pinkertons on other matters. "
"Was yonr contract with the Pinkertons
In regard to these men verbal or not, In re
tard to tho term', tho conditions, under
which the Pinkertons were to furnish these
men?"
In regard to paying them It was verbal."
Jfo Written Agreement Made.
"Was there any written agreement?"
"Xothins except tho letters which passed
between us. Wo had verbal talks with our
agents."
"ily question is this: have yon a written
contract? That may bo evidenced by an
agicemeut signed by both parties. It may
be evidenced by a letter making a proposi
tion and another letter accepting tho uropo
sition." "We have no written agreemont."
"Is there any lettorfrom Pinkertons either
to you or your Xew York house or to any
one leniesentlngyou, accepting the propo
sition made in your letter and giving the
terms upon which they would furnish tho
men desired?"
"Xottony knowledge."
"Then, so far as j ou know, the negotiation
with the Pinkertons and the final agreement
was vernal between you and your Hew York
house and tho Pinkortons?"
"As I stated last night, the amount we
were to piy mem was armngea preliminary
to this letter of the 25th. I had had a talk
verbally wanting to know what their
charges would be."
"How long before the 25th?"
"A few days. That was the only time, so
far as I know, that the question what they
were to get was mentioned."
"With what one of the Pinkertons did this
conversation occur?"
"The conversation I bad was with Captain
Hinde."
"Where did you meet him?"
"In Pittsburg."
Ho is their representative here?"
",o, ho came out here."
Sent for Captain Hlnde.
"At your solicitation?"
"Yes, sir."
"Was that solicitation verbal or in writ
ing?" "I think the request was made through our
agent In Philadelphia."
"What is his name?"
"Mr. Hoffman."
"Cm you fix the date when Captain Hlnde
came here?"
"1 can not. It was a rew days before the
25th of June."
"That might be a week?"
"It might be."
"It certainly was not less than three days
previous, was it?"
"I could not answer that; it would be a
gues.."
"At this conversation were the terms upon
which the men were to be tnrnished agreed
upon between j ou and Mr. Hlnde?"
"Yes, sir. That Is to say, I asked him the
terms and be told me. I was satisfiod."
"Did yon Indicate to him that yon ac
cepted the ternib?"
"I don't think I did, except by finding no
fault with them."
"There was an implied agreement be
tween yon and Mr. Hlnde that the men
wonld bo furrished If you desired them?"
"I think Mr. Hinde had first to report to
Mr. Pinkerton and he would have to de
cide." "Did you receive any communication
either vorbal or othorwise after your talk
with Captain Hlnde?"
"I don't i emomber that I did. I had some
correspond enoe with the Pinkertons on
other matters not pertaining to these watch
men. I have no doubt that Mr. Pinkerton
could furnish all tho corresDondence with
our New York offlco and anything he may
have had with me."
Both rinkertons to Be Examined.
At this stage of the inquiry Chairman
Oates said that the committee expected to
have both the Pinkertons, Robert and
"William, before them.
Mr. Boatner, however, continued asking:
"It Is a matter of some Importance as to
whether yon had any correspondence with
the Pinkertons about these men after your
interview with this aeent and before the
date of the coming of the Tn?"
"It Is likely that we had. Through the
telephone we had frequent conversations."
"Do you remember whether in those con
versations anything was said about the
necessity for providing arms?"
"I do not."
"When was it that tho Pinkertons were
advised that It wonld bo necessary to supply
their mon with arms?"
"I could not tell yon when. That was
probably done bv Mr. Schoonmaker, our
agent In Xew York."
"It was not dono by you?"
"Xot directly; I may have had some com
munication with Mr. Schoonmaker in refer
ence to that."
"What was this communication?"
"I cannot say dlrectlv; I say I may have
had and It Is likely that I did have?"
"The question is. did you have?"
"I have replied to that question, I think."
There then followed a talk between Mr.
Boatner, the Chairman, and other members
of the committee as to whether the witness
had answered tho question. Mr. Prick
finally said:
"So far as I recollect, I think I did have."
Some Clever Verbal Fencing.
There followed several questjons by Mr.
Boatner and answers by Mr. Frick on this
point, which brought out no information
except that both were clever mental fencers.
Mr. Boatner finally asked:
"Have you any reason to doubt the accu
racy or your recollection."
Mr. Frlek replied: "I am a very busy
man."
The examination continued:
"In the employment of these men was It
stipulated that they should be armed?"
"I think not; in fact, I am satisfied it was
not stipulated "
Judge Oates then took up the examina
tion, and asked:
"Aie you prepared this morning to give an
explanation of the sliding scale?"
1 think I am. The object of having a
sliding cale Is to have waxes adjusted to
the market price of the article unon which
the wages are based. With the Homestead
workers for instance, tho wages are based
upon the selling price of steel billets. There
is no limitation upon the advancement of
tho price or the wages, but there has been a
guarantee that the wages should not de
crease, below a certain selling point. A
sliding scale also presents the advantage of
having a scale running over an extendod
period and not subject to adjustment yearly.
In order that you may understand how this
scale operates I w ill give you the sliding
scale worked out for each donartment."
Wages Made by the Workmen.
Chairman Frick then presented a number
of tables showing what each workman
earned per 100 tons in the 119-inch plate
mill, under the agreement signed July 15,
1889. Under that agreement, he said, the
minimum price of steel billets was 25 per
ton. Mr. Frick then explained as follows:
"This table shows that a roller, whoearned
in the plate mill in May, by working 24 days,
receh ed $259 05, belnir paid on a $25 mint
mum at the rati; of $13 21 for each 100 tons.
The next roller, having worked 22 days,
made $278 50. He was paid at the same rate,
but handled more tonnneo. Tho next
woi ked 23 days and made $279 30 At $25 per
ton the roller was paid $13 21. At $25 22 he
would have been raid $13 31 per 100 tons and
so on until we reach $30 billets. At that
price the roller would have been raild slS8t
for each 103 tons. If billots should reach the
price of $40 be would bo paid $21 30 for each
1C0 tons."
Mr. Frick then presented his tables to
the committee, 6howine what each work
man would earn at the various selling price
of billets, quoted in the market, up to ?40
per ton. Mr. Bynum then asked for the
contract between the company and the
Government for the manufacture of armor
plate, and Chairman Frick furnished a
copy of this contract, which was verbally
elucidated by him in his testimony of
Tuesday evening.
IIow Homestead Wages Compare.
In answer to questions by Judge Broder
lck, Mr. Frick said that the wages paid at
Homestead were higher than those paid at
almost any other works in the United
States. He thought they were 40 per cent
higher in almost every particular than the
wages paid in eastern mills.
Judge Brodcrick then asked: "After the
conflict between tho Pinkerton men and
your workmen, did you Join the Sheriff in a
request to the Governor to send troops?"
Mr. Frick replied: "I did not until Sun
day evening last, when I sent tho Governor
a telegram urging the Importance, as I
thought, of his supporting the Sheriff by the
militaiy. That was not In conjunction with
the Sheriff, however. The bheiiff knew
nothing of my telegram."
In answer to questions by Mr. Boatner,
Mr. Frick said the wages paid to the rollers
to whom he had referred were not diverted
bv the payment of money to any helpers.
Mr. Frick also repeated his opinion that
the men would now be able to make higher
wages than they had made under the old
scale when it was signed. In answer to
questions by Mr. Bynum, Mr. Frick said
that the men whose wages he had quoted
worked in some months less than in
others. He thought the agerage num
ber of days the year through was 270.
Mr. Frick was dismissed with a request
that he furnish to the committee's state
ment of the selling price of billets for the
last ten years. He remained an interested
listener during tho remainder of the fore
noon session.
As Seen From the tittle BUT.
Captain William B. Bodgers, of the Time
Coal Company, was then sworn, and gave
his testimony by reading a statement pub
lished in the newspapers of July 11. He
was then asked by Chairman Oates who
sent to him a letter introducing Colonel
Gray as a deputy sheriff, and he replied that
the letter came irom Knox & Heed, the at
torneys for the Carnegie Steel Company.
Captain Bodgers said he had told the law
yers that he did not know Colonel Gray and
that somebody would have to give him a
letter of introduction so that he could get
on the boat.
In answer to questions by Mr. Boatner,
Captain Eodgers said that he did not know,
when the rifles were loaded into the barges,
that they were rifles. They were in boxes
like groceries or drygoods. He thought
they were loaded upon the boat on July 1
or 2, being sent down for the barges from
Mr. Frick. Captain Bodgers said also that
he saw, on July 6, when the Little Bill
came down the river from Port Perry, past
the works, a flat car burning at the Home
stead mills. The rifles in the barges, he
said, were unpacked all the way up from
LockKa'l and were not all unpacked
when the landing was made. He denied
that there was any special prcparatiom of
the barges by sheet iron lining. There was
only the ordinary inch-board lining up the
inside to make a straight face next to the
freight.
The firing. Captain Bodgers said, began
23 minutes before the landing was made at
the mills, w hen the Little Bill and the
barges were a mile and a halt down the
river. He was sure the first firing came
from the shore, and that the first firing by
the Pinkerton men was by revolvers from
the barge nearest the sh'ore, followed by
rifles from the other barge.
Sheriff McCleary on the Stand.
Sheriff "William H. McCleary was called
and was questioned by Judge Oates, who
asked: "Say what you" know of the strike
at Homestead and what efforts, if any, you
made in connection with it as Sheriff"
The Sheriff then proceeded to say that a
week before the outbreak he was notified
by Attorney Knox that there was liable to
be trouble at Homestead. "He told me,"
said Mr. McCleary, "that they were goin
to put 300 watchmen in the works, and
asked me if I could deputize them. He
told me they would be Pinkerton men. I
spoke against having Pinkerton men, and
went to see Mr. Petty, my attorney.
Through him I returned an answer that I
would deputize the men if they were at
tacked in the mill while acting as watch
men. I saidaI should remain the judge of
the time when they should be made deputy
sheriffs. On July 4 the company served
notice on me that they desired protection
of the property."
The Sheriff then detailed the story of his
visit to Homestead on Jul'v 5 in the fore
noon, and the fruitless effort of Deputy
Samuel Cluley and his 11 assistants in the
afternoon, which has been fully described
in The Dispatch. He said that during
his own visit in the forenoon he received
from the Advisory Board no positive assur
ance that the deputies would oe let into the
works, but he thought they would be ad
mitted. He then told of his sending out,
on the day following, 400 notices to Pitts
burg citizens to appear and act as .deputies,
and that only 29 finally responded.
"Did you make any further effort to aug
ment your forces?"
"So, sir, except to try to get the service of
the men whom 1 had served. Every person
Just point blank refused to go."
Called Upon Governor Pattlson.
"What did you do then?,'
"Then I called on the Governor for assist
ance." At this point the Sheriff was asked and
promised to furnish copies of his corre
spondence with Governor Pattison.
The Sheriff said the Homestead commit
tee offered to iurnish from 100 to COO men to
guard the mills, and Mr. Boatner asked,
"Didn't you think that was a safeguard,
that thev would keep everybody out?"
Sheriff McCleary replied, "Yes, I thought
they would, including the owners of the
mill."
In regard to the duties of ex-Sheriff Gray
when he accompanied the Pinkei tons up the
river on the morning of July 6, the Sheriff
said that Colonel Gray was deputized by
him and sent along for the express purpose
of commanding the guards to go away if
their landing provoked a breach of the
peace. -Under no contingency was he au
thorized to swear in the guards as deputy
sheriffs.
Mr. Boatner aBked: "On what gtonnd did
the people here refuse to servo as deputies?"
"The majority of them said thev wore not
going np there and take the chances of
being shot. I think I would have met with
such resistance that I would have Deen un
able to do so."
"You think yon and your posse would
have been killed?"
"I don't say we would have been killed,
but we would have been duven away."
Thought It Was Xo t'se to Try.
"Could you have been dilven away If yon
would not go?"
"I did not get sufficient force that I
thought there was any use In trying."
In answer to questions by Jndge Oates
the Sheriff said that he had insisted upon
the writing of the last sentence of a letter to
Captain Bodgers, in which Captain Bodgers
was informed that ex-Sheriff Gray was to
have control of all action in case of any
trouble.
In answer to questions by Judge Bynum,
Sheriff McCleary said that he had not gone
to Homestead on the day of the riot until
midnight, when he went with a special
train and brought the surrendered Pinker
ton men back to Pittsburg. He said that
he had been asked to do this by President
Weihe of the Amalgamated Association.
Samuel B. Clulev, ex-Sheriff of Alle
gheny county, was then sworn, and told the
story ot his visit to Homestead on July S.
He said that he was informed by the Sheriff
that there was not likely to be any resist
ance to the putting of men into the mill;
but as related in The Dispatch of July 6
they were met by a mob which prevented
their approach to the gates.
Clnley Recognlztd a Sliotgnn.
Mr. Cluley said that no positive resistance
was oftered to him, but that he was told that
no deputy sheriff could go into that mill
alive. Most of the men, he said, were armed
with clubs, but he saw one man affection
ately fondling a shotgun.
This statement by Deputy Cluley, made
in his most serious vein, was received with
laughter by th committee and the auditors.
Captain Bodgers was recalled, and said
wnenthe Little Bill returned down the river
at about 11 o'clock, they saw attempts being
made by the workmen on the shore to set
fire to the barges by pouring oil into the
water and setting fire to it. The wind, he
said, was blowing the wrong direction and
the barges were not ignited. Colonel Gray,
he said, remained during the whole event
on the Little Bill and made no attempt to
tako charge of the guards or direct their
actions.
In answer to questions by Judge
Oates, Captain Bodgers said that six men of
the guards, one of whom died, were wounded
in the first volley, and were conveyed by
the towboat to Port Perry.
Knew Where They Were Going.
Mr. Bvnum asked questions for the pur
pose of discovering whether the Pinkerton
men knew where they were going.
Captain Bodgers said that, on the way up
the river, he heard them freely discussing
Homestead, and asking where it was and
how long it would take to get there. After
the boat was started up the river, he told
the crew of the Little Bill where they were
going, and said that all who did not desire
to go could get off at lock number one.
Four or five men got off at that place.
President William Weihe, of the Amal
gamated Association, was sworn and was
questioned by Judge Oates. He said that
the sliding scale for the Homestead mill
was adopted in 1889, and was based on the
4x4 steel billets, as they were the most
staple article in the market Mr.
AVeihe said that the compromise of 1885, by
which the men accepted the firm's pro
posal of $25, affected most of the men in the
mill. Mr. Weihe explained how the wages
were agreed upon under the sliding scale.
For six months the selling price at the time
of signing prevailed, and at the end of that
time the average price for the six months
prevailed for the next three months.
Prefers Voluntary Arbitration.
Mr. Weihe was asked by several mem
bers to give his opinion concerning the
creation of a compulsory court of arbitra
tion, but he was non-committal. He thought
if the entrance into arbitration were volun
tary that the results might be satisfactory,
but compulsion all the way through he did
not favor, because he had been trained in
the courts of the Amalgamated, whictCde
sired to secure friendly relations between
employer and employe." Mr. Weihe stated
the membership of the association at 25,000.
Being asked about the Homestead situation,
Mr. Weihe confessed his ignorance of the
situation there and said that scale matters
were originally left with the workmen in
each mill,
The President was asked by Judge Taylor
what was the view of the men who inter
fered to prevent the operation of a mill
from which they were locked out; why the
workmen thought they had a right to take
possession of the mill. To this President
Weihe was unable to answer, except that
the Amalgamated Association did not teach
any such a right, and was throughout a
conservative association.
m A Minimum Saves the Market.
Mr. Weihe then went into an explana
tion of the reasons why there should be a
minimum scale. If there were not such a
scale, he said, a big firm could cut and de
moralize tne market, and not only cause a
tcel war, but could reduce the wages of the
workmen to a low limit. Attorney Knox
spoke up and said that the big firms
acknowledged the justice of having a mini
mum scale.
Hugh O'Donnell, leader of the Home
stead strikers, was then called and exam
ined briefly. He passed a clear examina
tion, although warned by Judge Oates that
he need not criminate himself. He told the
story of the lock-out, the organization of
the advisory committee and the repulse of
the Pinkerton men on the morning of July
6. Mr. O'Donnell refused to say that the
brutal assaults on the guards, after they had
surrendered, were made by outsiders. He
thought some were made by women and
men who were related to the wounded men
8:50 P. M.
SATURDAYS
t
Is the latest moment at which small
advertisements will be received at the
- ALLEGHENY BRANCH OFFICE
For Insertion In the
SUNDAY DISPATCH.
On week days the office will remain
open until V r. M. as usual.
in Homestead. Mr. O'Donnell said his
wages as a heater in the 119-inoh plate mill
were about $144 a month, and that the pro-
Sosed scale, if the prioe of billets should go
own to the minimum, $22, would reduce
his pay 12 per cent. Mr. O'Donnell de
clined to answer only one question, and
that was in relation to efforts made to burn
the barges by pouring oil on the water.
At 1:40 o'clock a recess was taken until 4
P. M.
THE BURGESS TESTIFIES.
HE
BELIEVES IX A FAB-REACH1XG
CONSPIRACY.
How It Affected the Pries of Billets De
scribing the Effect of the Carnegie
Scale Colonel Bay Describes the Bat
tle of the Barges,
Burgess McLuckie, who has figured ex
tensively in the newspapers in the last few
days, was the first witness called in the aft
ernoon. He was very severe on the Pink
ertons. His testimony in detail follows
here:
Oates Do you hold any official position in
Homestead?
McLuckie I am Burgess.
Oates How long have you lived there?
A. Five years.
Oates What business are you engaged in?
A. I am a steel worker.
Oates What kind of work do yon dp?
Employed In converting department.
Oatos How long havo you worked in the
Homestead mill?
A. For five years. Went there In May.
Oates Do you belong to the Amalgamated
Association?
A. Yes, sir.
.Oares What wages do you recelvet
A. $2 25 por day.
Oates How much per month?
A. About $55.
Oates Do you know anything abont the
contest between tho men and tho Arm?
A. Yes, a little. Our wages aie based on a
sliding scale.
Oates Do yon know of tho company pre
senting a new scale?
A. Xot of my own knowledge.
O ites Did you hear the testimony of Mr.
Frick?
A. I did not, but these points were In
valued; a change in time or the expiration
of the scale and a reduction of wages.
Oates When were the mills shut down?
A. June 29.
Oates Was it In consequence of tho disa
greement between company and men?
A. It is so understood.
The Fight With the Pinkertons.
Oates Do you know of trouble that oc
curred as a lesult of putting in Pinkerton
guards?
A. I heard of some. Didn't see it.
Oates Were you in the town when the
fight occurred?
A. Yes; I saw the men in town rushing to
tho river. I didn't seo tho conflict.
Gates Any thing else j ou can say In con
nection with tho trouble?
A. I can only say it was a gigantio conspir
acy on tho part of the company to aid and
abet In dopriving the workmen of tholr just
rights. "
Oates That Is your opinion.
A. Yes, based on my observation and tho
preparations mado by IL C. Flick and
others. Throe years ago we had a little
trouble. One hundred and fllty to 200
deputies came theie to tako possession of
the piopeity. The management claimed
they woie afraid their pioperty would bo
destroyed. Denuties came on one train and
went back to Pitt3bnrg on the next one.
Oates hat do you mean by a gigantio
conspiracy?
A. After going to work fully assured that
we had a sate basis upon which we could de
pend, the JMcICinley bill came lnieiluclng.
as j ou will see by examination, tho taiiff
upon that identical aitlcle upon which our
compensation was baod, namoly, billots,
and laised the dnty on other articles such as
beams and structural Iron, and that is
why I say a gigantic conspiracy, assisted bv
vicious legislation, to rob the" woikman of
what they aie justly entitled to, a fair day's
pay for a fair da 's work. What tho depu
ties failed to accomplish, this conspiracy
Many of ths Homes Mortgaged.
Boatnor One witness said to-day that
most of the men at Homestead own their
homes?
A. That is not true. Many are mortgaged.
Boatner Who holds tho mortgages" on
their homes?
A. I couldn't say; I am not In that busi
ness but I understand the Flick comuanv
holds many. I don't know much about
mortgages or the deposits of tho men in
bank. I am a low-priced man.
Boatner Why do the men hate the Pink
ertons so?
A. Can't Bpeak from personal experience.
Our pooplo think they are a horde of cut.
throats, thieves and murderers in the em
ploy of unscrupulous capitalists.
Boatner Do you think no resistance
would have been made by the Homesteaders
to lawful authority?
A. I don't believe our people would have
resisted officers of the law.
Boatner Do you know of any other cases
where the use of Pinkertons caused mur
der. A. I heard they caused murder In tho
coke country.
Tayloi The witness doesn't know per
sonally. Boitner Does the Duqnesne mill produce
billets.
A. Yes, exclusively almost. When the
tariff on billets was cut, this plant was
turned into a billot mill to flood tho market,
and i educe tho price.
Boatner Is this company the largest pro
ducing billets in the country.
A. I couldn't say.
Had Bead the McElnley BUI.
Taylor You have been speaking about
the tariff largely from Information received
from others. Have you stated a fact of your
own knowledge?
A. I havo read the McKlnley bill.
Taylor You think tho reduction on your
line of work was dne to a conspiracy. Does
the reduction of the tariff lednce wages?
A. I don't know.
Taylor The higher the tariff tho better
your wages?
A. Not always. Our wages are based on
a sliding scale, regulated uy the selling
price of billets.
Taylor If all Iron articles had been re
duced, then it wonld have been a moio ex
tended conspiracy?
A. I don't know about that.
Oates You mean that by reducing the
tariff on billets and Increasing tho produc
tion, tho prices dropped.
A. Yes, that is the idea.
Taylor How would the Duqnesne mill
make any money by selling for less than the
market price?
A. The mill Is non-union, and the wages
of tho men can be cut when the firm pleases.
Thero Is nothing to prevent It.
Taylor How can tho firm, for example,
make money selling for $20 instead of $25.
lousavthat they could make thepricoof
billots low, as It would be a small matter in
comparison with other products tho com
pany makes?
A. If they could got the scale low enough,
they could tako all the tariff off. The differ
ence in price between England and America
is $7 per ton. This was a conspiracy of this
company to do by legislation what it failed
with deputies three years ago.
Taylor Who was In tho conspiracy?
A. H. C. Frick and Carnegie, I suppose,
and some others.
Tayloi Congiess must have been In it
too, at least the majority of the last House?
Boatner No doubtabout that. Lauguter.
A Conspiracy That Involves Congress.
Taylor That Is according to yonr side of
the case, Mr. Boatner.
Oates Well, I guess the views of thlscom
mltteoon the tariff can't bo made to agree,
that Is evident from this little controversy
among ouiselves.
Taylor, a little nettled, and turning again
to McLuckie Then this conspiracy yon
speak of would involve Congress, would it?
A. I didn't say so. I am not here to Insult
this committee?
Taylor Who was the Sheriff threo years
ago.
A. McCandless.
Taylor Did he take men to Homestead?
A. Yes, about 300, but they retired by
moral suasion.
Taylor They -were induced to retire Dy
moral suasion, you say. Do you include in
that threats?
A. No, sir.
Taylor The deputies came back and then
the scale was signed, was It?
A. Yes, sir.
Taylor Are the Pinkertons bad men?
A. -Very bad.
Tavlor Are they always the same men?
A. I don't know. .
Taylor It isn't a standing body of men. Is
It?
A. It is an organization owned and oper
ated by unscrupulous capital.
Taylor Then capital differs.
A. Yes; It Is good and bad, as It Is hired.
Taylor You may be right about the Pink
ertons. I have no sympathy for thorn.
A. What I mean is that tho Homestead
affair must not be considered as'a war be
tween labor and capital. These thugs were
employed by a company and paid with
money wrung from the sweat of its men to
put in another set of workmen taking their
places.
Tho Homes of Homestead.
Taylor Were you there when the town
was born?
A. I was at Braddock then. That was
about 12 years ago.
Taylor The town grew up nnder the
works. I noticed the homes of the men
were nice and convenient, above the aver
age. A. Yes. Do you think they are too com
fortable for worklngmcn?
Taylor Not half enough so for any work
man. I mean they looked to me to be above
the average.
A. Thank yon, sir, for that answer.
Taylor To what extent are the houses
mortgaged?
A. I don't know.
Taylor You know there is a bright town
theio. don't you?
A. Yos, sir.
Taylor I hope it will soon be restored
agnln to peace and quiet.
Boatner Aro your wages affected by the
proposed scale?
A. No scale was proposed for my depart
ment. What I complain about is what has
been done in the past.
William Eoberts, ex-Vice President of
the Amalgamated Association and first
helper in the armor plate department, was
the next witness. He is a bright, clear
headed man, and gave his testimony so well
that he was complimented by Colonel Oates
and Judge Taylor. He lives in Pittsburg,
and has worked in Homestead for the last
two years.
Oates Did you help prepare tho scale of
the Amalgamated Association?
IJoberts Yes, as a member of tlie Associa
tion. Last January the firm asked us to
present a scale for our department. We did
so and two weeks later I w as called In by the
firm as I thought to talk over our scale.
Instead, they presented a scale calling for
reductions, and asked me to refer it to the
men. I asked them to explain why they
made such reductions. They declined to
answer for a time, and then Mr. Potter said
the heaters and men likn mranlf had been
making too much money, and would have to
bo cut down. Mvjob was the first reduced
on the list in their scale they did not cut
these men but others who wore not making
so much money.
Oates What wore you paid? and state
how tho scale wonld havo affected you.
How One Worker Xua Affected.
A. My position was first helper, and I was
paid $3 07 per hundred tons with billets at
$2G 50. The new scale proposed to give me
$3 13 per hundred tons. I asked why such a
leduction had been made In my wages.
Potter replied a mistake may have been
made, and In the ultimatum of May 30 it
contained a footnoto putting my wages back
at $3 07. I know u reduction was coming, for
one of the managers said to me last winter,
wait till July comes,' your little gold mine
will be closed up then. I noticed prepaia
tlons going on tor months, llko building the
fence nnd grating tho sewors. I knew It
meant trouble for us, but I said nothlug. If
negotiations had not been broken off so
abruptly by the firm this strike would never
have occurred.
Boatner Do you think if negotiations had
been continued a few days the trouble could
have been averted?
A. Ye, sir.
Oates What Is your nav?
A. I have received as little as S3 cents
per day. 1 seo Sir. Frlok says I was paid $14
in May. That may be tiue, but that is not
my average salary. I havo often waited a
day without pay for steel, and accidents fre
quently knock us out. Tho new scale would
reduce wages about 18 per cent In our de
partment, and when billets go down to $23
theio would bo an additional cut of 8 per
cent.
Oates What Is the labor cost in making a
ton of steel?
A We havo no way to find ont except
from onr scale. Armor plato is rolled
cheaper at Homestead than anywhere in the
world. I asked why reductions wero
wanted. The firm said It was not n question
of tonnage, but pay roll. The firm claims
new machinery has increased production.
It has greatly increased the work of en
gineers and rollcis also. The firm now
wants to reduce engineers 50 cents per day.
Judge Taylor asked what was meant by,
it is not a question of tonnage, but pay roll.
Mr. Boberts replied that Superintendent
Potter evidently wanted to convey the idea
in general that the men were drawing too
much money.
The Workers Who are Reduced.
Bynum What classes of men are affected
most by the reduction?
Roberts Well, for Instance, a man who
makes $2 23 is reduced to St S2, while the
heater who makes $1 31 is not reduced. En
gineers receive even a greater reduction.
Inn claims that improved machinery has
Increased the output. It also Increases la
bor. The men work harder now
tbnn ever before, and still they propose a re
duction like SO per cont, or 1 cent per hour
less than when the mill was first put
In operation.
Bynum My impression was that the re
duction In yonr dopartment was regulated
by the price of billets.
Boberts No, sir. Wo are reduced 18 per
cent regardless of the price of billets. It is
not the high-priced men who are reduced,
as Mr. Frick would have yon believe, but the
engineers and low-priced men geneially.
Their work has been made harder, yet the
linn wants to cut them down.
Oates Do you know anything about the
Pinkertons.
A. Nothing. I would like to give reasons
for objecting to the termination of the scale
in the winter. Their idea Is to starve ns
Into submission at that time. There are
snow birds who won't work in tho summer,
but will Jump in in the winter. We do the
hard work tluough the summor, and in the
winter these loafers take our places, and
then quit In the spring. We havo been ont
of employment four or five months, and are
foi ced to go back at lower wages. Mr. Frick
says It doesn't suit them, as it dlstuibs busi
ness In tho busy season to stop and discuss
wages. To answer this wn would make a
scale with them for ten years or longer. We
couldn't squeeze them, and it would be as
lair for one as the other.
Favors Compulsory Arbitration.
Boatner Did tho association ever sign a
scale expiring in December?
A. Yes, for a rail mill In South Chicago.
That was because the scalo expired in Brad
dock at that time.
Broderick Have you thought of arbitra
tion? Yes. Manufacturers have been protected.
I favor compulsory arbitration under con
tiol of Federal or St ite laws.
Boatner That Is. if the capitalists are pro
tected to tho extent ot 75 per cent, you ought
to have some share of It?
A. Yes.
uoatnei I think so, too. Laughter.
Bynum Where does tho consumer come
in. He gets left. Laughter.
Oates Are you familiar with work in other
lines?
A. Yes; structural mills, for example. I
will tako the 23-lnch mill at Homestead and
compare it with Jones & Laughlins'. The
lattci's rollers receive 70 cents per ton. At
Homestead the same clas3 of workmen aro
paid from 22 to 2J cents per ton.
Oates Does the improved machinery of
Carnegie make work easier?
A. Tho advantage In this case Is with
Jones & Laughlins. Their mill Is more mod
ern and better than Carnegie's 23 inch mill.
Again, plato mill rollers are paid 14 cents per
ton at Homestead, while In other mills they
receive 72 cents per ton.
Oates Is the market tho same for both?
A. Yes. Manufacturers tell mo they get
what Carnegie can't supply.
Oates If tho company could supply the
market, Carnegie would havo the preference,
I suppose?
A. Yes. Whon other mills are Idle In dull
times Carnegie's are running. This is the
result. Tho market price is what Carnegie
makes it. He practically has a monopoly.
Carnegie undersells other people, and when
wo went to see the firm about the Scalo
wo quoted the market price. Mr. Abbott
said their quotations were $2 lower. The
Olivers have always thought their men were
not paid too much. In Carnegie's plate mill
the output Is greater than In any other that
1 know of.
Hollers Make'810 Per Day.
Taylor What does a roller make in Car
negie's? A. Not more than $10 a day. In other mills
theso men make from $23 to $30 per day with
tho same prodnction. '
Bynum How many rollers are employed
In mills?
A. One In Jones & Laughlins', and about
five In Carnegie's at Homestead. There are
three in the plate mill.' These men are held
responsible lor the quality of their work.
Sometimes they have to pay for spoiled
work. It Is hard to find out In a mill who Is
responsible In such cases.
Taylor Where did a man have to pay for
spoiled work?
A. In Wayne Iron Works four years ago, I
saw an Instance. Tho roller was charged
about $S0. B
Taylor Do yon know of other cases?
A. A Jones & Laughlins' man here says It
was done In bis mill.
Taylor I want an answer of your own
knowledge.
A. I don't know, then.
Ex-Sheriff Gray nBxt walked up to the
Continued on Eighth Parjt.
TO VISIT THE PARKS.
Chief BIgelow. the Mayor, Controller and
rark Committee Will Go Oat To-Day
Fpeclal Council Meeting Postponed
The Mayor Still Has Those Options.
Owing to the Homestead trouble the
special meeting of Councils that was billed
to take place early this week has been post
poned. It may be held Saturday, bnt more
likely not until next week. Considerable
business is now ready for the consideration
of the Councilmen.
In addition to what has already been
noted the Public Works Committee met
yesterday afternoon and affirmatively
recommended ordinances for the grading,
paying and curbing ot Baum street, Kate
street, Juliet street, Cabinet alley, Beatty
street, Winterburn avenue and Park ave
nue. Sewers on Hudson alley, Rowan
street, First avenue, Locust street, Fifty
fourth street, Fifty-fifth street, Fifty
seventh street, Berlin alley, Holley alley,
Aurelia street, Frankstown avenue and
Lafayette street. Opening Fitch and Cato
streets and changing the name of John
street to Hal let street
The Committee on Parks, with the
Mayor and Controller, will to-day take ad
vantage of Chief Bigelow's invitation to
drive all over Schenley and Highland
parks. The prime object of the trip is to
give the chief an opportunity of explaining
the necessity for more land purchases. He
thinks that now is the time to buy, arguing
that as the city grows in population more
park land will be needed, Dut eacn year
available property will grow more valu
able, and if the ci'ty wants it it will have to
pay more. The committee will be shown
the properties of Flinn, Fite and Lockbart,
on which the chief secured options re
cently, and the resolutions accepting which
are still in the hands of the Mayor. The
latter, by the way, refuses to say what ac
tion he proposes to take in regard to these
resolutions.
Saved a Woman'a Idle.
Mr. J. E. Thoronghgood, writing from
Georgetown, Del., says: "Two teaspoonsful
of Chamberlain's Colic, Cholera and Di
arrhoea Bemedy saved the life of Mrs. Jane
Thomas, of this place." He also states that
several other very bad cases of bowel com.
plaint there have'been cured by this remedy.
For sale by druggists. mwlhsu
July Clearance Sa'a
Of gauze and Jersey underwear, ladles'
waists, muslin underwear, corsets, gloves,
silk mitts, laces, embroideries, flounclngs,
etc., at special low prices to close re
maining stock, at H. J. Lynoh's, 433 440
Market street. Thssu
Volkabran.
Made from pure malt and hops by Eber
hardt A Ober. The great hob weather drink.
Bottled or la bulk. On tap at all first-class
restaurants and saloons. ttbu
We clean and press a suit of clothes In 12
hours by our new quick process. This Is
done only by Chas. l'leller, the Men's Cloth
ing Cleaner, 443 Smlthneld street, Pittsburg.
100 Federal street, Allegheny. TeLs. 1264 and
3469. ttsu
Saddle horses, trotters and pacers will be
sold at Arnhclm sale Thnrsday, July 14.
BnontB will banish roaches, bedbugs, eta,
from your house forever. 25 cents.
BIBER & EAST0N.
THIN
BLACK GOODS.
All Silk Tissues, Grenadiaos, French
Organdies,. Etc.,
AT LOW PRICES,
Silk and Wool and All-Silk Gren
adines, in iron frame, Mexican mesh,
brocade figures, stripes, checks, etc.,
at reduced prices.
BLACK FRENCH SATINES,
In Solid Stripes,
AT 20c AND 25c.
WOOL GRENADINES,
44-inch widths,
In Plain Mesh at fJc.
In handsome Satin Stripes and
Checks,
75c, 90c, $1.
SILK AND WOOL TAMISE,
42-inch, 85c, $1, $1,25 and
up.
CRYSTALLETTE,
46-inch, in exquisite quality, pure
S.Ik and Wool, English dye,
$1.75 AND $2.
FRENCH ORGANDIES,
Black and Fancies,
From 30c to 20c.
From 37c to 25c.
BIBER & EAST0N,
605 AND 507 MAEKET 811
Jyl4-TTSSU
ORIENTAL RUGS.
SEW DEPARTMENT.
Heretofore people wanting special
sizes of Oriental Rugs had to send to
New York City for them. We have
just opened a large line of these
goods in all sizes and a dozen differ
ent makes. They are our own im
portation, and we will continue to
receive new patterns as fast as brought
out in the Orient. The prices range
from $a up.
CHINA MATTINGS.
Our Matting Department is brim
ful of the very latest weaves. We
have secured the services of a native
of the Celestial Empire, who is sta
tioned in our show window every
day, turning the samples for your inspection.
EDWARD
GROETZINGER,
. 627 AND 629 PENN AVE.
JylO-PTssu
Benjamin Franklin' 17111 Sustained.
Philadelphia, July 13. The Supreme
Court to-day handed down a decision sus
taining the lower court in its refusal to
turn over to theheirs of Benjamin Franklin
the money left by him to establish a fund
to enable mechanics to marry.
The Leading
Dry Goods House.
Pittsburg, Pa
Thursday, July It, 1891
JOS. HOME k CO
PENNAVMUE STORES.
GREAT
JULY
' CLEARANCE
SALE.
It never abates the crowds never
grow less, and the bargains don't
seem to diminish.
It's an enormous stock of goods
we've got to get rid of, and we know
that it takes THE LOWEST PRICES
to make a clearance sure and com
plete. And It's the Lowest Prices
We've Made.
TO-DAY IT'S
LACE S!
These lots are large, and the styles
the handsomest and choicest of the
season's production.
P0INTE DE GENES, "
White, Cream and Ecru,
Widths 4 to 10 inches, regular 75c
quality, now
20c A YARD.
P0INTE DE IRELAND LACES,
Cream, Ecru and Beige,
Widths 5 to 14 inches, regular 75c
quality, now
25c A YARD.
PLATT VAL LACES.
Widths 6 to 12 inches, variety of
different styles, never before sold un
der 75c
NOW 25c A YARD.
Black Chantilly Laces;
Widths 4 to 10 inches,
Regular 75c and $1 qualities,
NOW 25c A Yard.
Black Lace Demi Flounces,
Widths 7 to 12 inches,
Regular $1 and S1.50 qualities,
NOW 75c A YARD.
And similar reductions will be
found on all finest qualities of Pointe
de Gene and De Irlande Laces.
Laces were never so fashionable.
But we must not take chances of keep
ing a single yard, so we make prices
that will surely sell everything.
EMBROIDERIES.
A fevr sample bargains named to
show the trend of the bargain tide
all in the buyer's favor now.
HEMSTITCHED LAWNS,
In Cream and Fancy Colors, 36 and
45 inches wide, now 40c, 50c, 60c
and 75c a yard fully one-fourth less
than actual values.
EMBROIDERED SKIRTINGS,
In pieces of 4j yards can't be sold
in less quantities at $2, S2.50 and
J3 per piece less than half actual
retail value of the goods.
WHITEG00DS.
They are going fast anyway, for
it's their season to go but now they'll
go faster.
Mulls, Lawns and Nainsooks, scores
of styles,
Now 7c to 15c a Yard,
Were 10c to 30c a yard.
All reduced an average of one-hal
Store closes at 5 o'clock.
JOS. DIE & CO,,
-621 PENN AVB.
JyH
FINE STATIONERY,
Wedding Invitation, Calling Cards, EUUt
ENGRAVING AND PRINTING.
W. V. DERMITT & CO.,
39 Sixth Avenne.
ap9-TT3sa
FINE WALL PAPER.
Ghoics Patterns at 5c, 10c and 15c,
English nnd American Tarnishes.
Tile Papers lor Bathrooms and Kltchenf.
IMITATION OF STAINED GLASS.
J. KERWIN MILLER & CO., .
2fo. H3 Smlthfleld Street,
PITT3BUBQ.
JyT-x
I)
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4
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AWT itf " 1 1 n ftiifcui