New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-15
HOMESTEAD INQUIRY ENDED
THE CONGRESSIONAL COMMITTEE RETURNS
TO WASHINGTON.
Mr.. FRIcK AND GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT
POTTER TESTIFY BEFORE THE INvEsIGA-
ToRs-wAGEs AT THE GREAT STEEL
MILLS AND THE TARIFF DISCUSSED

ToRs-wAGEs AT THE GREAT STEEL
MILL; AND THE TARIFF DISCUSSED
r;tsbug, July I4.-The inquiry into the trouble ~
Homestead was completed by tle Congressional Con''
mttee to-day and the COMMITTEES returned to Wasnins'
tom one of tho committee said that the present IN
vestigation would do much TO nelp the passage OF
compulsory arbitration law, and also an antit1nKeton
measure both Of which have aready been introduced.
The report which the committee will submit VIII qouot
less contain favorable recommendations for both meas
ures Chairman Oates said Il wish to correct an
error II was stated that this committee divided
on this question and there would be minority
report Such is not the case. so far as Know, thew
will be no division on this question, and we will AL
look on this matter in the same way
Mr. Taylor added Yes, agree with our chairman.
We are united this question and are here only 70
ascertain the facts in the case
General Supernte endent Potter the first witness,
and he testified that the Homestead mill was different
fom other mills in that the hrm hired and PAID tne
men. helpers hired ana paid oy the
men. BY reason OF machinery there Is less response
bilf~y to the men. The witness said the Homesteaa
mill was the finest In the world and by reason Of i'm
nroyed machinery the output 80 per cent greater
than any mill In Tie world. The following colloQuy
ensued.
o-Do you know anything about the proposed SCALE
out which present difference between the Amass
mated Association and the company arosel Ayes sr
O-Do you know anything about the changes proposeo
by that scael A.-Yes, sir. The company desired 70
make some changes chief Of which were the minimum
tass and the time at which the scale would expire Inc
difference in basis btween s25 ana e23
1t was 500 first but the afterward came up
to the s23 basis In the other matnr the company de.
sired TO scale expire at December 81 Instead
June 3o Is now the case. Four departments OF 'he
mill were affected by prop6.ed changes in the scale
O-IIow many men in the departments OF the mill
were affected by this changel AAbout 400, IS nearly
Is can tell.
o-why did the company seek these changesf Ave
having money than competitors FOR the sane
work. We had machinery hot enabled the men TO mako
the highest any aboring mar in the country sna
thought only fair that they should be content WIN
o-In other words you thought they were getting
little more than their the profits OF the concern;
is that it, Al connot say as to that
O-Is It not true that with this state OF anars
the company making much larger profits tnan any
OF the kind in the country Al dc ho' A'"
anything about the profits or losses of the Tim. 49,
O-You may what you know OF the trouoo
between the company and the ANA ganaeea Assocs''
A-The trouble began before .he works Closed
When IL was learned company would not sign she
scale murmurs OF discomfort heard all around one
morning in the latter part OF June Mr. Frick and myself
went mill yard and found ehgies OF ourselves
hanging up. We had them torn down.
Was this trouble about the building Of the fence
around the works? Al think The fence has been
around the for three years, but the company nos
recently acquired other property which 1t has also ienceo
oWeu 90 on After the hanging OF the efgies In the
mllvard what happend A.-withn few days went 70
the morring and found large numoef
OF men standing about the Office gate They had s'oppa'
and turned back the foremen who had gone there
to work. This about June 2s. when part 'f tho
mills we're closed down. had 70 walk around numoer
Of into the works This sort o. tnins wes
kept up until July ?. Some Of the men ssio ney nAe
been threatened with violence. saw no firearms %
clubs up to that and did not hear violence threat
| ened.
o-po YOU know anything about the organization and
methods OF the Amagamated Association A-A little.
their committees at various tncs ana nave
| talked with them
o-Do you or did you ever belong to the orsanizs-
| toni A.-No. sir.
O What do YOU know about the employment Of the
Pinkerton which Homestead on the morning
OF July o. your experience OF that day First say
the about the gate at the uine you
mention were members OF the Amalgamsted Assocauon'
Al presume they had seen some Oh them Ia
committees OF the association The works closed finally
on July . and had engaged as watchmen, ABOUT
| 300 Of them who to come from other cities
The witness then repeated the story OF the barge
trip up the Monongahela and the battle when Tie AZ
tempt was made to land. lie said the first shot was
| fired from the shore.
Mr.. Bynum asked II he had not stated that the I'M
proved machinery at Homestead reduced the coat OF
| production one half that OF other mills.
Mr. Potter again spoke of the great facilities at the
Carnegie plant but Mr. Bynum held him TO the point.
Mr.. Potter admitted til COsl "d> Iinn
at other mills.
Chairman Gate, called for Austin Cabfelsch. Mr..
CaIhfclsch took the stand and stated that he was .
| roller. The witness testified as follows
Chairman OateCan you explain the difference between
| the old scale, and the percentage OF re.
ductons proposed by the new scslel
Mr Cabfelsch-n heating and pudding the reduction 10
only about per The greatest reductions come on
the jos where the hardest work concerned In the
sheang department the reduction is from 10 cents to
cents
The witness said that the difference would be a
ducton from 300 to S57.
How much did YOU usually make in a month"
"On basis of LOO tons month. nv wages were
Sal As per month. The proposed scale would reduce
my wages TO 500
The witness stated that the scale would en-
able the shearer's helper to make 81 So day. The
cost for heating rolling and shearing was 81 so ton.
Captain Kennedy. the watchman the rnkerton
barges was next called lie also detailed the fight
and confirmed the statement OF the previous witness
as to the first shot. Captain Kennedy said there were
twenty-five or thirty good shots the Pnkertons.
The Others were hiding behind ice boxes and other
places.
| william Danahy called and sworn. He said he
WAS n reporter and was at Homestead the morning
of July q. lie the two barges. but it was worth
mans life to get them. lie LEFT Homestead
| before the surrender.
recalled.
| Chairman Oates said: Mr.. weihe l would like 70
ask you what natonaiities are represented IN inc
| Amalgamatcd Association -
Mr. weihe-well, some English. Irish. scotch'
| Welsh and good many Americans. Our ORGANIZATION
| Is not secret, except the password.
Mr. Boatner-" Does your organization foster OF
countenance any such resistance TO employers as We
are now investigatmg!'
NO. SIR 40.
| How many men who work In the Homestead MIL
belong to your associaton''
From 900 to 100. am not sure
| Does YOUR association encourage violence"
"No SIR
Chairman Frick was then recanen.
chairman Oates-Mr Frick, several statements have
L hn scalo havn