Grand Rapids herald. [volume] (Grand Rapids, Mich.) 1892-1959, 1892-07-14
FACTS TO BE KNOWN
Congressmen Asking Sharp
Questions
CONCERNING The LOCKOUT
MeLuckie Swears That Low Tsnn and
er-Producsion Are the Causes
Of Low WAgeA

gresslonai committee resumed tod.
Mr.. Frick resumed he testimony. He
evaded question as TO his direct re-
sponsibllity for the hiring Of the Pink
ertons. Captain Rogers detailed the
trip 10 Homestead and read the agree
ment with Mr.. Frick. lie said James
II. Gray accompanied the party - .
deputy sheriff. Sheriff McClesry ne
said was notified by the Carnegie peo-
pie about July that they would en-
ploy Pinkertons and was asked TO dep
utize them. To this he did not reply.
He told Of his unsuccessful efforts to
secure deputies BY proclamation
and personal service resulting In
the formal demand for troops
on Sunday last TO which the governor
responded. He said Gray Was sent
with the Pinkertons "to order them
back II there was any trouble" The
Homestead men had offered To furnish
him 500 deputies, but he rejected the
offer because he thought they would
keep everybody away.
Captain Rogers was recalled and said
Deputy Sheriff Gray was understood TO
be IN charge of the expedition ant was
looked To for orders.
President weihis sworn.
President Welhie of the Amalga-
mated association was the first witness
| sworn for the iron workers. He also
explained the working of the slid
ing scale of '92 and then pointed
out the Objectionable features of the
new scale, as proposed by the firm.
The men objected because they could
not stand the reduction in wages aver
aging about Is per cent? and they did
| not want the year TO expire with Jan.
uary. Other objections we're that In
some jobs they were reduced before
they reached the scale. Men were
taken out by the new scale and other
men were asked to do the extra work
without pay. Allowances are always
made for improvements and where the
jobs are done lway with, no objection
is made. Weihie then told of the con
ferences with Mr.. Frick, stating that
the firm had set q date after which
no conferences could he had.
The Amalgamated association has 25,-
600 members; the objects Of the asso.
citation are to obtain remuneration and
see that no advantage is taken.
Conceded by the Company.
Mr.. Taylor-Why do the workmen
think they are justified in taking pos.
| session of the mill?
81 do not think there are any in the
association who do. think the men
would have protected the mills."
care they willing that the state or
congress shall pass an arbitration bil
to settle all questionsof of this character
81 cannot answer for the association.
The history of most arbitrations l would
say has been against the workmen."
.Is it ADVISABLE to establish compui.
sorry arbitration
al do not know whether compulsory
arbitration would be successful. The
| state trades unions have u voluntary
tribunal, but it has not worked The
| trouble in estimating wages 10 that the
| firm will not show up what the exact
cost of production 10. IL there were nc
minimum when the market came TO be
slow the big firms could 60 into the
| markets and cut rates."
"The firm comedies the Justice OF 9
MINIMUM" interrupted r. c. Knox, oi
Knox & Reed, attorneys for Carnegie
| Hugh O'Dopneii sworn.
Hugh ODonnell, leader of the Home
| stead workmen. was then sworn and
eaid he WAS a member of the Amalga
mated association and president of tn,
advisory board. He did not know evef
the approximate cost of producing IRON
lie said that no new improvements hac
been made in the ll9-inch mill since
they we're built.
"What moves weie made by the mer
| when they quit work.
"a mass meeting WAS held At which
most of the men not affected were
present and agreed tn stay with us. Al
advisory committee was chosen. Com
mittees were appointed who becam,
guards and we're placed around the
! works outside the fence. The best
soberest men We bad we're placed Oh
the COMMITTEES. They were told to no
use force"
Violence was Not Ordered
"were they ordered TO use violenc,
to keep men OUT"
"No, SIR; their orders were 10 kce,
all out by peaceable means
"Did you see the sheriff"
'I did on July 5, think"
"Did he demand possession of th'
works"
IL do not think he did"
"wnere did you zee the Pinkertonl
firsty'
"Am I compelled to answer
"Nu, you are not"
Mr.. VIsonnell finally said, after stat
ing he was not sfraid of the eeveres
cruSs-examinatlon "I was awakened
about O'Clock a. m. and went 10 II,
river accompanied by Captain Coon;
heard shots and | saw men with pistol
and advised them to put them away
Hundreds of voices called out 10 ia
boats not TO land.
The sirss shot.
| I got within about forty feet of IN
land and stood with my back 10 n
river addressing the crowd. There ua
one rife shot followed by veiiey-
am sure the crowd near the water hs
no guns"
"Wbo fred the fret shotT'
81 cannot say."
ssno you know anything Of the si
tempt % fire tho barges ~ifh 0iY'
II decline 10 answer. At the sdvlc
of many addressed the crowd later q
the dsv n the interest of humanity .
cease hrsDg and told then that n
wtnte f'sx Was exhibited they wout
surrender II protectson ~ete pleagec
| Those present pledged them
selves vita cheers and wsve
q white fac. psrley fosiowe
and tie guard wss placed ct -
! lard sng 10 prevent any fuferfererfcs