New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-16
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE RETURN.
THINGS AT HOMESTEAD NOT so BAD AS THEY
EXPECTED-A REPORT EXPECTED
THIS SESSION.

THINGS At HOMESTEAD NOT so BAD AS THEY
EXPECrED-A REPORT EXPECTED
THIS SESSION.
Washington July 15.-The special committee OF the
House which has been engaged In an inveSueauoh
OF the Homestead troubles returned to Washington
from Ptttsburg this morning. Chairman oates, IN
speakng OF the Investigation, said that the committee
had not found things so bad at Homestead rs tneS
they expected The differences between the strikers
and the company had not been composed and they
were about as far apart as they were mt the
beginning Of the trouble.
All the trouble between Mr.. Flick ana the s'rhers
Mr. oates said, had afesn over tile schedule Oh prizes
submitted by him the latter part OF june ~hch 'ne!
refused to accept The three years cohiruoI WIZ"
them had then expired. and the company desired u
make new contract with the employees for another
term Of years at reduced wages. owing to the ami
mutton In the price OF steel but this they refused Inc
company had been scaling their wages according 10
the prices per ton OF steel. which were usunly ABOUT
so5 but Us that had gone down the company ieh
compelled 10 reduce salaries accordingly
The present schedule had expired by limitation on
Juno 80 Inst Some time in the latter part VI June
Mr. Fricl1 had submitted to the workmen for their
prevail IA new sliding schedule OF wages, DaSed rs III
the expiring contract upon the market price oil steel
billets Mr. Frick proposed to fix the minimum of
wages on basis OF $22 tom instead II go. a. In the
expiring schedule, and 10 make the three years. curing
which the contract was To run expire on Decenper
81 instead OF June 30. The wOrkmsn protested
against this reduction but after some ceno2rauoi
offered to make the minimum 52f, provided some OF
the Objectionable details Of the classihcnuoh "orc
made satisfactory. This proposition was declined bv
the company who, however agreed TO concede 81 ANA
make the minimum f23. provided the Term VI inc
contract was made to expire on December 81. ms
offer WIS coupled with the request that tleir Hh'i
answer to this proposition be made known TO MN h'o
later than June "a. As 10 answer vas received Nv
that date Mr. Flick. on June D. wrote to the Plnker-
ton agents giving directions 10 how and when Their
men were 10 to Homestead.
Mr. Oates said that as "A rule the WorKneh d. iio"o
stead were far above the average in intelligence
They seemed TO be fairly prosperous and lived IN soou
comfortable houses. Many OF the men, particularly
skilled workmen, made good wages-some OF them d.
high as 1878 per month. Others made only 800 per
month The common laborers earned from II 10
II 30 a day. lie was satisfied that the aneedtioh Vi
the men that the company bad purposely produced
an overs,ock OF steel bets In order to reduce the
scale OF waces OF the wOrimen was untrue
Mr.. Oates did not see how the Government could
take action In the matter II Is not, IN bis OPINION
within it, Jurisdiction.
Mr. oates says the military are In complete con
troll at Homestead, and that no trouble Is expected
while they are lie is confident that II the mlhtary
IS withdrawn and non-union men are brought IN Il
|
disastrous results sure TO follow. lie thought
however, that peace could be maintained by smaller
force. and there wns hardly any necessity ior the
full military strength Of Pennsylvania to remain Oh
tho scene. Two or three companies were amply
sufficient 10 preserve order and protect He II, now
over non union men should attempt to work the mills
small force Of troops would be insufficient to hoic
the strikers In check and they would not hesitate
meet the military with force.
Mr. loutuer another member OF the cOHlHnttF"
Thought the acknowledgment by President Flick thai
he had arranged have the Pinkerton forces brought
IN before submitting the scale OF prices to the men wa
mos, Importnut and significant. He regarded th'
stuntion AZ serious and felt that another comic
would ensue should the Pnkertons again attempt U pro
| oc the property Of the company: or should ou'siu
| en- plOyes be brought tn Homestead 49, -.
! The testimony taken 10y the committee was mos
yolumlnos and II will take several days 10 TRANSCRIPT
| n from the sienognphers notes and make - reao!
for Tho printer A. his Is done the com
mittee win take II under conA ?aflon ana oegln W.
formulation OF their report whr' win csrta!hN ~
nrcsnn 10 Congress before II az, IL Is though
! The report will be unanimous.