Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-07-14
NEW sERIEs--vOL. XIII-NO. 2

the year beginning on January 1st, so that
we would be enabled to make contracts
for the year accordingly. This point the
Amalgamated Association refused TO
accept, and demanded the old date.
TONNAGE RATE. M
''The third proposition was the reduc-
ton in tonnage rates in those departments
in the mills where the Improvements ]
have spoken of have been made and which
enable the workingmen to increase the
output and consequently their earnings.
Where no such improvements had been
made there was no request upon our part
for reduction in tonnage rates. In other
words we asked no reduction in any de-
partment at which the output had not
been greatly increased by reason of our
expensive improvements since the scale of
1889 went into effect. We are prepared to-
show that in nearly every department un-
rates the skilled worlSmen would make
more money than they did when the scale
of 1883 went into effect.
LAS q rule the men who were making
the largest wages in the Homestead mill
were the ones who most bitterly denounced
the proposed revision of the scale. for out
of the $500 employedin every department,
only l25 were directly affected by this re-
duction.
woRKMEN TOOK THE TOWN.
"Finding that it was impossible to arrive
at any agreement with the amalgamated
officials we decided to close our works at
Homestead. Immediately the town was
taken possession of by the workmen. An
advisory committee of 80 took upon itself
the direction of the affairs of the place;
the streets were patrolled by men APP
pointed by the committee and every
stranger entering the town became an OBJ
Jeet OF surveillance; was closely ques7
toned, and if there was the slightest
reason to suspect him he was ordered to-
leave the place instantly under threat of
bodily harm. Guards were stationed at
every approach to Homestead by this self
organized local government. Our en-
ployes were prohibited from going to the
mills and we, rs owners OF the property,
were compelled to stand by powerless to
conduct the affairs OF our business or direct
its management.
APPEAL TO THE SHERIFF.
This condition of affairs lasted till
Tuesday, when | appealed to the sheriff OF
Allegheny county, stating the facts as /
have outlined them. The sheriff visited
Homestead and talked with the advisory
committee. Its members asked that they
be permitted to appoint men from their
own number to act as deputy shertts; in
other words, the men who were interfer-
ing with the exercise of our corporate
business affairs, requesting that they be
clothed with the authority of deputy
sherltfs to take charge OF our plant. The
sheriff declined their proposition and the
advisory committee disbanded. The rest
of the story is a familiar one; the handful
of deputies sent up by Sheriff McCleary
were surrounded and forced to leave town,
and then the watchmen were sent up to be
landed on our property for the protection
OF our plant
WHY PINKERToNs WERE EMPLOYED.
"Why did the Carnegie Company call
upon tile Pinkertons for watchmen to pro-
tect their property z"
I'VE did no. see how else we could have
protection. We only wanted them for
watchmen to protect our property and see
that workmen we would take to Home
stcad-and we have had applications from
many men to go there TO work--were not
interfered with"
"Did you doubt the ability of the sheriff
to enforce order at Homestead and protect
your property ?"
YES, sir; with local deputies
"Why?"
"For the reason that three years ago our
firm had an experience similar to this We
felt the necessity for a change at the
works; that a scale should be adopted
based on the sliding price of billets, and
we usked the county authorities for pro-
similar to those employed in the present.
troubles. The sheriff assured the mem bers
of the firm that there would be no diff
Guilty, that lie would give themiample pro-.
lection and see that men who were willing
to work We're not interfered with. What
was the result? The posse taken up by the
sherifT-something over 100 mep-%Mefe
not permitted to land on our property;
were driven off with threats of bodily
harm, and it looked as II there was going
to be great destruction OF life and property.
That frightened our people, Mr.. Abbott
was then in charge OF the Carnegie, Phipps
& Co. business, and was asked by The
amalgamated officials for q conference,
which he agreed to, fearful ii he did not
| do there might be loss Of life and destrue-
tion of property. Under that stress, in
fear of the Amalgamated Association, an
agreement was made and work was re-
stunned. We did not propose this tine to
be placed in that position"
THE SHERIFF HELPLESS.
"The Pinkerton men, as generally
understood, had been summoned and aM
arrangements made with them to be on
hand in case OF failure by the sheriff to
afford protection. Is that fact or not H'
''rne facts concerning the engagement
OF the Pinkerton men are these: From
past experience, not only with the present
sheriff, but with all others, we have found
that he has been unable to furnish us with
a sufficient number of deputies TO guard
our property and protect the men who
were anxious to work on our terms. As
! the Amalgamated from the LIST of July
had surrounded our works placed guards
at all the entrances and at all avenues or
roads leading to our establishment, and
for miles distant therefrom, VIC felt that
for the safety of our property and in order
TO protect orr workmen it was necessary
! for us to secure ouI own watchmen to as
sist the sheriff. and we knew of no Other
source from which to obtain them than
from Piukerton agencies, and to them we
applied" ~. 80.
What of the future of this difficulty?"
'sIt is in the hands Of the authorities of
Allegheny county. If they are unable to
cope with it, it certainly is the duty of the
governor OF the state TO see that we are
permitted to operate our establishment