Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-30
SOUR ON THE SCALE.
Carnegie, Phipps & Co. Give Notice
of a Change at Homestead.
SLIDING BASIS TO BE ABANDONED,
Mr. Costello Almost Admits That the Miners
Want 10 Cents More.
THEY WILL HOLD A CONFERENCE TO-DAY

A sensation was created in Braddock at 5
o'clock last evening when the announce
ment was made that the firm of Carnepie
Pros & Co. had given notice that they de-
sired to make change in the sliding scale
at the Edgar Thomson Steel Works. This
was in pursuance of an agreement made
with the men three wears ago, but it came
in the nature of surprise for all that. No
tices were posted TO this effect in several
conspicuous places about the mill and
created a stir among the employees OF the
great plant.
The notice was headed with copy of the
original agreement made with the men in
1888 and 1889, correct copy of which has
never before been given to the public. 1t
is here appended:
TENT OF THE AGREEMENT
Copy Of the agreement made and entered
into by and between the limited partnership
corporation of Carnegie Bros. & Co. and the
workmen employed by them at the Edgar
Thomson Steel Works and blast furnaces,
BeSsemer.
First-It is understood and agreed that
these works shall hereafter be run by two
turns as other steel mills are.
"
sliding scale based upon the average net
price received for rails delivered on cars
or barges during the preceding month
Third-This agreement shall last for the
remainder of the year and for the wears 1889
and 1890. The association, or its employees
can give notice not later than October l.
1880 OF desire to end it, in which event it
shall cease December 81 OF said year. II
such notice be not given by either party by
October l, 1890, or in any later wears then
this agreement shall remain in force for the
EA1fy
given.
Fourth-The prices received for rails shall
be sworn to by the principal bookkeeper of
the association, and by member of the as
soclatIon, and the workmen shall have the
right to appoint an agent at the expense OF
the firm, who shall be permitted to ex-
anime all documents bearing upon the
prices received for rails, and who shall
certify to the correctness of the statement
OF the association.
AN INDIVIDUAL UNDERTAKING.
Fifth-We, the undersigned, having read
the above, and examined the scale of wages
hereto arranged and made part hereof, here
by apply for employment under their condi-
tions, and for the valuable consideration of
employment given by the association, we,
each one for himself hereby pledge our
selves as men and citizens to adhere faith
fully thereto, and to take such position at
said steel works and furnaces, as may be as
signed to us; to accept as full payment for
our services, wages at the rate set forth
in the scale referred to- and that we will
abide by and obey the rules and regulations
Underneath this printed contract signed
by the men at the time, is notice to the eff
feet that the firm desires to terminate the
previous agreement. The notice reads as
follows:
To Our Employees:
As provided in the above agreement we
hereby notify You that we desire to end it
December 81, 1891, and that We will be ready
TO make new sliding scale agreement with
You at any time after October 10, 1891 to take
effect January l, 1892 The contemplated
changes are rendered necessary principally
by the Introduction of many mechanical i'm
provemeuts and advanced methods of man.
utacture by which the output has been very
much increased since the above agreement
went into effect.
CARNEGIE BROTHERS, Limited.
II. Z. FRICK, Chairman.
WHAT THE ASSOCIATION SAYS.
Superintendent Schwab was called upon
last night and requested to give an idea of
the proposed reduction in the scale of wages.
He preferred not to commit himself in any
way, stating that when anything was to be
made public the firm desired to inform the
men of that matter first. When asked if
there was any probability of the firm con-
ceding the men eight hours, which they
have long prayed for, he stated he was not
q W d
conference held with the workmen. He
added, however, he thought there was no
probability of the eight hours being con-
ceded
The men hardly know what to think of
the matter, as their signature to the scale,
which has proven very satisfactory to them,
was almost forgotten. They are making
good wages, working long turns, and it was
a matter of fact that they had never once
! -. IL i. l.
over which such struggle took place three
years ago.
REDUCTION EXPECTED.
They all believe, however, and such are
the statements, that the change means an
other reduction for them, the only question
being how great, and whether they are in
position to fight it.
Secretary LovejOy, of Carnegie Brothers,
said when shown the above last evening:
'The notice doesn't mean a reduction. 1t
merely means a revision of the scale, which
hasn't been equitable for some time. Some
OF the men have beeU making too much and
others not enough, under the late run of
work, and 1t was thought best to revise the
sliding scale"
The action of the firm will be regarded by
the men as move to ward off project
looking toward the adoption of sliding
scale in all the mills. Some of the Anal |
gamated lodges recommended this at the
last convention, but they were in the
minority. However, there is growing
sentiment among the lodge for three-vear |
Scales resulting largely from the fact that |
the Homestead men have profited by theirs,
and the sliding scale has proven itself less |
troublesome
HOW THE SCALE SLIDES.
During the early quarters of the Home |
stead scale the basis of the settlement ran |
as high as S34 Then it grew less gradually |
until in April. when it was S26 so, and in |
July, S25, the minimum The firm will, of |
course, argue as a reason for wanting |
the agreement dissolved, that the basis for |
the next quarter should be below S25, but |
under the agreement this would be impossi- |
bic. Generally, the men are ahead for the |
two years, and they will say at once that |
the present move is blow at sliding scales. |
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