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