THE PBCTSBURa, ' DISPA TCH,' MfONDlY; DECEMBER ' 12,' 1892.
,-, V-. v"
'V
Btory could not be corrobo-
POISON WAS SUSPECTED,
Bat tho Men in Charge of the Mil Commis
sary Never Could Detect It Cooks Were
Watched Closely and Different roods
Dropped.
One of the young men who -worked in the
mill commissary aud who had knowledge
of every article of food that was given tho
non-union workers to eat was seen in
Homestead last evening. He said that so
many men were sick with diarrhoea, ac
companied with severe cramps, and the
disease was eo persistent that poisoning
was early suspected. The cooks and others
who handled the food were closely watched,
and whenever a man was spotted he was
promptly discharged. A number ot cooks
were dropped during the siege, and the
greatest diligence on the part of those in
charge ot the restaurants failed to reveal
even the slightest trace ot poison. None
of the food was analyzed by chemists so tar
as he knew.
The diarrhoea showed itself among the
non-union men about two weeks after work
was resumed. The disease was at its
height through August, and persisted until
the frost came, when it died out. Scarcely
a man in the big plant escaped an attack.
Some cases were severe, others were slight.
The clamor for Jamaica gingerand hot drinks
was constant, and the doctors were kept busy
administering these drugs. Still the men
could not obtain relief. The diarrhoea soon
soon became chronic, and resembled the
disease so common among soldiers of the
late war.
The Cooks TVere Often Changed.
The company had seven dining apart
ments, with three cooks for each, making
21 employed at one time. The cooks were
changed often, and this would make it diffi
cult for conspirators to keep their people at
work. It made no difference at what table
a man ate he was sure to catch the disease.
A few shrewd fellows noticed that every
time they devoured anything fried they
got the cramps. The meats were fried in
oleomargarine, and it was used for shorten
ing in the pies and cakes. The latter also
produced the diarrhoea. They dropped all
these articles of food and confined them
selves to boiled dishes like eggs and pota
toes. Under this diet they thrived and
were not ilL Bob "Watson was one of the
men, and he thinks the oleomargarine
caused the trouble.
As the disease persisted the doctors tried
dropping the different kinds oi food. First
the water was shut off, then coffee and tea,
next one vegetable after another salt meat
was exiled from the tables, and still the
disease bobbed up serenely and flour
ished like a green bay tree. This
puzzled the phvsicians more than
ever. One of the leading doctors of the
the town suggested to the company that
possibly the Chicago dressed beet was re
sponsible. He discovered that a solution
oi ammonia was poured over it.
Attributed tho Disease to Ammonia.
In addition ammonia was used in manu
facturing the ice, and the general result was
to make the meat alkaline. Its effect
would be like the famous alkaline waters
of Colorado. However, the doctor changed
his m'nd later when he found the disease
had taken hold of a number of people in the
town who did not eat a mouthful in the
mill, and could not have been within the
reach ot the alleged poison. People like
Mr. Burg, the draughtsman, John Whar-.
ton, the open hearth man, Dovey, the
yardniaster, a Mr. Peterson, several of the
Carnegie clerks, and others, who did not
eat in the mill, were afflicted with the
diarrhoea. It existed as long as they remained
in the place, but after they had been at the
seashore for a few das the disease disap-I
peareu. x or mis reason me pnysician in
question thinks the trouble was caused by
atmospheric conditions. The sewerage ot
Homestead is very bad also. Evidence of
this could be seen jesterday where green
colored tilth was frozen in the bottom ot
the deep gutters. The mystery to most
people who visit the town is how anybody
escapes being tick there in the summer.
When the lrost came the disagreeable
symptoms gradually disappeared. Now the
restaurants are located outside of the mill,
and many of the men eat their dinners in
them, Ther are fed the same kind of lood,
and very little sickness prevails. The
change for the better is attributed to the
cold eather, and it is Icared the disease
will break out again in the spring.
Might llaic Keen Tartar Emetic.
Another prominent Homestead physician
was asked what poison would produce the
symptoms noted among the non-union men.
Me replied that tartar emetic, a mixture of
antimony and tartar, was the only one that
he could think of without ihe taste betray
ing it- Some vegetable poisons could be
used, but their bitterness would reveal
their presence. Antimony has a
pearly color, is about neutral in
taste, and it could be sprinkled over
iood without anybody noticing it. It is a
Slow poison, and will kill if used long
enough. It acts as a powerful irritant on
the stomach, causing vomiting, burning
pains in the organ and affecting the circula
tion and pulse. The irritation soon passes
to the abdomen and violent diarrhcea fol
lows. In the case ot the non-union people
afflicted they were weakened rapidly, and
in a short time were reduced lrom strong
and hearty men to mere skeletons. The
above symptoms were related to the young
man in the commissary, and he said most of
them were present, but he knows no more
about the poison story than the old gentle
man whose face beams so kindly in the
moon.
LAUGH AT THE STORY.
Very Tew Homesteaders Heard of It Tes
terdaj Supposed to Be an Attempt to
Prejudice the Public for Its Effect on
the Comlns Trials.
The report that members of the Advisory
Board and officials of the Amalgamated As
sociation were included in the list of those
who will be charged with having a hand in
the alleged poisoning of non-union men did
not produce a npple of excitement in
Homestead.
"When the story was related to a number
of the old strikers they laughed at it as
ridiculous, and the opinion was general that
the Carnegie Company's object was to
prejudice the public for its effect on the
coming trials.
Bobert J. Beatty, the man arrrested in
Louisville, is not well known in Home
stead. The average citizen never heard of
him, and a few were found who remem
bered him slightly. Dave Lynch was dis
covered talking to several men on the cor
ner near the P., V. & C depot. "When
asked if he had heard of the poisoning story
he smiled and said he had read about tbe
arrest of Beatty.
"My recollection of Beatty is very indis
tinct," he continued. "I remember he ap
plitd to me once as a member of tbe
Advisory Board to make some kind of a
change in his relief order. I couldn't tell
now whether he looked like a workman or
not, and I don't know whether he was em
ployed in the mill before the strike. I
don't know what evidence the company may
have against him, but anv attempt to im
plicate members of the Advisory Board or
officials of the Amalgamated Association is
intended to throw discredit on the men.
The treason charges were brought for this
purpose, and it was expected that the bail
would be put so high that we couldn't
furnish it. So far as I am concerned, mr
home is here, and I intend to live in this
town in the future. An innocent man will
not run away, and I am ready to meet all
charges made against me. I don't take any
stock in this poison story. It is too
clumsy on its lace. I don't believe any
man would be fool enough to mix himself
up in such a plot. My great regret is that
the men ever resisted the Pmkertons. I
told them it was a mistake and claimed that
if they went home and remained there it
would be impossible for the company to
start the mill. Then the firm could have
put the Sheriff, deputies and Pinkertons in
snd Lane's
rated.
side, and it would haTe been seen what
they could accomplish,"
"Is there much suffering in the town?"
was asked.
"Yes, a great deal. w Many of the men
made small salaries and used all their
monev to keep their families. Some of
them "were in want a week after the strike
commenced. Their clothes have been worn
out, and they need others badly to keep
them warm."
GLOSSER DIED OF FEVER,
So Say the Attending Physicians and the
Family Didn't Know Anything About
the Body Being Exhumed The Grave
Had Not Been Disturbed.
The statement that Charles Glosser died
from the effects of poison placed in his
fobd while at work in the Homestead mill
receives little credence from his family.
Last evening his father, Jacob Glosser,
said: "I can hardly believe that my son
Charlie was the victim of foul play, al
though such might have been the case. His
symptoms were those of typhoid fever, and
our family physician, Dr. Petit, treated
him for that disease.
"Charlie had been working in the mill
only a few weeks. He came home one day
and appeared very sick. "We called in Dr.
Petit and after a thorough examination he
said it was a severe, case of typhoid fever.
To-day when I heard from one of my neigh
bors that it was now thought Charlie bad
been poisoned and his body had been ex
humed to have a chemical analysis made of
the stomach, I was much surprised and
could not believe it possible.
"My daughter went at once to the Alle
gheny Cemetery and found the grave just
as it had been left when Charlie was buried.
She is positive her brother's body was not
taken up."
Mrs. Glosser was greatly excited over the
matter, the revival of her son's death being
a painful subject. She expressed the hope
that if there was any doubt of foul play
that the body be exhumed and examined at
once.
Dr. Albert Petit, of 33 Ninth street, said:
"Mr. Glosser was a friend of mine. I
watched his case closely and would wager
anything I have in the world that he died
of typhoid fever, and that he was not
poisoned. He had been sick for a week be
fore he came from Homestead. He should
have been in bed a week sooner. His death
occurred on the 19th or 20th day after I be
gan treating him. No poison that he could
have taken would have killed him after
such a long time without giving evidences
of it previously. I certainly would .have
detected any poisoning symptoms. Tl.was
a typical case ot typhoid lever without un
usual features."
THE CORONER SKEPTICAL
Bis Onlclal Investigations Throw Discredit
on the Poison Theory.
Coroner McDowell declared last night
that the first intimation he had of the case
was on Saturday night. A representative
of the Carnegie firm came to see
him in regard to the death of
Isaac Jury. He said Jury had died
rather suddenly and there was good reason
to suppose his death was caused by foul
play. Homestead men had threatened his
life because he had been a witness to the
riot on July 6, and had testified against the
strikers before the grand jury and appeared
aeainst Critchlow when he was on trial.
There was an intimation that someone
would be arrested. The Coroner had inves
tigated Jury's death, and frgm tbe evidence
decided it had resulted from pneumonia.
brought on by excessive and continued
drinking.
As to Glosser's death, the Coroner said
that if such a case had been handled as it
was claimed, it was rather discourteous to
him that be had not been consulted.
"I hardly believe Glosser's remains were
exhumed. A certificate frow the court or
the Coroner is necessary, unless the family
of the deceased have it done. In this case
it must have been the court by request ot
the district attorney who would issue such
a certificate. As to the statement
that many men were poisoned in the mill
and died of it, I am satisfied It is untrue. I
watched that closely and am satisfied from
cases which came under my notice that
typhoid fever was epidemic at Home
stead." District Attorney Burleigh declared last
night- he had never heard of the alleged
poisoning cases, nor of the taking up of
Charles Glosser's body.
NO MURDER CHARGED.
Informations Made Against Two Men for
Felonious Assault and Battery.
Alderman McMasters said last night that
it was not claimed that any person had died
lrom poison at Homestead, though it
was charged that several men had
suffered from it. Only two informa
tions were made before McMasters.
They were for felonious assault
and battery against Patrick Gallagher and
Robert Beatty, and were made at the same
time. Gallagher "nade sworn statements on
which Beatty was arrested. Pat Farrell,
one of the Pinkerton detectives, went
to Harrisburg last night for requisition
papers on which to bring Beatty from
Louisville. The affidavits made by Galla
gher were taken along as evidence to induce
the Governor to issue the papers. What
the statements were conld not be learned
last night, the copies being locked up in
Attorney Breck's safe.
Gallagher was never arrested, but has
been about the city where the authorities
could lay their bauds on him when wanted.
He was employed at various restaur
ants around town. Lately he worked
as a cook at Porter's restaurant, but on
Saturday night suddenly disappeared and
could not be found yesterday. One oi his
friends said he had gone down tbe river.
DR. M'CLELLAND'S STORY.
The Sickness Prevailed Jven After Pure
Water "Was Used.
Dr. J. H. McClelland, Secretary of the
State Board ot Health, was seen last night.
He visited the Homestead mills to ex
amine into the cause of the illness thre.
Last night, in speaking of it, he said: 'In
the examination last summer we attributed
the cause of the sickness to the water.
There was nothing else that we could find
that was not ai it should be.
When I inspected the place the
men were drinking river " water.
This was analvzed and found
to be impure. I advised that the men
drink water from the wells In the mill yard.
This was done, but the sickness still kept
up. The men were all afflicted with diar
rhoea. They were affected much like a per
son who had drunk crpton oil.
"I attended a number of the men who
went from Pittsburg to work at Home
stead. T. J. Lane was one of tbe number,
and the disease wasted him away verv
rapidly."
NO POISONED PATIENTS
Were Becelved at tho Hospitals
From
Homestead for Treatment.
Superintendent Slack, of the Homeo
pathic Hospital, said last night: "We
have had a number of men here from Home
stead with various diseases, but I am abso
lutely certain that none were suffering
from poisoning. One man died from a
severe attact of cholera morbus in August.
We also had several cases of typhoid lever
lrom there, but no poisoning, I am sure.
Superintendent Cowan, ot the West Penn
Hospital, was absent, but the physician in
charge was sure they had no such cases
from Homestead.
Dr. Dunlevy, of the Allegheny General
Hospital, said that they had not received
any such patients from Homestead.
ASKING FORREFORM.
The New Platform of the Cit
izens' Industrial Alli
ance Causes a
VERY WABM DISCUSSION.
Important Changes Demanded in the
Conduct of City Affairs.
WANT TO VOTE FOR THE CHIEFS
Allegheny Eepublicans Mixed Up Over the
Mayoralty Contest
PITTSBDEG DEHOCBATS ARE WORRIED
The meeting of the Citizens' Industrial
Alliance in Odd Fellows' Hall, on South
Eighteenth street, yesterday, was well at
tended. The Amalgamated Association,
Window Glass Workers and Painters'
Union were admitted to membership.
Many of the members expressed views so
adverse to the general purpose of the or
ganization that it was at times difficult for
the Chair to maintain order.
The question of putting a ticket in the
field for the spring election was warmly
discussed. It has been the purpose of the
Alliance to adopt an independent course of
action, not nominating their own candi
dates, but simply indorsing the candidates
favorable to the interests of labor, irre
spective of party, but many of the mem
bers want their own candidates and there is
some friction between the two factions.
No action was taken on this question yes
terday further than a heated discussion.
Another meeting will be held at Third ave
nue and Market street next Saturday even
ing. The following platform or declaration
of principles was adopted:
A Demand tor Municipal Iteform.
In the interest of good government in this
city it behooves every citizen to endeavor
to rescue our municipality from the glzantlo
octopus which has for years past had con
trol, and whose every act lias been detri
mental to the interests ot the taxpayer.
Franchises have been voted away indis
criminately, and have never been a source
of revenue to the city, but have been instru
mental in making wealthy and unscrupulous
politicians who have through their Influ
ence secured tbe covetod concessions.
Promises have on or about election
been lavishly made to the citi
zens of the municipality. Industries
which formerlv flourished In our midst are
seeking other fields to escape the excessive
taxation and are thus depriving thousands
of our citizens of their means of livelihood,
and by this modo are retarding the natural
development and growth of the community.
To perpetuate the power of this system
the police, firemen and all other city em
ployes are prizes to be given only on ac
count of the political power that the recipi
ents are supposed to wield, and by assess
ments to the campaign fund from their earn
ings a corruption fund Is raised, which In
tbe past has been able to defeat all efforts of
reform.
In addition to this the favored contractors
have become wealthy at the expense of the
city, using interior matorial, doing unsat
isfactory work, and their employes to re
tain their positions must obligate them
selves and friends to assist on election day
in the election of people who are favorably
inclined to the existing resime.
Thinks It la Time to Audit.
Our city government, which receives and
disburses millions of dollars annually.elther
from laxity, carelessness or fearful that dis
closures of a startling nature might be the
result, whloh they deem advisable to keep
from the pnblio, have neglected to audit
the accounts of this city for the past 30
years.
In view of tbe above recital of the condi
tion of affairs in our city, it becomes ap
parent to all good citizens who are desirous
of pnre government tbat they must do their
whole duty In supporting principles which
will bring about the desired result, and men
of such sterlins and upright characters
who, from their actions In the past and
pledges given, will bring about-tue much de
sired reform and wrest this municipality
from tbe hands of this gan of unscrupu
lous politicians who havo in the past used
it for their selfish purposes.
Platform of Principles,
A Just and proportionate valuation on all
taxable properties.
Seduction of taxes to the lowest possible
limit consistent with good government
efficiently administeied.
Taxation ot all streetcars.
Franchises to be sold to the highest bid
ders. Purchasers to keep all streets or high
ways in repair.
Free intercourse to all sections of the
citv.
The annual appropriation for pnblio im
provements to bo limited to a reasonable
amount.
All pnblio work where practicable to be
performed by the city direct. Taxpayers
aud citizens to be employed.
Election of the heads of the various de
partments of our city government direct by
tbe people.
All city employes to be separated from all
political influences by civil service law
rigidly enforced.
The city to own and operate the plants for
supplyini? lis: lit and water.
Investment or the chief executive with
the supervision of all departments with full
power to enforce obedicuce to laws adopted
lor the government of this municipality.
An annual audit of the acconnts of various
departments of our city government.
THE DEMOCBATS WAITING.
Want to Know Who the Bepublican Candi
date Will Be.
One effect of the Bepublican failure to
agree upon a Mayoralty candidate in this
city has been to worry the Democratic
leaders. They don't know what to expect,
or whom they will have to fight Their
latest charge is that the Bepublican leaders
have purposely deceived the people all
along, that they arranged from the begin
ning that no candidate should be selected
for the present and that none will be se
lected until tbe convention meets. Until
the Bepublican delegates gather in the con
vention hall they will not know who they
are to nominate, according to the claims of
the Democrats, and there they will get the
tip and nominate somebody yet unmen
tioned with a great hurrah.
In support of this theory several argu
ments are used. One is that it is not
customary for the Bepublican leaders to
wait in an apparently ucdecided condition
for something to turn up. They generally
know what they want a lone time ahead
and they generally get it Three weeks
ago they said they would settle the question
in a day or two. They have been saying so
ever since, are saying so now and there
seems no better prospect f its being done
than there was at the beginning.
Another point mentioned is that the dele
gates set up by Dr. McCandless are not as
steadfast as they were some time ago. One
was heard to remark on Saturd.iv that he
"would be one of the few to stick to the
Doctor as long as there appeared any show
for him in tbe convention." Another said
all the McCandless delegates would go into
the convention but they would be unin
structed and free to vote as they pleased.
Bopublican leaden deny all this and re
peat that within a day or two a candidate
agreeable to the party and taxpayers gener
ally will be agreed upon. There was much
talk yesterday about the Mayor Gourley
resolution in the Democratiemecting Satur
day night Several Democrats said it
showed the Mayor had great strength and
would result in his indorsement by the"
Democratic organization.
Candidates for Common Council.
W. H. Stauffef is making a lively fight
for renomination to Allegheny Common
Council. He was for Kennedy, but Is now
for Tyler. He claims B. G. MacGonigle is
supporting him and Tyler too. Fred
Tschume, a brother of the policeman, is out
for Common Council from ihe fourteenth
ward, and his friends say will win.
A MIX IN ALLEGHENY.
Republican Political Workers Divided Be
tween Kennedy and Tyler Lack of
Offices Makts Some Enemies for the
Mayor The Major Will Support the
Nominee.
Old politicians in Allegheny say there
has never been a contest there like the
present one for the Mayoralty nomination.
Men who have worked in the same harness
for nearly a decade, and who have heretofore
represented the party or the section of it
which always comes out on top, are on this
contest divided. Of the several candidates
there are only two who receive consideration
as winners Mayor Kennedy and Major
Tyler. When they ran against each other
before Mayor Kennedy relied on the Re
form Association and the numerous friends
of that popular movement for success. The
regular Republican organization supported
him on the day of the primaries, though
prior to that day it had been half-hearted
and inclined more toward Tvler or Braun.
Notwithstanding this so'lid opposition
Tyler came in a good second.
Now the conditions have changed. While
the Mayor has been in office he has made
political enemies. Those who were his
supporters wauted a reward in the shape of
offices, but there were not enough offices to
go around. When the appointments were
made both factions were aggrieved. Now
many of the iteform Association leaders are
opposed to him, some because they accuse
him of going ovsr to the enemv, and some
because of his appointments. The Mayor's
friends, however, assert that he will win
easily. "George Shiras is managing his
campaign and while admitting the condi
tions have changed greatly since the last
campaign, he says the taxpayers will vote
for Kennedy almost solidly. They realize
that great care must be exercised in ex
pending the proposed bond issue, he savs.
and want the Mayor to carry out the scheme
originated by him:
Tylers iriends affect to believe that he
has the fight won. Even his opponents
admit if the primaries took place this
week that the Mayor would be away behind,
but they claim that they have done no work,
that when they get down to busineze the
whole scene will be transformed. Tyler
claims to have a majority of Citv Councils,
all the really strong men in the Betorm As
sociation and, nearly all the party workers
in the city in his support and pledged. The
campaign is not personal. Neither side is
abusing the other, though both sides are
claiming a.victory. Tyler was much dis
turbed yesterday by a report that he would
run independently. He says, if defeated, he
will give the nominee loyal support, as he
pledged himself to the City Committee.
The Democrats are talking of Alex.
Wilson and John Wilhelm as their candi
dates, but are not apparently taking much
interest in the matter.
9
ABOLISHING THE SCHOOLS.
Legislators Think the Few Soldiers'
Or-
plians Can Be Cared for Elsewhere.
The Soldiers' Orphan School Commission,
of which Governor Pattison is chairman,
meets in Harrisburg next Thursday. It
will be the regular meeting and the pro
posed bill to dispense with the State or
phans schools will be considered. M. B.
Lemon, member of the House lrom this
city, is a member of the commission, and
will attend the session. He says a ma
jority of the commissioners are In favor of
the bill and it will be shaped up for pres
entation as soon as the Legislature opens.
He thinks that the very lew soldiers' or
phans who require State assistance can be
accommodated with greater benefit to them
selves at the various industrial schools and
by closing the orphan schools entirely the
State will be saved a considerable annual
expense.
Mr. Lemon goes to Harrisburg on
Wednesday night. On Thursday Senator
Neeb and Representatives Lafferty.Culbert
son, Mackiell, Cotton and Mue'hlbronner
will follow to arrange for their winter
quarters at the State capital. The party
will return home on Friday night, and
either on Saturday or Monday will hold a
caucus to decide upon a leader for the dele
gation and settle upon the candidates it
will support lor the various legislative
offices.
AFBAID OF SUNDAY.
Members of the Citizens' Alliance Want to
Meet on Some Other Day.
The Allegheny branch of the Citizens' In
dustrial Alliance last evening held on en
thusiastic session at 70 Ohio street. Tbe
meeting was presided over by A. M. Swartz.
The Chairman, in a lengthy address, laid
down the plans to be followed in the
campaign by the Alliance. He said:
"The organization is open to all and all
are invited to join it. The impression is
abroad that this Alliance is in the interest
of union labor. Such is not the case. Men
who are sincere are admitted whether union
or non-union. It is not our purpose to put
an independent ticket in the field. When
the Alliance gets more strength we will
.nominate a ticket in our ranks."
Interesting addresses were made by C
ArbogAst, President ot tbe Pittsburg branch
and by M. P. Carrick, Secretary of the
Allegheny organization.
At the close of the session a number of
the members protested against meeting on
Sunday. They were of the opinion that
success could not attend their efforts at re
form it they themselves violated Sunday.
A committee was appointed to engage a
hall lor meetings during the weeK.
A HAMMEEHAN'S BOMAHCB.
Married
Beneath Him, Came to This
Country and Died.
Coroner McDowell was notified yester
day of the death of James Bimmer, a ham
merman at the steel works of Anderson,
DuPuy&Co., at McKee's Bocks. He
went there in tbe afternoon, impanelled a
jury and held an Inquest The testimony
showed that Bimmer had been drinking'to
excess for some weeks past, and on Satur
day night was very drunk. At 9 o'clock
yesterday morning he was found in the open
beartn arcn aeaa. it was evident that his
abuse of himself caused his death, and a
verdict was found attributing it to chronic
alcoholism, exposure and neglect Bimmer
had been employed at the steel works for
about a year. He was 38 years of age.
In investigating the case Coroner Mc
Dowell learned that he was a married man,
but had left his wife in England, and it was
said had deserted her there at tbe instance
of his family. He had married beneath his
station aud his family would not recognize
her, and rather than be harassed by their
censure longer he left his home and wife
and came to America.
BOOM and boarding-house keepers, why
have vacancies? A few small ads in the
ccnt-o-word columns of THE DISl'ATCH
will send you tenants.
Slightly Used "Squares" and "Uprights"
At "Bock-Bottom" Prices.
Onr unusually heavy Christmas trade has
brought to our warerooms a large num
ber of second-hand pianos and organs,
, taken in exchange for new Instruments.
We me offerhijr them to Christmas bar
pain seekers at "rock-bottom" prices and
on easy payments. Give yonr family a
piano or organ for Christmas, llrro is
your ohance. These pianos have been
i-cstrunj:, highly repollshed and flmslio.l,
and are. In fact, superior to many brands
of cheap now pianos now In the maiket.
Comnearlvas they will go soon, and re
member, easy payments taken. If yon
cannot como, write us. Open evenings
until 9 O'clock until the 25cn.
ilELLOB & Hoexe, Foundel 1S31,
. Warerooms, 77 Fifth avenue.
TO HELP EACH OTHER.
Builders' Exchanges to Hold a Bis
Convention Here Soon.
MANY INTERESTS CONCERNED.
Corns Weak Points in the Present System
to Be Strengthened.
HOUSES CAN BB-BIJIIjT JUOEE CHEAPLY
The contractors and builders in and
around Pittsburg have been laboring tinder
a great disadvantage for some time from
the lack of a better understanding between
each other. This is becoming more ap
paient each year; for as the shipping facil
ities to various points are improved, the
contractors of tbe surrounding towns are
brought into such close contact as to make
them actual competitors with those of the
city. Through the advantago ot longer
hours and lower wages they are enabled to
make their bids at so low a figure that the
men actually on the ground can scarcely
compete with them. The city builders find
themselves taken at such a disadvantage
that they are casting about to find some
remedy for the trouble.
Accordingly at the last meeting of the
Builders' Exchange arrangements were be
gun for a convention of all the builders'
exchanges in the surrounding towns to be
held in this city January 17. This move
had been contemplated for some time, but
until last week nothing definite was done.
A committee will have the arrangement of
.a programme, the securing of the neceisary
speakers and everything conneoted with
such a convention. The members of the
exchange are all greatly in favor of the
meeting, and when the motion came np it
was passed without opposition.
Formed an Independent Organization.
The exchange here, with a number of
other exchanges in smaller towns in West
ern Pennsylvania, Eastern Ohio and West
Virginia, severed all connections with the
national association about a year ago, and
since then have been existing as independ
ent organizations. They include Wheeling,
Youngstown, Washington, Ps.,Uniontown,
Greensburg, with many others. All these
will be invited to take part in the conven
tion, and will be allowed representation in
proportion to the number of interests repre
sented in tbe various exchanges, as it is
thought it will be necessary to have each
trade present the needs of tneir different in
dustries so as to enable all to be satisfied.
The questions that will coaie up have not
all been decided upon yet, but those that
will receive the most attention will be tbe
ones relating to the hours ot "work and
wages. In most of the exchanges in the
smaller towns the men work ten hours and
sometimes even more for a day's work.
The exchange here has taken the lead in,
adopting the nine-hour rule, and has
been one of the most earnest advo
cates ot the eight-hour law, though
not in favor of it now and
will not adopt it as long as the other ex
changes work under the 10-hour rule. It is
intended at the meeting in January to try
to come to a mutual understanding as to
what will constitute a day's labor.
The fcxehanges Will Aid Each Other.
It is also probable that the contractors
will make provision to withstand a prom
ised demand from all the labor unions for
the eight-hour law durng the coming year.
and, in case it should come,adopt some plan
of action that will enable them to act in
unison. They have not heretofore been
of aid to each other during a strike and
when one was declared in a town, the build
ers of that place had to fight it out without
help. With the coming together of all, and
reaching a better understanding, it is
thought they will be in such a position as
to win the contest that may occur in a short
time.
Secretary McAfee, in speaking of the
convention and questions likely to be
brought up at that time, said: "One of tbe
most commented on subjects among the
builders at the present time is not one of
wages or hours, though these oc
cupy a good deal of attention,
but the relations between contractor and
sub-contractor and tbe owner of the house.
With all the exchanges tbat come in com
petition with us coming together and ar
ranging some plan whereby they can work
together understanding houses could be
put up much cheaper. As it now is a man
must have a large amount of capital on
hand to go into the building business. The
house is usually completed before any of
the money is paid to the contractor, who,
in turn, gives it to the sub-contractor.
In small structures it is usually required
that tbe money be paid as the work prog
resses, but in all large buildings the
work must be complete before pay can be
asked. Now, when a man has a number of
houses on hand, as is the case with most
contractors, and goes a whole season with
out receiving compensation, there is too
much capital outstanding to do business
without charging a heavy commission.
Getting Money on Accounts.
"It is expected that to remedy this an
arrangement will be made whereby the
money can be paid in at stated intervals,
and in this way allow the bills to be dis
counted, which would amount to quite a
good deal in large buildings. This rule
would have to be general to be enforced. It
would make a difference of hundreds of
dollars in many cases and that would mean a
good deal for contractors. With the present
arrangement the sub-contractor has simply
to await the will ot the chief to get his
money. This so badly embarrasses him
sometimes that he must borrow money,
upon which he has to pay interest, and he
simply adds this to bis bill in making his
estimates. In the end the owner ot the
house has to pay the difference, and the con
tractor is put to no little inconvenience.
All these and a dozen other questions can
be discussed intelligently during a few days'
convention and everyone would be the
gainer, as with the present arrangement
there is a good deal of dissatisfaction among
the contractors. We want a change and
can have it if we make the"cffort"
The programme for the convention is ex
pected to be completed and all necessary
arrangements made when the exchange
holds its quarterly meeting, which will be
held in about two weeks. It is intended to
take up the work in earnest so as to insure
its success.
Sleds, Swing Horses, Velocipedes,
Doll carriages, wasons, tricycles, black
boards, toy lurnlture, mechanical, steam
and electrio toys. Iron toys, children's rat
tan chairs, wool and skin covered animals.
Every conceivable kind on exhibition at
Grove's, Fifth nvenuo. See them before you
make Imas selections.
Handsome Given
Present Away
Free
With every dozen of cabinets at Hendricks
& Co.'s gallery. No. 63 Federal street, Alle
gheny, cabinet $L Three days only.
Toys, Toys, Toys, Toys.
Every imaginabla kind, and at prices that
will surprise you for clienpnoss as well as
the excellent quality. Peo tuoin before you
buy. J. W. Gnovr, Fifth avenue.
Fresh New Fancy Goods
Opened every day in all line. Vo handle
everything founil in fine fancy goods stores.
Open every evening.
Jos. EioiiBAtm & Co., 48 Fifth avenue.
1'ecnllar Shades
Arc matched In cloves at the Louvre. Any
style, any price, ihe only place the Lonvro,
4 Sixth stteet, directly opposite Bijou
Tueatcr.
Cottlow Piano BecltaL
Tickets at all ronsio stores, reserved seats
atKleberBros', 606 Wood street.
De Witt's Little Early Risers. Best pill
for biliousness, sick headache, malaria.
THEIR ANNUAL BEPORT.
The Pittsburg Association for the Improve
ment of the Poor Show the Amount of
Good That Has Been Accompliihed Dur
ing the Tear.
The seventeenth anniversary of the Pitts
burg Association for tbe Improvement of
the Poor was held last evening fn the First
Presbyterian Church. A large number of
people interested in the work of the associ
ation attended. Bev. J. D. Moffitt opened
tho exercises with prayer, after which W.
B. Thompson, the Treasurer, read the an
nual reports of Mrs. S. E. L. Lippincott,
the-Secretary.
The report of the soeiety showed that
during the past year 1,631 families applied
for assistance. Of these 1,297, comprising
4,833 persons, were materially aided. The
largest number of destitute cases originated
from irregular work or insufficient wages.
Sickness reduced 658 families to want, and
in 635 households occasional aid from the
society supported the members. One
hundred and eighty homes were wrecked by
intemperance, .and 23 were left destitute by
the imprisonment of the husband aud
father.
The society, although it does not entirely
support any family, has chronic cases on its
list where, through long illness or enfeebled
age, help is continuous: The society also
made 20,915 visits to people in their homes.
The visitors employed by the association
have records of 631 cases where people who
once received aid are now independent The
Monday night prayer meeting was the
means of inducing 229 children to go to
Sabbath school and 145 to day school. The
diet dispensary has furnished milk, beef
tea, mutton broth, etc., in 2,522 cases.
The report of the Children's Temporary
Home shows tbat it was open nine months
and in that time 129 children were cared for.
In the report of the Fresh Air Fund
Mission it is claimed tbat 74 adults and 334
children were entertained. There was but
one death. The "working women's vaca
tions" enabled 56 persons to pass a short
time in the country, 550 were given rides
and outings and 600 attended a river excur
sion. Following the readings of the re
ports were addresses by Bev. Mr. Moffitt
and Bey. J. C. White, of St Andrew's E.
P. Church.
The total disbursements for the year end
ing November 15 were as follows: War
rants paid bv Treasurer, $15,973 15; amount
due dealers, $iG0 83; cash given lor use in
special cases, $1,144 52; estimated value of
groceries, eta, 52,853 62; estimated value
of donations, not includinggroceries, cloth
ing and Christmas presents, $3,698 50; do
nations to children's homes, $67 05, making
a grand total of $24,497 67. The indebted
ness of tbe association to the Treasurer is
$235 49, aud to dealers, $760 83, a total of
$996,320.
WALKED 70 CLEVELAND.
Patrick Kelly's Aged Wife Died in Pitts
burg Last Tuesday.
Patrick Kelly, an old man, reached Cleve
land on Saturday, having walked all the
way from Pittsburg. He was sent to the
Men's Home in tbat city, and was provided
with food and clothing. The old man said
he lived in Jersey City. He has two sous
and a daughter married in Chicago, and he
and his wile were on their way to see them
when the old lady died in Pittsburg last
Tuesday. He was given a pass as far as
Sandusky.
Pure Food Products.
Miller Bros.. 183 Federal street, Allegheny,
sell only the finest and purest of groceries
and food products. Their prices are always
reasonable. Goods delivered everywheie.
Send for price list
This Is Tour Chance.
Twenty-flve dollars cash and small
monthly payments make yon the owner of
a $15X1 bicycle, with pneumatic tires. Pitts
burg 'Cycle Company, 423 Wood street.
SLIPPERS made of beautiful Plush I
SLIPPERS
Made of handsome Velvet I
SLIPPERS made of finest Leather!
SLIPPERS at Simen's of an almost
endless variety at PRICES that
are one-third less than you can
'buy elsewhere.
Youths' fancy Velvet Slippers at pc
Boys' fancy Velvet Slippers at 50c.
Men's fancy Velvet Slippers at 50c.
Youths' Imitation Alligator Slippers,
65 c.
Boys' Imitation Alligator Slippers,
85c.
Men's Imitation Alligator Slippers,
85c; worth 1.10.
Men's Chenille and Embroidered
Velvet at 75c.
See these fancy Chenille Velvet 85c
Slippers; sold at other stores for
1.10.
Men's fineft Dongola Slippers at $1,
$1.2$, $1.50 and 1.75.
Men's Genuine Plush Slippers at
1.50; sold elsewhere at2.
G. D. SIMEN,
78 OHIO ST.,
ALLEGHENY,
deli-Mwr
PA.
Leading and Lanresc
Jewelry and Art Stores.
RR
&
D
I
Concededly the largest and
finest collection of elegant Dia
monds ever exhibited in' this
city.
Unusually large purchases of
A
M
0
N
D
S
richest and handsome Diamond.
Jewelry, suitable for gifts, were
made especially for this holiday
season.
FINGER RINGS
' EAR RINGS
PENDANTS
NECKLACES
. r BROOCHES
" LOCKETS
" ' BRACELETS
- ' HAIR PINS
' - SCARF PINS
BUTTONS
STUDS
DIAMONDS with Eubies, Emeralds, Sap
phires, Opals, Turquobe mid Pearls.
E. P.v ROBERTS & SONS,
Fifth Aye. and Market-St "
dell-KWT
NEW ADYEBTTSEMENTS.
The Leading
Dry Goods House.
Prrrsntnto. Pju,
Monday, Dec 12, 1392.
E & C0,'S
PENN AVE. STORES.
This is the week to make
your Christmas purchases.
Next week the store will be
packed and -jammed, and there
will be little pleasure in shopping-
Thousands
of
: Patterns
And all of the choicest of the
season's new goods. The ex
traordinary popularity of our'
great Christmas Dress Pattern
Sale is entirely due to the fact
that the quality and kind of
goods we put into them is the
very best. We are not in the
scramble to put the LOWEST
PRICE on the patterns, but we
promise the best value you ever
bought in all your life in Dress
Goods. Thousands have al
ready verified this promise.
Here is a partial list of the
prices:
Plain Black and Colored Cash
meres AT $1.50 AND 2.00
PER PATTERN.
Fancy Imported Striped Chev
iots and Plaids AT $2 PER
PATTERN.
Fancy Scotch Mixture and
Stripes and Plain Cheviots
AT $2 50 PER PATTERN.
Camel's Hairs, in Stripes and
Mixtures, choice colors, AT
$3 PER PATTERN.
Large variety of imported French
Plaids and Cords AT $4 PER
PATTERN.
Fine' imported Broadcloths, in
most fashionable shades, AT
$S PER PATTERN.
ALL IN NEAT BO XE3,
Several very large recent purch ases
are just put on sale this morning.
3,000 yards of Novelty Came l's Hairs,
black grounds and colored grounds
with black and white stripes and
plaids, 40 inches wide at 50c a yard.
These are regular 51 aud 51 25 quality
goeds.
2,5C0 yards of Navy Blue and Black
Striped Camel's Hair Suitings, 43
inches wide, at 50c a vard. Have
been sold as bargains at 75c.
Heavy-weight, strong, wool Serge
Plaids, in a variety of patterns,
choice colors, 42 inches wid, at 60o
a yard. They have been offered this
season as good 51 quality.
Lupin's French Cashmeres, extra heavy,
superior in fabric, finish and dye, 45
inches wide, have never sold under
Si 25. Are made a Christmas Dress
Goods leader at St a yard. Fully
forty shades to pick from.
33-inch all-wool Cashmeres, in 25 fash
ionable colors at 59o a yard. Were
never below G5a
A SILK BARGAIN:
5,003 yards of rich, elegant Glace Silks,
plain stripes, figured stripes and
fancy figured, beautiful colors, and
quality that never before sold below
SI 25 and 51 50. are 80c and SI a yard.
The biggest purchase of the season.
Just on sale to-day.
You still have a large choice of those
bargain India Silks at 50c and 65a a
yard.
BLACK SILK PATTERNS
In all the handsome, rich Black Silks,
including the newest and most fash
ionable weaves; all prices IMJ03I 510
TO ?25 EACH.
100 leaders in Men's fine Umbrellas on
sale to-day good silk, natural wood han
dles, best paragon frames, at S3, S2 25 and
$2 50 each. Eeal bargain prices.
New tight-roll "Umbrellas for Mea, nat
ural wood sticks, at S4, S5 and 6.
Umbrellas for Ladies and Children by
thousands handles of wood, Dresden,
ebony, gold and silver. Prices from 51 00
to 525.
Choicjst assortment of Men's House Coats
and Dressing Gowns from the collection,
still here you would not think we've had
three weeks of the smartest Christmas buy
ing our Men's Department has ever seen.
Plenty of presents for the Children in the
Children's Department of the pleasing
practical kind:
Infants' White Flannel and Cashmere
Shawls. . ...
Infants' "White, daintily embroidered
Wrappers. .
Infants' Kobe, in China Silk, Nainsook
and fine French Lawns.
Infants' Toilet Baskets, variety of shapes,
gold with pink and silver with blue.
Children's and Misses' Dresses, Jaccets,
Coats, Ulsters and Mackintoshes.
Boys' Velvet Junior and Keefer Suits and
Chinchilla Beefers.
Upholstery Department oilers Fancy
Down Pillows by hundieds; Piano and Ta
ble Covers in Chenille, Velour and Tapes
try; Oak Screens, 3 fold, 5 feet high, at
51 75, a bargain; Japanese Screens, 53 to 59
all sizes. ,
Beautiful Drapery Silks, 75c quality at
45c a yard.
Onr great display of Christmas Fancy
Goods in the center of store augmented this
morning by more beautiful goods of all
kinds than we've had at any time yet Sil
ver, Leather and Novelties.
JOS. HORNE & CO.
609-621 Penn Avenue.
dell-t
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HORN
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