Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1892-12-05
PINKERTON AGAIN
The Detective Firm Prepares a
Long Statement.
SALIENT POINTS OF THE DOCUMENT

which VIII BE Pars of the Homestead In
vestigatIon Record-DIen Only Sent to
the Mill Under Promise that They
Should BE Deputized-Defense of Their
Regulations and Charges Against X. of
l.. Leaders-Powderly Accused of Per-
Jury-The Pinkerton View Generally.
NEW YORK, Dec. Sat the request of
the United States senate investigating COM
mittee Robert A. and William A. Pinker-
ton have prepared a statement in connec-
ton with their testimony before the com
mittee as to the nature of their business
and the occurrences at Homestead july 6.
1892. reinstatement was given to the press
Saturday night, and contains Il, 900 words,
and begins by reviewing the trouble at the
Carnegie mills in Homestead and the
Causes which led to the battle between the
Pinkerton men and the strikers July last
Continuing, the statement says that before
the Pinkerton Waterman had started from
New York or Chicago the Carnegie COM
pany applied to the high sheriff of Allie
gheny county. He conceded that he would
be practically powerless to handle such
large strike and to protect the lives of nom
union employees if any attempt should be
made to send any such workmen to Home
stead, and even then the agency refused to
send men unless the sheriff would promise
DO deputize them.
The Vital Principle at Stake.
He recites the condition of affairs at
Homestead-the practical absolute control
Of the advisory committee, etc.-and then
says: "There was only one vital principle
at stake in the contest between the Anal
gamated association and the company,
namely: whether the latter should be al
lowed 10 employ non-union men This the
Amalgamated association and its advisory
committee were determined to prevent BY
force if necessary. The company refused
to arbitrate its differences because its off
cials desired to manage their own business.
and more particularly because twice be
fore they had arbitrated and the Amalga-
mated association had refused to abide by
the decision of the referees" Referring to
the attack OF the strikers on the Pinkerton
men, Mr.. Pinkerton says: The attack
was made not because the strikers were
suddenly excited or exasperated at the
presence of our men, but because they be-
heved the barges contained nonunion la
bOrers."
Males an Odious Comparison If True.
He defends the character of his watchmen
from the assaults made upon them, and
says their recommendations are on file in
the PinkertOn offices and can be seen if
necessary. He then strikes back as fol-
lows: "The labor leaders are constantly at
lacking the character of the men employed
by our agency. One OF the most virulent
Of these men and the man who is perhaps
closest TO Mr.. Powderly, namely Master
Workman James Hughes, is now under
conviction ut Rochester for blackmail and
extortion. Mr.. Powderly and the Knights
OF Labor have repeatedly abused the gov
ernor Of this state for not pardoning
Hughes, and saving him from serving IS
term of imprisonment. This man Hughes.
as we are informed, was originally a D. >
fessional thief, and worked as pick pocket,
fOrger, and burglar. Has served terms OF
imprisonment, and it was in prison that he
was forced to learn the only trade that he
knows, namely, that of a cloth cutter He
Is now the president, in the United States,
Of the United Clothing Cutters and Tailors'
District assembly No. 2S1 of the Knights of
labor and a national organizer of assem-
bliea