The Helena independent., 1892-07-07
THE WEATHER.
THE FIGHT AT HOMESTEAD

What is this? Five thousand work.
ingmen fighting for their lives, shot
down by Pinkertons and shooting the
hired thugs in turn, wives made widows
and children made orphans when the
husbands and fathers we're battling for
breadl Surely such things are ominous
In prosperous and free country and
yet the most has not been told OF the
terrible situation near Pittsburg. When
desperate and determined mon band to-
gether for protection which takes the
form of bloodshed 1t is we'll for future
safety to enquire into causes.
The Carnegie Steel company. with
Andrew Carnegie as its head and
q capital of s25,O0O00O, oper-
ates great steel plants within
and near the city of .Pittsburg.
Under the protecting influences OF the
high tariff which includes tariff Of 10
per cent. on steel rails, these works
have grown from year to year, until
armies Of workingmen are employed at
different points. Now, let us see how
the employees are protected. A short
time ago while Baron Carnegie was en-
joying life at his castle.in Scotland, his
officers and the representatives OF the
Amalgamated Associations Of steel
workers had meeting. The represent
atives we're told that on certain date a
scale of wages, meaning an average re-
duction Of 20 per cent for all workers,
would go into effect at Homestead.
They were told the scale would be in
effect until January, 1894, instead of
July as heretofore and thus the men in
the dead Of winter would be forced to
accept worse terms or starvc. The
orders from the company were perempt-
ory; they listened to discussions but
were not moved and when strike was
threatened they closed the mill and
locked out nearly 5000 men. They did
more, for they declared no more
labor unions would be recognized in
no establishment. The terrible fight
which occurred yesterday resulted from
the company's attempt to introduce non.
union, or "scab," labor to take the place
of union men. To pave the way for the
newcomers 800 Pinkerton men with
Winohesters were sent to the works and
battle, the like OF which has not been
since the railway strikes of 1877, fol
lowed the first attempt of the armed
hirelings to make way for cheap foreign
labor. 1t is believed that trouble far
more serious will occur if the efforts
are continued.
All this happened under the admins
tration of Andrew Carnegie, man whc
breaches the fallacy of protection be,
cause it enables him to rob his fellow.
men but who is singularly forgetful OF
the laboring men who are said to be
protected. Besides his devotion to the
gospel of wealth his interests are cen
tered in the success of the republican
party: that success means a tariff or
steel that will suit him, for his heavy
contributions to the republican cam.
paign must be rewarded. Then Mr.
Carnegie points to the miles of steel
mills and says here are the magnificent
results of the American system Of pro-
lection, and here is employment fol-
thousands of men.
But what were these same men doing
yesterday? Fighting for their lives and
homes against the common enemy OF
organized labor Where does the tariff
come in for their protection? 1t did not
save the poor follows who wera killad
it has not prevented Carnegie from low
ering wages and locking out men. No
it only helps monopolists like him who
combine together and say to the work
ingman, you will take what wages W.
offer and you will buy at our prices
That is the protective tariff.