Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-08-02
ISSUE OF VERACITY
Between Potter and the Strik.
ers at Homestead.
SOMEBODY TALKING FOR EFFECT.

The Superintendent Says Twenty-Seven
of the Former Employees Returned to
Work Yesterday, While the Advisory
Board Declares There Were Only Two
Iams Begins Proceedings Against His
Late Commanding Characterization
Alleged To BE Putty.
HOMESTEAD, Pa, Aug. 2.-Homestead's
striking steel workers were considerably
sgitated last night. They had satisfied
themselves of the correctness of Superin-
tendent Potter's statement that a number
of former employees returned to work yes
terday. This evidence of weakening on
the pant of men who have loudly pro-
claimed their loyalty to the Amalgamated
association worries the members of that
organization, and last night the streets
were filled with strikers discussing the
situation with mach animation. Provost
Marshal Mechlirg, fearing the break in
the ranks of the strikers would lead to
trouble, doubled the guard around the
mill and in the streets adjacent thereto.
backbone of the strike Broken.
That the backbone of the strike has
been broken is acknowledged by every one
save the members of the advisory commit
tee and the more radical unionists. Last
night Superintendent Potter said to re-
porter: altogether sixty of former
employees have returned to work and we
have been informed that many more will
make application for their old places.
Twenty-seven of our old men came in to-
day. Twenty-four of them found their
places still open, but the others. l am
sorry to say, were disappointed. But
while they cannot step into the positions
they gave up a month age these men will
be given work.
Getting More Men than He Wants.
@The strikers who have come in out of the
wet in time will not be asked to eat and
sleep in the mill. They Will continue TO
occupy their Homestead residences and will
be given ample protection. Many of the re-
cent arrivals from the east have applied
for houses and will bring their families
here soon. We got in over 100 cots today
and nearly as many men arrived from dis
tant points. l sent word to the Pittsburg
office this Afternoon that we We're getting
in too many men by rail and water. To-
morrow morning we expect fully 100
men from the east. This will gave in
the neigh borhood of 800 workmen, many
of whom are skilled mechanics.
Giving the Old Men Another Chance.
Eve will after tomorrow relax our
efforts to secure workmen, in order TO give
our former EN- plOyeS VINO were leu INTO
this trouble innocently an opportunity to
get back Naturally we prefer them to
green hands"
There is no longer any doubt about it,
the AmalganateI! association has lost the
fight and from this time on the Carnegie
Steel company will operate its Homestead
plant with non union men.
The advisory board of the strikers met
last night. Upon adjournment the secre-
tary gave the following official statement
to the United Press: But two Home
stead men went to work in the
mill today. One was Edward Lyon, brother
of United States District Attorney
Lyon of Pittsburg. The other was Charles
Geotel, "a mem Der of the Homestead school
board, who will be deposed. There are
less than 400 men in the mill. One hum
dred are tramps'
strikers Drawing Their Deposits.
Yesterday nearly 80 old employees who
had money on deposit with the Carnegies
went up to the mill office and drew it out,
pursuant to n notice given by the firm. A
large number of others against whom the
mill holds mortgages paid the interest yes
terday, and as yet the men claim there is
not one mortgage which can be foreclosed.
No Help for Backsliders.
President Weihe yesterday declared that
the Amalgamated association would not
furnish transportation home to men who
come here and are dissatisfied with Home
stead All the non-union worknen at
Homestead are now fully armed, and
Superintendent Potter declares they will
protect themselves.