INGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATION Of the Labor Troubles at Homsstead, Pa. Summary of the Pro- 8 ceedings. PERSONNEL OF THR INVESTIGATING COMMITTEE The five members of the Investigating Committees who were appointed by the House to investigate the cause of the Home- stead strike, are all gentlemen who have considerable experience in national affairs, _ and none of whom could be termed youth- ful. 4 a 7 7 \ ow 7 4 es Di” W. D. BYNUM, OF INDIANA. a "Chairman Wirniax C. Oates, of Abbe- ville, Ala, is a stalwart, ruddy-faced and ‘gray: mustached ex-Confederate army offi- cer. lie is 57 yearsold, and asa lawyer ‘occupies a conspicuous position inthe Bouth. : Hox. Wirntiay D. Byyuy, of Indiana, is ghiefiy known among Western politicians. Because of the famous tilt he had with Col- pnel Thomas M. Bayne, during the last Con- gress. ilc is considerably over 6 feet tall. He Is one of the leaders on the Democratic side bn the House. The third Democratic member of the “pomumittee is Mr. Cuas. J. BoaTNER, a na- tive of 1, 1isiana. He is the youngest mem- ber of. we committee, being but 43 = years old. He'is considered one of the best law- yers in the Seuth. : Ezra 3. Tavror, one of the Republican members of the committee, is from Warren, PD. Ii¢is one of the serious men in the House. le rarely smiles. Helis also the pldest member of the committee, and natnr- ally enough the most venerable looking. Casi Broperick, of Holton, Kan., is an- pther good lawyer and the second Repub- lean member of the committee. Helis a na- tive of Indiana, and is 53 years of age. The Committee appointed by Congress to robe the wage controversy between the rnecie company and its employees at Homes cad, Pa, arrived in Fittsburg on Tuesday about noon. In the afternoon the Committee visited the scene of last week s battie at Homestead and then returned to Pittsbury, and at 7:30 began an evening Bession. - Both sides of the controversy were fairly represented. The fi st witness called was H. C. Frick, who was dulys worn. He testified that about 13,000 men ‘were eniployed. When asked as to the earn- ings of the men who were now striking, he gave dita tending to show the earings of the employes directly affected in the 119- inch plute mill by the scale. This _state- ment included the name, position and indi- vidual earnings of all the men employed in that department; from the highest paid down to the lowest. Thomas Williams, a roller, for the month of May, 1892, earned $251 05. In addition, there were two other rollers as follows: J. Trobe, worked 22 days, earned $278 50, and Thqmas Hotch- ‘kiss, 23 days, with a total of $279 30. H. Tank, a screw-down, worked 22 days and earned $177 35; William McQuaide, same, 23 days, $214 05; and I. Plipert, same, 24 days, £215 55. Three table men, in the same month, earned as follows: Tirst 24 days, $168 85; second, 22 days, $179 55;third, 29 davs, $167 30. Six hookers earned as follows: Iirst, 24days. $143 80; . second, same; third and fourth, 22 days, each 3 63; fifth 23 days, $150 55, and sixth, 23 ys, $153 25. Three front sweepers earned resrectively, first, 22 days. $111 40; second, 23 days, $103; third, 24 days, $101 25. The back sweepers earned: First, 25 $07 60; second, 23 days, $100 20: days, 9560. First shearmen, 2 ys, $218 40: second, 22 days, $230 43; third, 21 days, $217 50; Second shearmen, first, 24 days, 8141 55; second.21 days, S142 15; third, 94 davs, £129 65; headers made in the same month. first, 24 days, $121 95; second, $162 25: third, 24 days, $129 65, Second headers. the first worked 18 days and earn- ed $03 20: second, 22 days, $129 05; third, 23 days, $121 40. There were also in the ‘119-inch plate mill 31 shear helpers, ' whose average number of working days during May was - ealculated by Mr. Frick to be about 22, and their average earnings were, he should say, at least $95 each for that time, eight hours constituting a day’s work. Next came the heathers, six in number. The first worked 94 days and earned $194 60; second, 23 days, $185 45; third, 22 days, $101 30; fourth, 23 days, $195 53; fifth, 21 days, $178; sixth, 23 days, $199 10. Heathers’ helpers. five -in namber, whose average number of days worked was about 23 aud whose average pay was about $135. Three first trainmen, average number of days worked 25 each; average pay, $120 each. Three second train- men who worked on an average 25 days "each and averaged to draw $97 each. Four pull-ups, which Mr. Frick explained, were poys and worked by the day, averaged 22 days each and earned on an average $10 each per month, working days of 12 hours each. ead shearers worked 12 hours per day; there were five of them. The first worked 17 davs and earned $112 05; seeond, 23 days, $130 75; third, 24 days, $90 80; fourth, 23 days, 171 90; fifth, 23 days, $110 50; sixth, 23 days, $79 80. ~ Mr. Frick next enumerafed a list of gaugers, painters, stampers and others who averazed 26 days each during May, and whose earnings averaged $70 per month. Ordinary laborers, of whom 30 are employed in the 119-inch mill. are the lowest paid | Tabor employed in that department, and are aid by the hour at the rate of 14c., ten Dare constituting a day’s work. Others Who are classed as laborers earn $1 70 per day. fa Judee Oates, after a confidential confer- | ence with Mr. Bratner, asked Mr, Frick to state ‘what scale was proposed by your, eompany to these laborers which they re- "Mr. Fn in reply stated that in January. ear the concern had requested the Amalgamated association to turn its atten. tion to the consideration of a scale to take the piace of the one expiring on June 30, they did nof succeed in getting the | ake the matter up until some time :h, when the association presented a 8 ‘and ‘which in almost every called foran advance. Several con- p r that and v ing almost all of the departments: fond: open hearth-furnaces Nos. 1 and 2, the-118- inch plate mill and the 32-inch slabbets’ mill—four departments—in which & change in the former scale of wages was contempla- ted. Wages in all othér departments were to remain the same. One her change was provided for in the scale as prepared by the company and that was that the scale should end with the calendar year, and not in the middle, as formesly. The change made in the scale prepared by the company affected only about 325 men; 280 of these would have their wages affected by the ton- nage, but the total number would be affect- ed by the change in the minimum price of billets, Under the scale which expired June 30 last, in case billets sold below $25 wages did not go down correspondingly, and: Mr. Frick added in an impressive manner, “There was no maximum. In reply toa question as to the cost of manufacturing, Mr. Frick could not exactly state what it was. Congressman Taylor, referring to Mr. Frick’s statement that the only reductions proposed would affect only about 325 men, wanted to know what reductions the balance of the 3,800 men emyloyed at Homestead would have to stand. : “No reduction,” answered Mr. Frick, “and we did not propose. to make any changes.”’ The most interesting point in the exami- nation was the account of Mr. Frick regard- ing the employment of the Pinkerton men, He said that the firm, after the conference on June 24, decided to hire the men, as the experience they had several years ago con- vinced them that the sheriff was powerless. On June 25 he sent a letter to obert A. Pinkerton asking for 300 guards. He stated in the letter, which was read to the congres- sional committee, that he was not desirous that the men should be armed, as he did not think there would be any trouble. The utmost secrecy was used in making the ar- rangements with Pinkerton. Mr. Ifrick was asked what the motive was and replied : “The experience of three years ago.” “Had anything been said or done by your former employes that they intended an as- sault on the works?" “Nothing special, except we knew their tactics.’ Mr. Oates—Yon erected a stockade about your works, did you not? “We had that finished over a month be- fore, and had had it in contemplation for a long time.” “Jt mae the place more easily defend- 213 “That's a fact.” “Did you make other arrangements for ‘the reception of the Pinkertons?" “We arranged with Capt. Rodgers for brats and barges. We thought we could land right on out property from: the boat and thereby avoid any possible collision, re- sulting from the transporting of the guards in trains.” “Tn anticipation of trouble were not the barges lined ?”’ “Xo, sir”? Mr. Bratner next wanted to know whether or not Mr. Frick had thought the sheriff was able to send enough men to Homestead to protect the company’s property. Mr. Frick said in reply that while he was satisfied that the sheriff was perfectly willing and anxious to secure the requisite number of men to protect the works at Homestead, he was a'so satisfied that the sheriff would not be able to do so. . WEDNESDAY SEsstoN.— When the commit- tee met this morning Mr. Frick was called again. He could not state definitely whether or not the Pinkertons were to come armed, although he stated he was satisfied that he did not stipulate that they should be armed. Mr, Frick was asked about the wages paid at the Carnegie mille. . He re- plied that from the best information he could obtain he believed the wages paid were higher than at any other place. Oates—What is the actual cost of making a ton of steel billets without taking into consideration the interest on investment? A. [don’t think that is a fair question. Oates—If you object to answering, I will re- fer it to the committee for consultation. Taylor—Would you answer the question taking in all expenses? A. decline. : Boatner—You don’t care to give away any of the secrets of the trade? Oates—Wpuld you state the labor cost? A. That is the same question. Mr: Bynum—The new scale would result in a reduction of 15 per cent. to the Home- stead men ? Mr. Frick—Yes, sir; but I am confident that with the new machinery the wages of the men would be increased. Mr. Bynum—During the winter months the rk is not as steady ? Mr. Frick—1I think the average number of working days during a year is 270.. In some departments the time may be Jess. Capt. Rodgers was called and sworn. He said he was a steamboatman. Chairman Oates—Captain Rodgers, what do you know about the transportation of Pinkerton men to Homestead ? Captain Rodgers said he could answer that question hetter by submitting a state- ment which he had furnished a morning paper of July 11. Chairman Oates told Captain Rodgers that he could read the statement as part of his testimony. Zhe Captain then read the arti- cle. Jt was as follows: “On the 25th of June Mr. H. C. Frick sent for me and made arrangements jor the transportation, on a date to be thereafter given, of 300 or more men, with their subsistence, from a point not then deter- mined on the river to the Carnegie works at Homestead. He said they were to act as watchmen in the works and that they would be under the direction of the sheriff of the county. He said nothing about any apprehended trouble. I proceeded at once to fit up the barges for the accommodation of this number of men by making berths and putting on provisions. Mr. Frick said he intended to house the men on the boats and make them a hotel or boarding house. He also arranged with a supply house adjacent to my office to take such supplies on my boats to the men as necessity Te- quired. “On Tuesday, Julv 5, early in the day, IT got orders from Mr. Frick to send may boats to Davis islands dam to meta train that would arrive there between 10 and*11 o'clock with these men on board. I was also noti- fied from Mr. Frick that a deputy sheriff would meet me at the dam to take charge of the expedition. W. C. OATES, OF ALABAMA. “I went down with our two small tow- boats, each in charge of a barge, and arrived at the dam about 10 o'clock. Was there met by Mr. Joseph Gray, who had a letter of in- “troduction to me. stating hewas to accom- pany me asa deputy sheriff. We had to wait half an hour for the arrival of the train on the Ft, Wayne road with the men on hoard, Idid not count them, but was told by those in charge there were 300. They seemed to be a nice-looking set of men and intelligent, well dressed and behavad. They seemed to be under the charge of four men who acted as captains. The men talked “freely of going to Carnegie’s toact as watch- “Tuen and seemed to have no idea of being engaged in a work of danger. On th |.up from Davis, Island “the way: I _— dam. they {more intent on getting so ing fo bunking tha BhY% 1 Ise. Two-thirds of the men were asleep until the firing on the boats commenced near Homestead. ©] was on the Little Bill, and when we got near the lock, the barge in fact being in the lock, we heard a distress signal from the Tide, and I directed the Little Bill to go back and ascertain what was the matter. When we got to the railroad bridge we found the Tide's machinery disabled so she could not eed. We then took her barge in tow and®proceeded to Hombstead with m Homestead when we heard many whistles blowing which impressed us with the idea we were ex . As we neared Home- stead daylight was breaking and we could see the crowd gathering on the Homestead shore. When within one mie of Home- stead and until we reached the landing they were firing into us, the balls striking the _pilot house and chimneys. but hurting no one up to that time, We proceeded to Tand, just above the railroad bridge, on the prop- erty of the Carnegie Steel Company, which was fenced in. We went right on: against the shore and were there met by .an armed mob, I think about 50 to 100, whose num: bers were being reinforced by the crowd on the river bank following the boat, until there was probably a thousand there within five minutes after we made the landing. . “The first crowd attacked and tried to stop our tying up and putting out a stage plank. As they came it was something like a charge over the river bank, with the evi- dent intent to get on.the barges. They got on the stage and were met by the Pinkerton men. One young man threw himself flat on the stage when Captain Hines of the Pinkerton corps went forward to push, him off. His lying there looked like a piece of bravado, and the others were trying to crowd in over and pass him. While another Pinkerton man was endeavoring to keep the crowd back with an oar, the man lying on the landing stage fired the first shot at the captain—I mean the first _shot that i id damage—wounding him in the igh. “Immediately tbe crowd began firing from the bank, as well as on the river's edge near the barge. Two men of the Pink ertons were shot at this time, at the head of the barge, and one was reported to me to have been shot at the stern of the boat. All this occurred before the Pinkerton men fired, but immediately upon it they fired a general volley, that is about 20 at the head of the boat with revolvers principally, and the crowd retreated behind the entrench- ments which they had provided of pig iron and iron plate. : 0% “We then put out our stage. and the firing ceased, with the exception of an oc asional shot, until we left to go to Port Perry with the wounded. Our time and theirs the next two hours was spent in taking care of the wounded. “The arms that the Pinkerton men: had were sent in advance, and were put on the boat with other stores, before they arrived. On the way np, after the firing commenced, , they unpacked the arms, and were engaged in it during the firing. . “About our going to Port Perry, owing to the condition of Captain Hines, who would have bled to death, and others of the wounded, it was thought we should take them where they could secure medical aid. CASE BRODERICK, OF KANSAS. The captain is an intelligent, cool and cour- ageous man, and it would have been better all around had he not been stricken down. He merely said tome, ‘‘I don’t feel like ly- ing here and bleeding to death.” There “were five others besides the captain, one of whom died before he got to the hospital. “After we had put them on the train at Port Perry and made arrangements for them at the hospital we stayed at that place two hour and for breakfast. There were at that time on boat, when we started back, a crew cf sixmen, Colonel Gray, one Pinkerton man and myself. We went back with the intent to land with the barges and stay with them, or go on to town for further commis- sary supplies which had been left behind. In: anticipation we would be fired on we de- termined to fizht under th2 colors and so ran up two flags, one at each end. When we attempted to land alongside the barge we were met with heavy volleys from both sides uf the river, particularly the Home- stead side, and from behind entrenchments. The firing was so heavy the pilot and en- gineer were compelled to leave their posts, and we were compelled to stop the boat, which drifted around at the mercy of the mob which continued firing. This lasted until we drifted away from the point and to some extent out of the range of the guns. The shore was lined with thotisands on the Homestead side, and a good number on the opposite side, all of whom seemed bent on destroying our lives and our boat. Holes in the boat show missiles were fired ~~ from artillery. This fing gradually died away until we wee 1k miles - from Homestead when it ccased. “When we were opnosite the barges, onr watchman, John McCurry, was dangerously wounded by a shot in the groin, and is now in the Allegheny hospital. “I can only say in conclusion that I have never heard or read of any such inhuman action as that of this mob, or a part of it,in shooting at wounded men and doing it with fiendish delight. ‘“\Vhen we were drifting to the point, in point blank range of the mob and only 30 or 40 feet away, our destruction would have been inevitable had we not used means of defense we found on the boat. We did this with such effect that the mob scat- tered and we were enabled to put the pilot and engineer at their posts and so got ” way. Sheriff McCleary was then called and sworn. Chairman Oates—State what you know as to the strike at Homestead, and what course you pursued? Sheriff McCleary—I was notified by Mr. Kuox, attorney for Carnegie. He said 300 men, Pinkertons, had been employed as watchmen. He asked if I would deputize them. I told him I would consult my attor- ney, Later I stated that I would depu tize the men if a contingency arrived ‘when I thought there was danger of damage: to Jroperty or injury to people. 1 told Mr. {nox I thought it would be bes! to get some men from home detective agencies. On July 4th I was called upon by the Carnegie firm for protection. and had a talk with the strikers. The men told me that it was not necessary to place watchinen inthe mills, as the property would not be destroyed. Sheriff McCleary then told about issuing the proclamation ‘on July 5; his visits to Homestead; and his futile efforts to raise a posse. said 23 citizens reported on Thursday » ing and 29 on Friday. al he sheriff gave a history of his correspon dence with the governor. He said that after it was impossible ito raise Es J to raise a posse, he per-' mitted affairs to rémain quiet during Sawur- day and Sunday, when he telegraphed to the Pg I went to Homestead the treatment of his deputies. ie governor: to’ call out -the He rejected the offer, because the men had been locked out, and did not “think them the proper persons to place on guard. Chairman Oates—Now, state what you know about sending the Pinkerton zien to Homestead. ; MeCleary—Mr. Knox, after I bad ‘old him I had been up there, said they were going to send up the Pinkertons. I advised zgainst doing so. Mr. Knox then asked to save Col. Gray sent with the Pinkerton detectives. 1 then consented and sent Col. Gray. My instructions were that if the Pinkertons re- sisted that they back out. Mr. Boatner—Did you instruct Col. Gray to deputize the Pinkertons? Sheriff McCleary—I did not in any way. I was not called upon until July 4 to raisea posse comitatus. Mr. Boatner— What was Mr. Gray sent with these men for? FE. B. TAYLOR, OF OHIO. Sheriff McCleary—To preserve the peace. He had not authority to deputize the men. He had suthority to demand peace as a deputy sheriff. Mr. Boatner—Did you make any actual effort to put Mr. Carnegie into possession of his mills? Sheriff McCleary—I was not able to make an effort. My 12 deputies were pushed away from the works by 2,000 men.. Mr. Broderick—Did you notify the strikers that vou would take possession of the works? Sheriff McCleary—I did. I teld the men that I would send about 50 deputies to guard the mills. : The Sheriff said he had given Col. Gray authority control of the Pinkertons in the event of a retreat being necessary. Mr. Bynum—You did not go to Homestead until after the trouble on the day the Pink- erton men went there? Sheriff ea went to Homestead about midnight eenaday, The Pinker- tons were then in a rink. I could not get a hossee and 1 would not have had influence 0 stop the trouble. My presence, as sheriff, would not have had any influence upon the men at Homestead. Thesheriff was asked why he could not get a posse comitatus. : + Suppose the citizens were afraid of being illed?’’ was the reply. Mr. Bynum remarked that the people of Allegheny county did not seem to be of a warlike nature. “The sheriff ‘then left the stand. President William Weihe was next called. Questioned by Chairman Oates he described at some length the scale arrangement which had been in existence previously and also the scale which has caused the present dis- pute. He said the time the scale expired was of vital importance to the men.. In reference to the company’s claim that with new machinery which was to be put in the ;men would be able to make more money, he said he did not know what such machinery was, but at all events the men did not be- lieve that the improvement in the machin- wages. “What is the object of your association ?”’ asked Chairman Oates. ; : “To protect the workmen and in such cases as this to see that they are not im- ‘posed-upon. We makeita point to watch the market and in that way see just how much money we would be entitled to re- ceive.” ! In answer to the question put by Judge Tayloras to what the workmen thought their rights were in regard to taking posses- sion of the mill President Weihe said: “There may be some of the men who think they have the right to take possession of the mill, but that is not due to any teachings of the association.”” He could not enlighten the judge as to how the men justified them- selves in taking such a stand; he merely knew that the men, or certain of them, had stood guard at the mill gates and refused to allow any one to enter. ugh O'Donnell was next called and sworn. Chairman Oatesasked him: “Do you know what new machinery the company intends to put in ?”’ ‘No, sir; there have been no improve- ments in the 190-inch plate mill since it was constructed. It stands to-day as it did on the day it was built.” ‘Was there any order in your lodges to quit work on account of this scale 2” It was understood that we should do so.” “After the mills were shut down, did the workmen take possession of the mills 2?’ ‘We called a mass meeting and the men who were not opposed agreed to stay out. Then the lodges had a joint meeting, and a certain number were appointed by each president to form themselves into an advis- ory committee, of which I was appointed president. We knew that we had to deal with many irresponsible people and we ap- pointed a number of men to guard the prop- erty and see that no one did anv damage to the property of the company. The best men we had formed that advisory committee and the guards were instructed to use moral sua- sion only.” : . “Moral suasion upon whom ?”’ “Upon non-union men. whom we derstood had been engaged.” *Did vou see the sheriff ?’ “Yes, sir; I saw him.” “Did he attempt to gain possession of the works 7"? I don’t know that he did. TIsaw from my room the crowd, and when I went down the street I met Deputy Sheriff Cluley and he asked me to protect him. I escorted him to association headquarters. with the others of the posse, and then decided in the face of the circumstances they had better return to Pittsburg. I will say for myself tnat we did everything to preserve order.” “Do you know whether the persons on the barges or on the banks fired first?’ “1 cannot answer that question.” “How long did the fight continue? ‘About five minutes. “How was the surrender effected?” “I tied a handkerchief on the end of a rifle barrel and waved it over the pile of beams behind which we lay. The men had promised me that in case the Pinkertons surrendered they should not be shown any violence. When I waved my handkerchies one of the guards come ont on the barges and waved his hands. As soon as he grpeared one of our men jumped from e had un- the fire of the Pinkertons. walked down the bank and said to the man who had come out on the barge that I thought the ‘thing had gone far enough and he said he thought it had gone altogether to’ far. men should make an unconditional sur- render and should give up their rifles. While the rifles were being unloaded the confess * that the barges to’ the - rink I am free to march from that night and saw that they gotout of town oiely. : Hi wo Mr. Bodtner—You are 2 ’ workmen, are you no “Yes, Sint. a, people at Homesicad hed 8 ani The Opie. a offere: fur: 0: 00 or 500 men to guard the mill ty. 4 pons ery would make up for the reduction in the ind his barricade and exposéd himself to He then accepted my proposition that his crowd began to assemble on the barges, and during ‘ the | the Pinkerton men were shamefully abused by the crowds, but we took care of them one of the skilled Sy Tet 5 ¥ . adjourned ‘About. what were yc “A bout Sk on montb © At this point the committee until4p. oye «0 te A 3 Burgess John McLuckie of Homestead was the first witness called at the afternoon session, '' ¥ 2 : As “Do you belong to the Amalgamated As- sociation of Iron and Steel Workers?” I do, sir.” “What wages have you earned and re- f $2.25 a n ‘1 suppose an average oO: a day: Mr, cLuckie here answered ee cveral uestions tending to elucidate the points in the new’ proposition of the Carnegie com- pany. He was then asked if be was in Home- stead when the fight occurred on July 6, and replied that he was. ; Ex-Vice President Wm. Roberts of the Amalgamated Association was then sworn. | He was asked: In reply to a question as to whether he nad any statement to make, he said he had heard the question of the scale, etc., discuss- ed in the evidence, but that one vital point had been evaded, and that was the desire to change the scale 0 that it would go into effect the begining of the year. That would be an opportunity to starve the peo- ple into submission. e didn’t know whether the Carnegie people would do it, but other firms standing just as high had taken opportunity to do it. He then explained that there was a class of iron-workers_known as “snowbirds’’ who were loafers. They would work in winter but not in summer. They were a horde of idlers whe dropped into po- sitions in the winter but when spring came uit. These “snowbirds” would be able to x the price of wages the first of the yaar, and the men who were anxious to work the year round would have to accept them. Mr. Roberts added that he thought the questions between labor and capital were bound to come to arbitration as a means of settlement. He had seen that result ap- proaching for some time. Then he was Asked: - “Are you familiar with the pay of em- ployes in other mills?’ “Somewhat.” : Gdns “Is there any difference between them and those at the Carnegie plant?’ = “The wages at the Carnegie plant are 30 or 40 per cent. lower.’ 2 Xe compared the prices paid rollers at Jones & Laughlin’ establishment with those paid at Homestead. At the former place 70 cents a ton was paid rollers, and: at the latter 22 or 23 cents a ton. ‘There was also a difference in favor of Jones & Laughins’ plants by reason of the machinery used. More work could be done there and it conld be done easier. In certain lines, Mr. Roberts stated, the rival firm of the Carne- gies only got orders for what that plant couldn’t supply, so that the Carnegie com- pany controlled the market on account of the low wages paid. A roller in the Carnegie mills could make $10 a day, while iu other mills he could make all the way from $25 to $60 a day. Deputy Sheriff Joseph H Gray was then put on the witness stand. He was asked: : “Have you at any time acted as deputy sheriff 2’ “I commenced as deputy sheriff on the 5th day of July.” He then ‘went on to tell the story of the incidents leading up to and the trip to Homestead with the Pinkertons. He had gone to Homestead with Sheriff McCleary on the 10:40 train July 5, and remained with him until 2 o’clock, and returned to the city. After describing the reception at Homestead, he stated that the Pinkertons were not depu- tized by the sheriff and that he accom- panied them to preserve peace. The Pink- ertons arrived here about 11:45 and pro- ceeded on their way up the river to Home- stead. He didn't see any arms. Super- intendent Potter was on the boat. Before arriving at Homestead he heard him calling . in to Captains Heine and Morgan, leaders of the Pinkertons, and telling them that in case of trouble they were not to fire their guns except in case of self-preservation or because some one was wounded. On arriving at Homestead whistles were blown and there was a promiscuous firing of small arms. The Little Bill towing the barges ran up pot the barges. There wasa heavy fog on the river, but still the crowds could be seen. Small balls commenced to patter against the boats. The people con- tinued to follow the boats, which gained on them, and the boats reached the landing first. The crowd reached there, however, and tore down the fence, came down over the embankment, and very soon commenc- ed firing. He stated positively that no fir- ing was done from the boat until after con- siderable had been done from the bank. The captains wanted to be sworn in as Dep- uty.Sheriffs but he answered that Mr. Pot- ter was with them. He had heard a Pink- erton man tell the people they must retire. The Pinkerton men then came on the boat, and he saw them armed for the first time. After the first firing all was perfectly quiet, and the Little Bill steamed on up the river. When he returned an hour later the boat was fired on from both sides of the river. It was a half mile from the landing going up that he noticed first the firing on the boat. Very slow progress was made going up. The Pinkertons got on board five miles below here. companied the barges for the Sore of preserving peace. He advised Mr. Potter and the Pinkertons that they had the right only to protect theirlives. He had no op- porunily given him to preserve the peace. e was along to order the Pinkerton men away in case of a conflict. Colonel Gray’s evidence closed the after- noon session, and an adjournment was taken until next morning. THURSPAY'S SessioN.—General Superin- tendent John A Potter, of the Carnegie company, was the first witness and testified as follows: “Tam general superintendent of the Homestead mills; am familiar with the work done there in all departments.” Q.—You may state what work is done by different classes of workmen in the mills at Homestead, beginning with the rollers. : A—The work in our mills: is different from thatdone by any other mill. The rollers do not bave the hiring or discharg- ing of their assistants. That is all done by | thecompany. Each department bas its ‘|'own superintendent. The rollers are re- sponsible for the work, and if improperly done, are not paid for it. Here Mr. Potter described in detail the CHAS, J. BOATNER, OF LOUISIANA. process of making armor plate, stating that with the machinery used ‘by the Carnegie company the cost of production was much less than that of other mills, and the profit to the laborers more. Q.—Mr. Potter. ean you give the com- mittee an approximately correct idea of the cost of production in the different mills? A.—No, sir. : Q.—Can you give us an idea of the labor cost? y A.—No, sir. ki i; ' Ido not see the | books. . ig a He was on the boat and ac- | company's men who had been reduced. ‘that Mr. Frick said that in the 11 thing as to kill, Sam he the Jaborers Ts, b ning in 1889 al 30 "re you familiar with th A—Yes sire vo Q.—And do you know anything. P ed scale, out of which th differences between the Ama sociation and the company arose? ; 3, Sir. é 5 am Q.—Do you know anything abou changes proposed by that scale? a A.—Yes, Sir; the company desired fo make some changes, the chief of were the minimum basis, and the tin which the scale should expire. The ence in the minimum basis was betw: and $23. It was $22 at first, but the com- pany afterward came up to the $23 basis. n the other matter the company desired ti have the scale expire at December 31 of June 30, as is now the case. ‘Four de- partments of the mill were affected’ b proposed changes in the scale. 2 Q.—How many men in the four d 1 ments of the mill were affected by th change? ; 3 A.—About 400, as nearly as I can tell Q.—Why did the company seek these. changes? . :; 2 A.—We were paying more money than eur competitors for the same work. We had machinery that enabled the men to make the highest wages of any laboring ma the country, and we thought it onl that they should be content with less. Q.—You may now state what you ki of the trouble between the company. the Amalgamated Association. ~~ A.—The trouble began some time before the works closed. When it was learned that the company would not sign the | B murmurs of discontent were h around. One morning in the la of June Mr. Frick an the mill yard and foun selvs hanging up. We down. : Q.—Was this trouble about the building the fence around the works? ne ia ; A.—I think not. The fence has bee around the works for three years, but th company has recently acquired other pro; ty which it has also fenced in. 2 : SOME PERTINENT FIGURES. The next witness was Oscar Colbflesh 9-inch plate mi he gave the committee some points actual reductions made -in-the prop scale. He said he'could give some but not the exact percentage. In he: and rolling the reduction amounts to abo 8 per cent. The hard work, he said, con in at the shears and rolls; for instan: table man under the new scale wou his wages reduced from $100 to $67 1, tons, a difference of $33. That job, he sa is cut most of all, although the work; it formally paid 10 cents a $26.50. They propose to pay 8 cents a but reduced to the minimum it bri down to 6 67-100 cents per ton. Under the old scale, the witness testilie that he could make at 1,500 tons, the u work jer ‘month, $145.45. By the scale $49.45. The average amount made year by men in that work was $130, As the shearers, under the scale they received 5 19-100 cents a whereas under the new the rate would 3 27-100 cents a ton, the witness said. labor cost of a ton of steel, said the wil is $150. Se MR. FRISK CALLED AGAIN, = = H. C. Frick was again sworn, the wo GEORGE FRED WILLIAMS, OF MASSACHUSETTS, WHO INTRODUCED THE RESOLUTION. taken in hearing his testimony being quite lengthy. Chairman Oates said he had informed that it was not the highest priced In reply to -ineh plate mill those who received the highest wages would be greatly reduced, though in * some circumstances there was no reduction. In one list there are.25 men who each re- ceive $25 per month and their wages will not be changed. In the plate mill there are'300 men employed and only 82 are affected. In’ the open hearth department No, 2 there are 296 men employed and only 100 men are af- fected. In the No. 1 department there are 172 men employed, 75 of whom only are re- duced, unless they are on the scale and would be affected by the minimum. 1 is 32-inch slabbing mill there are 157 men and 108 are not affected. . Re fe Mr. Broderick—You feel the tariff hasno place in this trouble? **No, sir, not in theleast. Had the duties on the goods we manufacture been reduced it would have had a serious effect on wages. = The price of the products of our mill bas decreased in the past three years. The capi- tal of our company is $25,000,000, of whieh the plants in question are a part.” + © ‘hen Mr. Oates asked Mr. Frick about the cost at Homestead to produce a ton of steel, he refused to answer,upon the ground that it was going into private business. The lower prices, he said, were the result of over production. : _ Mr. Frick was asked if the firm conld have continued under the old scale and still made money. He said that the firm would eventually go into bankruptcy by such a = scale. hand The other witnesses were Charles Mans- field, who said that he saw no weapons up- on the workmen, until firing had begun from the boat, and A. J. Taylor, who testi- fied that he saw firing on both sides. William McQuaide was called next. He said: : ; 1 want to say something about Frick's statements about improved machinery. Our tonnage has not been so great as on doubl turn, No improvements in machinery were | made, but the increase is due to the slabs and three turns. Three hours that used to be lost are now pt in and eight hours added on Sunday. This made their tonnage s great. We work consecutively eight hours, hard and steady. Many of Ye men don's eat at all. I have been sick and couldn’ leave my post. Many men are not paid by tonnage; but all the men in the mill: would be compelled to accept the scale. Potter said he would put under every man he could. It will affect all the men in the mil except common laborers. It will affe nine-tenths of the men, according to Potter. George T. Rylands testified that no im- provements had been made at Homestead. _ Chairman Oates—The committee believes it has finished the investigation so far as this branch of the trouble is concerned, and we will now adjourn. ‘We have the Pinkerton ; system to investigate in this connection, but will have to go to other places. ; i The committee left for Washington, and the report will be submitted to Congress early in the week. 2 Officials of the Amalgamated Association are greatly pleased with the work of the Congressional Committee. They say they were given as fair a show as the Carnegie Steel Company witriesses, and express the opinion that the report of the committee will be in their favor in more ways than one. 5 : : Gop says that to hate 18 ‘th
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