THE HOMESTEAD WRANGLE
C0KOPEE8I0NAL INVESTIGATION
Of th
Labor Troubles at Homestead,
P. Summary of the Proceedings-
rtlJDJMI. or T1IK IXVrSTtoATISn COMMITTLK
The live members of tlin Investigating
Coimniiica who wero appointed by the
House to Investigate thciMnsc of the Ilomn
ktcitcl sttike, nre all gentlemen who have
considerable experience In national ntTalra,
ml none of whom conM bo termed youth
ful. It. I). IIYNt M, OK INtUANA.
Chtvrmim Wii.iiam C. Oatis, of Abbe
ville, Al.i., Is a stalwart, ruddy-faced ami
gray-mtistuchcd cx-Confcderatc army olll
ccr. I If is .17 yrnni old, ami ns .1 lawyer
occupies a conspicuous position in the
Ronth.
Hox. William 1). Ha mm, of Indiana, I
chiefly known among Western oliticiuii
becau-cof the famous tilt ha had with Col
onel Thomas M. Payne, (liiringtho last Con
gress. He is considerably over II feet tall. He
b one ol' the leaders on the Democratic side
In tin! Hi .me.
The lliird Democratic member of the
sommlrtee is Mr. I'mi, .1. Uoatxkk, a na
tive of lj itrtiana. He is tho youngest mem
ber of. ,ie Committee, biing lint 4.1 years
old. lie is considered oao of tho bot law
yers in the South.
F.zm It. Taylor, one of the ltepuhlicaii
members of the committee, is from Warren,
0. lie is line of the notions men in the
House. Ho rarely smiles, lie is also tho
oldest member of the committee, and natur
ally enough the most venerable looking.
'ik ltiiom:iin k, of Holton, Kan., Is an
other good lawyer and tho second Iiepub
llcan mcmlier of the committee. He is a 11a
kivo of Indiana, and is .13 year of ago.
The Committee appointed by Congress t.
rrolie the wage ontrovcrsy between tho
arnegic company and its 'employee at
llomi steel, I a, arrived in I iitiburg on
Tues lay about noon. In the afternoon Ilia
Committee visiteil the scone of lust week s
battle nt Homestead and then returned to
Pit'sbnrg, and ut 7:30 begun an evening
session.
Uoth sides of the controversy were fairly
represented. TI10 II ut witness called was
H. O. l'rick, who win duly worn.
lie testified that about l.l.ivm men
were employed. When aked as to thco.irii
liigs nf the men who were now striking, he
gave data tending to show the ear inns
of the employes directly ttlleetcd in the 110
imb pl.tte null by tho scale. This state
ment included thn name, jiosition and indi
vidual earning of nil t lie men employed in
that department, from the highest puid
down to th lowest. Thomas Williams, a
roller, for the mouth of May, 1X02, earned
(2.14 01. In addition, there 'were two other
rollers as follow-: J. Trolio, worked 22
days, eurncd 27.S fli), and Thomas llotch
kisa, 23 davs. with a total of 270 :io. It.
J,onk. a screw-down, worked 22 days and
earned 177 .11; William McQunidc, same,
23 days, (21 1 0.1: mid F. Plqiert, same, 21
daysJ.' .V. Threo tahlo men, in tho
aame month, earned a follows: First lit
days, llls-i; second. 2Jdavs, 179 5.');third,
22 davs, tll7 i(0. hix liis'ikcrs earned as
follows: r'irst, 21 days. HV.i R0; second,
oamo; thinl and fourth, 22 davs, each
153 tii; liflh 23 days, H.V) i anil sixth, 2:1
days, ti 2. Three front sweepers carueil
res' ectivelv. Ilrst. 22 days, till 4'i; second.
2f days. 10!l; third, 21 davs, lul 2.'), Tho
back sweepers earned: First, ' days.
!)7 lift; seoond, 2.') days. HK) 20: third. 20
dsvs, (in. First shearmen, 24 days,
210 40; second, 22 days, 2.10 4.'); third, 21
davs, $217 .VTf Second hlicurnien, tirst. 24
days, H41 Vi; sccond.2l days, S142 l. third,
24 davs, I2!I (Vi; headers made in the same
month, lust, 24 davs, el'JI li.i; second.
ltW 2.'.; third, 24 days. Stli lit. Second
headers, tho first worked 1H ibiys and earn
ed $:i'l 20; second, 22 days, 12!J 00: third, 2'i
davs, 121 40.
Thero were also in the "llll-inch plato
mill' HI nhear helpers, whose nvcninu
nunilxir of workuiL' davs during May was
calciihitcvl by Mr. l'rick to he about 22, uud
their avru(,'e cariiines were, he should sav,
at least !." each lor that time, eijtht hon'ra
constitiitini' a day's woik. Next came the
beat hers, six in 11 11 111 lier. The first worked
24 nivvs and earned el'.U till; recimd, Si days,
$ltt.i 4."i; third, 22 days, lill . 'Ill: fourth,' 2.'!
days, fimi'i; lift li, 21 days, 178; sixth, 2.1
days. !! 1(1. 1 leathers' helpers, live in
number, whose averuu-e number of days
worked was about 2.1 and whoso average lmy
was about ia.". Tliree lirst trainmen,
average uuinbur of davs wurkeil 2r eacli;
average pay. r.t) each. Three aecnnd train
men who worked on an average 25 dsvs
each and averaged to draw 1(7 each. Four
pull-ups, which Mr. Frick explained, were
hoys and worked by the day, averaged 22
lays each and earned on an average 10 each
per mouth, working days of 12 hours each.
Head aiiourors worked 12 hours per day:
there were live of them. Tho first worked
17 dav and earned H12 0."i; second, 2;i davs
tUtU 7ft; third, 24 days, aid) SO; fourth, '2:1
days, 171 MO; tifth. 23 days. SU0 50; sixth. 23
days, TUMI. Mr. l'rick next enumerated a
listofKaugors. iminters. stainporsaud others
who averaged i days each during Mav, and
whose earnings uvcraged 7u er month.
Ordinary laborers, of w hom 30 are employed
in the lilt-inch mill, are the lowest paid
labor employed in that department, and are
paid by the hour jit the rate of 14c, ten
hours constituting a day'a work. Othur
' who are claused as laborers earn 1 1 70 per
day.
Jude Gates, after a confidential confer
ence with Mr. Kramer, asked Mr. Frick to
late "what scale was proposed by your
sompany to those laborers which they re
jected." Mr. VnJk in rcplj stated that in January
f this year the concern had requested the
Amalgamated association to turn its atten
tion to the consideration of a scale to take
the place of the one expiring 011 June Ho,
but that they did not succeed In getting the
men to take the mutter up until s iine time
in March, when the association presented a
scale covering almost all of the departments
t Homestead, and which in utmost every
instance called for an advance. (Several eon.
feieuure were hud after that and up to May J
v, uiii hunt i'i inu i Jupaiiu 1J ur
rivesinny understanding, whereupon the
Uarutt company propuicd a scale for tu
4?
V4 a w
open hearth furnace Non I and 2, Hie 11ft
Itich plate mill and the .12-Inch slabber'
mill four departments In which a change
In the former scale of wages was contempla
ted. Wages In all other departments were
to remain the same. One further change
was provided for in the scale ns prepared by
the company and that was that the scnlo
should end with the calendar year, and not
In tlie middle, as formerly. ' The change
made in tho scale prepared by the company
aMectcd only about H25 men; 2t of these
would have their waijes aflis led by the ton
mice, but the total number would lie nflect
ed by the change lit thn minimum price nf
billets, I' mler the scale which expired June
.'10 last, in cae billels sold below 2i wages
did not go down correspondingly, and Mr.
Frick added in mi impressive manner,
"There was no maximum. In reply to a
question as to the cost of manufacturing,
Mr. Frick could not exactly state what it
was. Congressman Taylor, referring to Mr.
Frirk's statement that the only ic luctions
proposed would ntlect only about JWi men,
wanted to know n hat reductions tho balance
of the H.i men emyloyedat Homestead
would have to stand.
"No reduction," answered Mr. Frick,
"and we did not propose to mako any
changes."
The most Interesting point In the exami
nation was the account of Mr. Frick tegaril
ing the employment of the I'inkcrton men.
lie said that the firm, after the conference
011 June 2i. decided to hire the men, as the
experience they bad several years ago con
vinced them that the sherill was powerless.
On June 2" he sent a I' tter to liobert A.
I'inkerton asking for .H guards. Ho slated
in the letter, which was rend to the congres
sional committee, that he was not desirous
tbpt the men should be armed, as lie did
not think there would beany trouble. The
utmost serrecy was used in making the ar
rangements with I'iukertou. Mr. Frick was
iiskcd what the motive was and replied:
" I he experience of three years ago."
"Had anything been said or don" by your
former em ploy 1 s that tt.ey intended an as
sault on the works '."'
"Nothing special, except wo knew their
tactics."
Mr. Dates You erected a slockado about
your works, did yon not?
"Wo had that finished over a mouth be
fore, and had had it in contemplation for a
long time."
"It mace the place more easily defend
ed?" "That's a fact."
"Pid you make other arrangements for
the reception of the I'iukcrlons '!"
"We in ranged with dipt. Ibslgers for
lv ats and barges. Wo thought we could
hind ri'.'ht on our properly from the hunt
mid thereby avoid any isissible collision, re
sulting troiu the transporting of the guards
in trains."
"In anticipation of trouble were not tho
barges lined V '
"No, sir."
Mr.llratner next wanted lo know whether
or not Mr. Frick had thought the sheriff
was nble to send enough men to Homesienil
to protect the company a property Mr. Frick
said in reply that, while he wiis siilislie l
that the shcritl was perfectly willing and
anxious to secure the reipiisil? number of
men to protect the works at Homestead, bo
was a'so satisfied that tho shcritl would not
be able to do so.
Vi i iinksiiav Sfvsion. When the commit
tee met this morning Mr. Frick was called
again. He could not slate definitely
whether or not the riiikcitons were to come
armed, although he stated he was salisiieil
that he did not stipulate that they should
ho armed. Mr. Frick wss asked about the
wages paid at the Carnegie mill". He re
plied that from the best information ho
could obtain lie believed the wages paid
were higher than at any other place!
Oatcs What is the actual cost of making
a ton of stpel billets without taking into
consideration the interest on investment?
A. I don't think that is n fair question.
Oatcs If you object to answering, I will re
fer it to thecommittee for consultation.
Taylor Would yon answer the question
taking in all expenses?
A. I decline,
Iloatnnr Von don't care to give away any
of the secrets of the trade?
tlates Would you state the labor cost?
A. That is the same oucMiun.
.Mr' llyiiuin The new scale would result
In a reduction of IS per cent, to the lloinu
stcail men '.'
Mr. Frick Yes. sir; but I am conlldent
that with the new machinery the wages of
the men would be increased!
Mr. iWnutu During the winter months
the work is not as steady ?
Mr. Frick I think I he average number of
working dnys during a year is 270. In some
depart inputs the time may be less.
Cunt. Kislgers w as called and sworn. Ho
said lie was a stcamhoatman.
Chairman Oatcs Captain llodgors, what
do yon know about tho transportation of
l'iiikertnu men to Homestead?
Captain Hodgcrs said he could answer
that question better by sulnuittiiig u state
ment which be hud fiirninlicd a morning
paper of July 11.
Chairmun 'Oiitcs told Captain Hodgcrs that
he could read the statement a part of his
testimony. The Captain then read the arti
cle. Jt was as follows:
"On the 2.1th of June Mr. If. C. l'rick
sent for me and made arrangements lor the
transportation, 011 a date to l-e thereafter
given, of 300 or more men, with their
subsistence, from a point not then deter
mined on the river to the Csrnegie works
at Homestead, lie said they were to act
as watchmen in the works and that thev
would be under the direction of the sheriff
of the county. He said nothing about anv
apprehended trouble. I procisdod at onc'o
to tit up tho barges for the accommodation
of this number of men bv making berths
and putting on provisions. Mr. Frick said
he intended to house the men on the bouts
and make them a hotel or hoarding house.
Jie also ur ranged with a supply bouse
adjac ent to my oltice to taku such 'supplies
on my boats to the men us necessity re
quired. "On Tuesday. Julvfl. oarlv in the dav. I-
pot orders from Mr. Frick to send iny boat.
to Puvis islands dam to met a train ttuit
would arrive thero between in anil tl o'clock
with these men on board, 1 was also unti
tled from Mr. Frick that a deputy sheriff
would meet me ut the dam to take charge of
the expedition.
w. c. OA-rs, or ai aiiama.
"I went down with our two small tow
boats, each In charge of a barge, and arrived
at the duni ubuut 10 o'clock. Was there met
by Mr. Joseph Oray, who hud a letter of in
troduction to me. stating he was to accom
pany me as a deputy sheriff. We had to
wait half an our for the arrival of the
train 011 the Ft, Wayne road with the men
on board. did not count lbin, but was
told by tho e in charge there were 300. They
seemed to be a nioe-looklng set of men and
intelligent, well dressed and behaved. They
SHemedto be undur the charge of four men
who oc'ed as captains. The meu talked
freely of going to Carnegie's to act as wnuli
men and seuiuat to have no idea of bclim
euguged in a work of danger. On the way .
upfront Paris Island dam they seemed
more Intent on getting something to eat and
bunking than anything else. Two-thirds
of the men were asleep until the tiring on
the boats commenced near Homestead.
"I was on the Utile Kill, and when we
got near the lock, the barge In fact helng in
the lock, we beard a distress signal from
the Tide, and I directed the Little Dill to go
back and ascertain what was the matter.
When we got to the railroad bridge we
found the'lide's machinery disabled so she
could not proceed. We then took her bargo
in tow ami proceeded to Homestead with
both in tow of the Utile Hill.
"Kverythlng was quiet at the lock, nnd
nothing occurred nf an unusual character
until wo woro within nbont two mile of
Homestead when we heard many whistles
blowing which impressed us wild the idea
wo were exta-cted. As we nenreil Home
stead daylight was breaking and wo could
see the crowd gathering on the Homestead
shore. When within one tube of Home
stead and until we reached the landing thev
were tiring into us. the balls striking the
pilot home and chimneys, but hurting no
one 1111 to that time. We proceeded to land,
just uoove the railroad bridge, on tho prop
erty of the CurnegieNtcel Company, which
was fenced in. Wo went right on against
the shore and wero thero met by an armed
inoh, I think about 50 to loo. whose num
bers were being reinforced bv the crowd 011
the river bank following the boat, until
there was probably a thousand there within
live minutes after we made the landing.
"The Ilrst crowd attacked and tiled to
stop our tying up and putting out a stago
plank. As they came it was something like
n charge over the river bank with tho evi
dent Intent to get on the barges. They got
011 the stage ami were met by the l'lnkpttoii
men. One young man threw himself Hat
oil the stage when Captain Hincs of the
l'inkertoti corps went forward to push him
oil'. His lying there looked like a piece of
bravado, mid the others were trying to
crowd in over ami puss him. While another
I'inkerton man was endeavoring to keep tho
crowd back with 1111 our, the maii lying on
the landing stave tired tho Ilrst shot at thn
captain I mean the tirst shot that
did any damage wounding him in thu
thigh.
"Immediately the crowd begun firing
from tho bank, as well us on the river's
edge near the barge. Two men of the I'iuk
ertons were shot at this time, at the head of
the barge, and one was resirted to mo to
have been shot at tho stern of the boat. All
this occurred before tho I'inkerton meu
tired, but Immediately upon il they llred 11
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.
"We then put out our stage, and the llrlng
censed, v illi the exception of an no. asioiuil
shot, until wo left to go to Port Perry with
the wounded. Our time and theirs' the
next two hours was spent ill taking care of
the wounded.
"The arms that the I'inkerton men had
were sent in advance, and were put on the
boat with other stores, before they arrived.
On tho way up. alter the liring commenced,
they unpacked the arms, and were engaged
in it during the liring.
"About our going to Port Perry, owing to
the condition of Captain lline.'whn would
have bled to death, ami others of the
wounded, it was thought Ave should take
them whcri! they could secure medical uid.
J.
task HitonniK k, or Kansas.
The captain Is an Intelligent, cool and cour
ageous man, uud it would have been better
all around bail ho not been stricken down.
Ho merely said tome, "I don't feel like ly
ing here and bleeding to death." There
w re live other besides tho captain, one of
whom died before be got to the hospital.
"After we had put them on the train at
Port Perry and made arrangements for them
at tho hospital wo stayi'dat that place two
hour and for breakfast. There were at that,
time on boat, when we started back, a crew
of six men, Colonel Oray, 0110 Piiikerion
man and myself. We went buck witli the
intent to hind with the barges and stay with
them, or ronti to town for further commis
sry supplies which had been left behind. In
anticipation we would hn tired on we de
termined to light under tin colors and so
ran up two (lags, one at each end. When
we attempted to laud alongside the bargo we
were met with heavy 'olleys from both
sides i.f tho river, particularly the Home
stead side, and from behind entrenchments.
Tho tiring was so heavy tho pilot anil en
gineer werecompelled to leav-? their posts,
and we wero compelled to stop tho boat,
which drifted around ut the mercy of tho
mob which continued tiring. This lusted
until we drifted awuy from the point and
to someextent out of tho range of tho gnus.
The shore was lined with thousands 011 tho
Homestead side, and a good number on the
opposite side, all of whom seemed bent on
destroying our live and our boat. Holes
in the boat show missiles were tired from
artillery. This tiring gradually died uwuy
until we we -c l miles from Homestead
when it ciucil.
"When we wero opposite the barge, our
watchman, John Mct'urry. was (humorously
wounded by a shot in the groin, uud is now
in the Allegheny hnspitul.
"1 can only say in conclusion that I have
never heard or read of uuv such Inhuman
action us that of this mob, or a part of it, in
shooting at wounded men uud doing it with
tieudish delight.
"When wo wore drifting to the point, in
point blank rung 01' tho mob and only 30
or 40 feet awuy, our destruction would huve
been inevitable hud we not used means nf
defense we found on tho bout. We did
this w ith such ellect that the mob scat
tered und we wero enabled to put the
pilot uud engineer ut their poits and so got
way."
Hliorlff MoC'leury was then culloil and
sworn.
Chairman Oatcs State what you know as
to the strike at Homes toad, and what course
you pursued'.'
riheritl Mct.'leary I was notilied by Mr.
Knox, uttorney fur Curnegio, He said 300
men, Pinkertous, hail been employed as
watchmen. Ho asked if 1 would deputize
them, 1 told him i would consult my attor
ney, Later I suited that 1 would ilcpu
ti.e the men if a contingency arrived when
I thought there was danger of damage to
tiropcrtyorinjuryto fieople. I told Mr.
Cnox I thought it would be best to get some
men from home detective agencies. On
July 4th 1 was cilled upon by the Curnegio
ririn for protection. 1 went to Homestead
and hud a tulk with the strikers. Tho men
told me that it was not. necessary to place
wulchinen in the mills, as the proper! y would
not he destroyed.
Hburiff McCleury then told about Issuing
the proclamation 011 July 5; his visits to
Homestead; the treatment of his deputies
and his futile efforts to raise a posse. He
said 23 citizens reported 011 Thursday uio til
ing and 20 on Friday.
The sheriff gave a history of his correspon
dence with the governor. He said that after
it was Impossible to ruise a posse, he ad
mitted alfuirs to remain quiet during Hutur
duy undsiuiiday, when he telegraphed to the
governor to call out the tnllltla. The
people at Homestead had offered to furnish
PXIor 800 men to guard the mill property.
Ho rejected the offer, because he knew
the men had been locked out, and did not
tliiuk them the proper persons to place on
guard.
chairman Oatcs Now, state what you
know about sending the I'inkerton uen to
Homestead.
Mct.'leary Mr. Knox, lifter I had iold him
I had been up there, said Iher were going to
send upthe Piiikertons. I advised against
doing so. Mr. Knox then akcd to have Col.
(iruy sent vltli the I'inkerton detectives.
1 then consented end sent Col. dray. My
Instruction were that If tho Piiikertons re
sisted that they back out.
Mr. Houl tier Did you Instruct Col. (fray
to deputize the Piiikertons 1
HherilT McCleury I did not in any wav. I
was not called iiioti until July 4 to raises
posse comltiitits.
Mr. iluatner What wa Mr. Gray sent
with these men for I
lip
R, H. TAYLon, OF onto.
Sheriff Met'lesry To preserve thn peace.
He had not authority to deputize tho men.
He hud authority to demand peace aa a
deputy shcritl.
Mr.'lioatuer Hid you make anv actual
effort to uit Mr. Ciitnegio into possession of
his mills'.'
Sherlfl McClearv I was not able to make
an effort. My 12 deputies were pushed away
from the works by 2.000 men.
Mr. Hroderick I lid you notify the striker
that von would take possession of the works?
Sheriff McClearv I did. I told the men
that I would send about SO deputies to guard
the mills.
The Sheriff said be had given Col. (Irav
authority control of the Piiikertons in tho
event nl a retreat being necessary.
Mr. Itvniim You did not go to Homestead
until after the trouble on the day thu I'ink
erton men went there?
Shoritl' McClearv I went to Homestead
about midnight Wednesday. Tho Pinker
tons were then In rink, i could not get a
iiossee and I would not have hud iiilliieucn
lo stop the trouble. My presence, as sheriff,
would not have hud any influence upon tho
men at Homestead.
ThesherilV was asked why ho could not
get a posse comitatus.
"Suppose the citizens were nfruid of being
killed." was the reply.
Mr. Ityniim remarked that the people nf
Allegheny county did not seem to lie of a
warlike nature. 'Theshcriir then left tho
stand.
President William Welhe was next called.
Questioned by Chairman Outea he described
at some length the scale arrangement which
had been In existence previously ami ulso
the scale which bus caused the present dis
pute. He said the Minn the scale expired
was of vital importance to tho men. In
reference to the company's claim that with
new machinery which was to he put in thn
men would be able to innke more money, lie
said he did not know what such machinery
was. hut at all events the men did not ho
lieve that tho improvement in tho machin
ery would muku up for tho reduction in tho
wnces
"What is the object of your association ?"
asked Chairman Dates.
"To protect the workmen and In such
cases us this to see that they are not im
posed upon. We make it a point to watch
tho market and In that way see just how
much money we would bo entitled to re
ceive." Ill answer to tho question put by Judge
Taylor as to what the workmen 'thought
th'ir rights were ill regard to taking posses
sion of the mill President Wei ho said:
"There may he some of the men who think
they have the right to take possession of the
mill, hut that Is not duo to uuv teaching of
tho association." Hn could hot 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, hsil
stood guard ut the mill gates uud refused to
allow any one to enter.
Hugh o llonncll wus next called and
sworn. Chairman Onto asked him:
"Do you know what new machinery the
company intends to put in '!"
"No. sir; there have been no Improve
ments in the ltm-luch plate mill since it was
constructed. It stands to-day us it did on
the day it was built."
"Wss thero any order In your lodges to
quit work on account of this scale '!"
"It was understood that wcshould do so."
"After the mills were shut down, did tho
workmen take possession of tho mills ?"
"Wo called a mass meeting und the men
who were not opposed agreed to stay out.
Then tho lodge hud a joint meeting, ami a
certain number were appointed by each
president to form themselves into an advis
ory committee, nf which I was apHiinlod
president. Wo know that we bad to deal
with many irresponsible peonla and we ap
pointed a number ot men to guard the prop
erty und see that no 0110 did uuv duuiage to
the property of the company. The best men
we had formed that advisory committee und
the guards were instructed to use moral sua
sion only."
"Moral suasion upon whom ?"
"I'lHin non-union men. whom wo had un
derstood had beon engaged."
"Did you see the sheriff i"
"Yes, sir; I saw him."
"Did he attempt to guin possession of the
works ?"
"I don't know that he did. I saw front
my room the crowd, and when I went down
the street I met Deputy Sheri IT Cluley ami
he asked mo to protect him. I escorted him
to association headquarters with the others
of tho posse, und then decided ill thu face of
the circumstances they had better return to
Pittsburg. I will suy for myself tout wo did
everything to preserve order."
"Do you know whether tho persons ou
the barges or on the hunks tired tirst'.'"
"1 cannot answer that question."
"How long did the tightcoiitinuo?
"About live minutes.
"How wus the surrender effected?"
"I tied a handkerchief on the end of a
riflo burrel and wuved it over the pile of
beams behind which we luy. The men hud
promised me that in case tho Piiikertons
surrendered they should not bo shown any
violence. When I wuved my huiidkrrchie
one of tlieguurds come out on the barges
and wuved his hands. As soon as ha
uptienrcd one of our men jumped from
behind his barricade and exposed himself to
the lire of the Pinkortons. I wulked down
the bank and said to tho man who had
come out 011 the barge that I thought the
thing hud gone fur enough and lie said
he thought it bad gone altogether to lar.
He then accepted my proposition that his
men should make an unconditional sur
render and should give up their rllles.
While the riilee wore being unloaded the
crowd liegan to assemble 011 the barges, and
I am free to confess that during the
march from the barges to the rink
the I'inkerton men were shamefully abused
by the crowds, hut we took care of them
that night and saw that they got out of town
safely."
Mr. Hoatner You are one of the skilled
workmen, are you .not?"
"Vvl. if." , I
"About what wero your wages?"
"About $144 per month."
At this point the committee adjourned
OntlUp. m.
Hurgess John McT.uckle of Homestead was
the Ilrst witness called at tho afternoon
session,
"Do you belong to the Amalgamated As
oclation of Iron uud Steel Workers?"
"I do, sir."
"What wages have you earner and re
ceived?" "I suppose an average of tl 2.1 a day."
Mr. Mchuckin hero answered several
qui st Inns tending to elucidate thn point in
the new proHsliion of the Curnegio com
pany. He was then asked if he was in Home
stead when the fight occurred on July 0, and
replied that hn was.
Kx-Vice President Win. Roberts of the
Amalgamated Associution was then sworn.
He wa asked:
In reply to a question a to whether he
had any statement to make, he said be hud
henrd the question of the scale, etc., discuss
ed III tho evidence, but that one vital point
hud heen evaded, und that wa the desire to
change the ciile -o that It would go Into
effect the beginning of the year. That
would be uu opiKirtunity to starve the tro
pin into submission. He didn't know
whether the I arnegie nple would do it, but
other firms standing just ns high hud taken
opportunity to do It. He then explained thnt
there was a class of Iron-workers known ns
"snowbirds" who were loafers. They would
work In w inter but not in summer. They
were a bnrdo of idlers who dropped Into po
sitions in the winter hut when spring cainn
iiit. These "snowbirds" would be able to
fix thn price or wages the first of tho year,
and the men who worn anxious to worg the
year round would have tu uccept them.
Mr. Hubert added that he thought the
question between labor and capital were
bound Income to arbitration a a means of
settlement. He bud seen that rtsult ap
proaching fur sumo time. Then he was
asked:
"Are yon familiar with tho pay of em
ployes in other nulls?"
"Somewhat."
"Is there any difference between them
and those ut the Carnegie plant?"
"The wages at the Curnegio plant are 30 or
40 per cent, lower."
He compared the prices paid rollers nt
Jones A Uiiighlins' establishment with
those paid ut Homestead. At the former
place o cents a ton was paid roller, and
at the hitter 22 or 2.1 cents a ton. Thero
was also a difference in favor of Jones it
l.aughiiis' plants by reason of the moehiuery
Used. Moro work could be done there and
it could be done easier. In certain lines. Mr.
Huberts stated, tho rival lirm of tho fume
gies only got orders for what that plant
couldn't supply, so that tbeCnriiegir.com
punv controlled tho market on account of
the low wages paid. A roller in the Curnegio
mills could make elO a day, while in other
mills lie could mako nil tlie way from t'Si to
(HO 11 day.
Deputy Sheriff Joseph II Oray was
then put on the witness stand. Ho was
asked:
"Huvo you at uny timo acted as deputy
sheriff?" 1 3
"I commenced as deputy sheri IT on the. 1th
dav of July."
He ilien'went on to tell tho storv of tho
Incidents lending up to and the trip to
Homestead with the Piiikertons. lie had
gone to Homestead with Sheriff McCleury
on tlie 10: 10 train July ft, and remained with
hint until 2 o'clock, and returned to the city.
After describing the reception at Homestead,
he stated that the I'inkerton were not deuil-
uzeq ny 1110 shenii ami that Hn accom
panied them to preserve eace. The Piiik
ertons arrived hern about 11:4,1 and pro
ceeded mi their way up the river to Home
stead. Ho didn't see anv arms. Super
intendent Potter wa 011 tho boat. Ilet'ore
arriving at Homestead he henrd him culling
In to Captains Heine and Morgan, leaders of
the Piiikertons, and telling them that in case
of trouble they were not to lire their guns
except In case of self preservation or because;
some one was wounded.
On arriving at Homestead whistles were
blown and thero was a promiscuous firing
of small arms. The Little Hill towing the
barges run up past the barges. There was a
heavy fog oil the river, but still the crowds
could bo seen. Small balls commenced tu
palter against the boats. 1 hn people con
tinned to follow the boats, which gained on
them, nnd the boats reached the landing
first. The crowd reached there, however,
nnd tore down the fenco, came down over
the embankment, and very soon commenc
ed firing. He stated positively that no tir
ing was done from the boat tuitil alter con
sidernhle had been done from tho bunk.
The captains wanted to Lo sworn In as De
uty Sheriffs but he answered that Mr. Pot
ter wus with them. He hud heard a Pink
er! on man tell the people tin y must retire.
The I'inkerton men then nunc on the bout,
nnd he saw them armed for the first time.
After the Ilrst tiring ull was perfectly quiet,
and tho Little Hill steamed on up the river.
When he returned an hour inter tho boat
wus tired on from both sides of tho river.
It was a half mile from the landing going
up thnt he noticed first the firing on the
bout. Very slow progress was made going
up. The Pinkertous got on board five miles
below here. Ho was on the boat and ac
companied the barecs for tho purpose of
pieserving peace. Ha advised Mr. Potter
and the Pinkertous that they had tho right
only to protect their lives. Ho hadnoo-
iiortnnity given him to preserve the peace,
lo was along to onlt r tho I'inkerton men
away in case ot'acontlirt.
Colonel (tray's evideuco closed the after
noon session, and an adjournment was tukeu
until next morning.
Tiii iisi'ay's Skssion. (ioneral Superin
tendent John A Potter, nf tho Curnegio
company, was the first witness und testiliod
as follows:
"I um genernl superintendent of the
Homesteud mill: am familiar with the
work dime there in all departments."
Q. You may state what work is done by
different classes of workmen in the mills ut
Homestead, beginning with the rollers.
A The work in our mills is different
from that done by uny other mill. The
rollers do not huvo tho hiring or discharg
ing of their assistants. That is ull dona by
thn company. F.uch department has its
own superintendent. Tho rollers are re
sponsible for thn work, and if improperly
done, urn not paid for it.
Hera Mr. Potter described In detail the
process of making armor plate, atuting that
with the machinery used uy tho Carnegie
company the cost of production was much
less than that of other mills, und the profit
to tho laborers more.
Q. Mr. Potter, cun you give the com
mittee uu approximately correct idea of
thn cost of production iu the different
mills?
A, No, air.
Q C'au you give ui an Idea of the labor
cost?
A. No, sir. I do not tea the compauy'a
books.
CIIAS. J. BOATNKR, OF LOI'ISIA.NA.
Q. We have In evidence the scale of wage
tinder which thn laborer worked for threat
years, beginning In IKWt and ending on June
30. Are you familiar with that?
A. Yes, sir.
Q. And do you know anything about th
proposed scale, out of which the present
differences hetwoeii the Amalgamated as
sociation and tho company arose?
A. Ye, sir.
Q. Do you know anything about the
changes proposed by that scale?
A. Yes, Hir; tho compnnv desired to
mako some changes, the chief of which
were the minimum basis, and tho time at
which tho scale should expire. Thn differ
ence in the minimum basis was between (23
and (2.1. It wa (22 at first, but tho com-
rany afterward came up to the (il basis,
n the other matter the company desired to
havo the seals expire at Decemb'orSl instead
of June 30, ns is now tho case. Four de
partments of the mill were affected by the
proposed change in tho scale,
Q- How many men in the four depart
ments of tho mill were affected by this
change?
A. About 4'in, a nearly n I can tell.
Q Why did tho company seek these
changes?
A. We were pnvlng more money thnn onr
competitors for tho samn work. Wo hail
machinery that enabled the men to make
the highest wagrs of any laboring man In
tbecountrv, nnd we thought it only fair
thnt they should be content with less.
Q You mny now state what you know
of the trouble between tho company and
the Amalgamated Association.
A. The trouble began some time before
the works closed. When it was learned
that the comiisny would nut lgn tho scale,
murmurs of discontent were beard all
around. One morning in the latter part
of June Mr. Frick nnd myself went into
tho mill yard and found elllgics of our
selvs hanging up. Wo hud them torn
down.
Q. Was this troubleabotit the building of
tho fence around tho works?
A. I think not. The fence has been
around the works for three years, but the
company has recently acquired other proiicr
ty which it has nl-o fenced in.
somk PKimxKvr rtut itr.s.
The next witness wa Oscar Colbflcsh nn
emplovo of the HtMiich plate mill. Hat
testimony was Imimrtant from the fact that '
ho gave the committee some points as to the
actual reductions made in the proposed
scale. He said he could give some figures,
but not the exact percentage. In heating
and rolling the reduction amounts to about
H ier cent. The hard work, he said, comes
in at thn shears and rolls: for instance, the
table man under the new scale would have
bis wage reduced from (inn to (07 on I.ihmi
tons, a difference ofCi.1. That job, he said.
Is cut most of all, although the hardest
work; it formally paid 10 cents a ton at
(20.O0. They propose to puv 8 cents a ton,
but reduced to tho minimum it brings it
down to 0 07-11 si cents is-r ton.
I niler the old scale, tho witness test i lied
thnt ho could mako ut l.ftuO tons, tho usual
work jar month. (14.1.45. lly the new
scale lie would get C12, a reduction of
(10.4.1. Tho averugo amount made last
year by men In that work was (l.'io, he
stated. As the shearers, under tho old
scnlo they received ft 10 100 cents a ton,
whereas under tho new the rato would be
8 27-luO cents a ton, tho witness said. The
labor cost of a ton of steel, said the witness,
is (1.10.
sin. rnicg callkp aoai.
II. C. Frick was again sworn, tho time
ononor rnrn William, or marsvcucsktts,
WHO INTROIU'CKK T1IK KKSOI.I TIOX.
taken in hearing his testimony being quite
lengthy, chairman Oatcs said he had been
informed that it was not tho highest priced
men who had been reduced. In reply to
that Mr. Frick said that in the 110-incn
plate mill tl.oso who received tho highest
wages would he greatly reduced, though in
some circumstances there was no reduction.
In one list there are 21 men who each re
ceive (2.1 per month and their wages will not
be changed. In the plate mill there are 300
men employed and only .12 are affected. In
the oien hearth department No. 2 there are
2X1 meu employed and only 100 men are af
fected. In the No. 1 department thore are
172 men employed, 7ft of whom only are re
duced, unless they are on the scala and
would be affected tiy the minimum. In the
32-inch slabbing mill there are ir7 moil and
loll are not affected.
Mr. Itroderick You feel the tariff bus no
place in this trouble?
"No, sir, not In tbeloast. Had tho dutiee
nn the goods we manufacture been reduced
it would have bad a serious effect on wages.
The price of the products of our mill baa
ilecrea'cd iu the past three years. The capi
tal of our company is 21,onn,no0, of which
thn plants in question are a part."
When Mr. Dates asked Mr. Frick about-1
tho cunt at Homestead to produce a ton of
steel, ho refused to unswer.iipon the ground
that it was going into private ousiness. The
lower prices, he suid, Avero the lesult of over
pr'Hiot turn.
Mr. Frick was asked if the firm could
have continued under tho old scale and still
made money. Ho said that the firm would
eventually go Into bankruptcy by such a
scale.
Tho other witnesses were Charles Mans
field, wdio said that he saw nn weapons up
on the workmen, until tiring had begun
from the boat, and A. J. Taylor, who testi
fied that lie saw tiring on both sides.
William McQuuide wus culled next. He
said:
I want to say something about Prick's
statements about improved muchinery. Our
toiinuge has not been so great as on double
turn. No improvements iu machinery were
made, but the increase is duo to tho slabs
and three turns. Three hours that used to
be lost are now put in und eight hours added
on Sunday. This made their lotmagn so
f:rout. We work cousecutivuly eight hours,
lurd und steady. Many of tho men don't
eat at ull. 1 huve been sick and couldn't
leave my post. Many men ure not puid by
tonnage, but all the men in the mill wouhk I
bo compelled to uccept the scale. Potter J
i. 1 1 .....1... 1. v
bhiii no nuiini Mb uiim-r uvi-iy until iia
could. It will affect ull the men in the mill
except common laborers. It will affect
nine-tenths of thn meu, according to Potter.
Oeorge T. Kylands testified that no im
provements had been made ut Homestead. '
Chairman Outea The committee believes
it has finished the investigation so fur as this
brunch of the trouble is concerned, and we
will now adjourn. We have the I'inkerton
system to investigate in this connection, but
will have to go to othor places.
The committee left fur Washington, and
the report will be submitted to Congress
curly in tho woek.
officials of the Amalgamated Association
aregieutly plonscd with thu work of the
CoiiKressiimul Committee. They suy they
were given as fair a show as tlio Carnegie
rlteel Company witnessed, uud cxprets the
opinion that the report of the committee
will be iu their favor iu moro ways than
0110.
Ooo says that to bate Is the saint
thing as to kill.
-I