Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-09-06
A QUESTION OF LAW.
The Action for Damages Entered by
the II. C. Frick Coke Company
is A MATTER FOR TIE COURT ONLY,
But Miners Are Excited Lest They Should
Lose Their Wages.
OPINIONS OF THE LABOR OFFICIALS

breach of contract. entered by the II. g.
Frick Coke Company against President
John B. Rae and other officials, as repre-
senting the employees of the Standard Works
of that firm, is exciting widespread interest.
1t is the first time any suit of the sort has
been brought in this district, and the out
come will be watched with concern by every
organized body of workers in the country.
The question so far is purely legal one.
The extended account Of the causes printed
In yesterdays DISPATCH particularized the
reasons which led up to the action. In the
region there is great excitement about the
suit, and no little apprehension among the
men that their wages may be retained in
part satisfaction of the damages, should the
company win its suit. In relation to this
matter the Chairman of the II. C. Frick
Coke Company said yesterday that the
action of the men was distinct breach OF
contract. ''The agreement was entered into"
he continued "by certain officials repre-
senting, mark you, not solely the
organized workers, but sail the
workers." as the agreement specifically
states, and, under it the management were
empowered to employ any persons they
might desire. This constituted deliberate
contract entered into between the men and
us, and their call upon US to discharge GER
tain men who were distasteful to them, and,
in default, serving notice OF cessation of
work without primarily asking for some
consultation or conference on the matter
with US is
A PIECE OF GROSS INJUSTICE,
not to call it by harsher name. THE DIS
PATCH this morning had fair representa-
tion of the case, and there is nothing to add
to its account"
The whole of the region is excited over
the matter. The DISPATCH representa-
tive in Scottdale telegraphed last night that
Sheriff Clawson, of Westmoreland county,
yesterday summoned Master Workman
Kerfoot and Secretary Parker, Mike Dis
men, John Angus, James Orris, John Nc
Aleer, John Mccarthy, James McKenna,
John Rae and Joseph Greer to appear at
the October term of court to answer charges
preferred by the Frick Company Of assump-
sit and trespass. In other words, for viola
tion OF the trade agreement, on the part OF
the labor officials, and damages therefor by
the company. The Sheriff also has warrants
for dozen or so of the Standard employees for
trespass. He will also summon John B.
Rae and Robert Watchorn, OF the United
Mine Workers, and Jodn De Haven, NJ. P.
Kane and James Keegan, the other parties
to the coke region wage agreement. The
story has spread like wildfre over the en-
tire coke regions. Every lotal assembly
has been urged to send a committee to the
convention, which will be held here on
Wednesday next, to take action on the
Standard trouble. Many of the labor lead
ers venture an opinion on the probable out
come OF the trouble, and they all tend to the
conclusion that bitter fight may ensue.
KERFooT's VIEWS.
Master Workman Kerfoot was seen YES
terday afternoon, and stated in an interview
as follows: "The Frick Company have no
grounds whatever. to win a suit for dam
ages against the officials ofthe order, or the
employees at the Standard. The men have
fulfilled the spirit and the letter of the agree
ment and any violation that can be scharged
is positively against the company. 1t is
true that we did serve six days notice,
but the works were closed down before the
notice expired, and even before all of the
ovens were charged on Friday. Some of
the men at the works refused to become
members of the order, and the Knights had
a right to re use to work with them, the
same as the members of the Amalgamated
Association of Iron and Steel Workers,
who pull down the dampers on non-
union men. The legality of their
course is never questioned, and why
should the same course be, when it is taken
by the K. oi L. We recognize the agree
ment as binding, and we will be able to
prove, if called on to do so, that the Frick
Company have frequently violated it. The
position taken has the Endorsement of the |
Executive Board, and the district assem-
Dlies We sincerely hope for peaceful
solution, but are, however, prepared to meet |
;hem in legal battle. We are amply pre-
pared for any and all emergencies.
PETER WISE PREPARED.
Peter Wise was next interviewed. He |
aid: "Mr. Lynch grossly misrepresents |
ne when he says that opposed the actions |
If the men at the Standard in refusing to
Sork with non-union men. I have con- |
Inudlly favored and encouraged the move |
nent for the reason that the coke companies |
ormed the present agreement with the rep
esentatlves of our order, for all the en- |
,loyes, therefore these non-union men should |
become party to it. Iattended no meeting
n hall in Mt. Pleasant, and the meeting |
lie refers to was probably held in an adjoin-
ng field, next to the Standard plant, which
vas addressed by Messrs Kerfoot, Parker
nd others. If had the power to orce this
ompany into submission, would close all
heir plants rather than permit the Standard
miners to be sacrificed as they are at present.
n case of a general strike at the Friek
rorks, 1 am with the men, as have always
een."
Mr.. Parker Endorsed all that had been
aid by Kerfoot and Wise. J. B. Rae is
xpected at Scottdale in few days.
THOUGHT IT BLUFF.
len at the Standard thought the reports in
esterday mornings papers were all bluff.
he men say they do not greatly fear that
he pany will take their wages to paw
he bill for damages. The leaders and men
I'LL claim that the plant was shut down be-
,re the notice expired. and as result the
nmpany lost by this action Whatever
rounds they might have had for a suit for
amages, though that they had any grounds
t all is defautly denied by all of the men.
me indignant man, however, who differed
'om the others, said he had no doubt
nat the men would be obliged to pay out of
heir wages, for the haste of the leaders in
rdering a strike. He said there was a re-
ort that the Frck Company intended firing
D the Leisenring works. and il SO, it would
My precipitate general strike; also, that
lough the men might not be COMPELLED to
ay any damages, as he thought there was
o law that would compel it, still he thought |
lie coke drawers would be compelled to pay
n the coke that was destroyed in the
Yens.
TO RESUME ON MONDAY.