Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-07-14
GETTING DOWN TO THE FACTS.

at Plttsburg.
Sheriff McOleary continued his testimony be-
fore the congressional investigating committee
at Fttsburg yesterday after THE Stars report
closed.
He was notified, he said, on July that he
must protect the property of the company. On
Tuesday (the 5th) he sent twelve deputies to
the works and they were driven away. His
He was notified the night the Pinkertons went
up and he tried to persuade them not to send
them, as he feared trouble.
He was finally induced to send Col Gray
along to try to prevent trouble.
Sheriff McCleary said the people would not
serve on his posse because they were afraid Of
being killed.
This statement caused a general laugh and
Mr.. Boatner said the war feeling was not strong
in Pittsburg. The sheriff said he had not au-
thorized Col. Gray to deputize the Pinkertons
He did not go to Homestead on the day of
the trouble because it was useless.
Deputy Sheriff Chilly then took the stand and
told the story Of how the deputies had been
driven out by the strikers.
Capt. Rodgers was recalled and stated that
after the detectives had surrendered the barges
were burned
Col. Gray said that he had no doubt the
PinkertOns all knew where they were going
ON THE SIDE OF LABOR.
President Weihe was the first witness on the
side Of labor. He reviewed the sliding scale
and the failure to reach an agreement with the
company. Reductions he said, were proposed
in most all departments. The men objected
because they did not think a reduction neces-
sary. The reductions would average 10 per
cent. The date Of the expiration of the scale
was vital question to the men all over the
country, because they could not work in the
heated season. As far as he could estimate the
labor cost Of ton of steel at Homestead
was $1.55
In reply to Judge Taylor as to why the mem
thought they had right to take possession Of
the mill Mr.. Weihe said: sThere may be some
who think 30, but they are not SO taught in the
association
This thing has been mystery to me. would
like to know why these men think they had the
right to take other peoples property" said
Judge Taylor. There seems to De some queer
ideas of the rights Of property. Was it not the
ertons to prevent the mill being worked by nom
union men?"
.well, that may have been the object; do
not know that it was.''
''WeN, have little doubt that such was the
case. said Judge Taylor. 'Are there matters
tion?'' N0''''>' " ''N' ~'''-
''No, sir; they are purely local"
"Did you ever offer to arbitrate this?"
mot until after the trouble
care you willing to settle this question by
arbitration"
II cannot say for the association but the
Homestead men are.'
Are you in favor Of an arbitration bill. by
which all such matters will be settled?' asked
Mr.. Bynum.
''Well. 1 hardly know what the association
would do. So far as have known wOrkmen
al I hpli fbatit
will soon come to this, however, and personally
can see little objection to it. In nv opinion
compulsory arbitration would not be success
in this country. If the arbitration was made
compulsory all parties should be made to ex-
hibit their books. The workmen believe they
understand their business better than any one
and think they and the manufacturers should
attend to their own business and agree on some
thing"
"Yes," said Mr.. Boatner ''but you did not
seem to want to agree till several persons were
killed"
Mr.. Weihe was asked if the association always
carried out its contract, and he said yes
Chairman Oates said: "Is it not true that
after signing the scale certain members of your
association notified the company that unless
certain things were done in this controversy
they would quit work. and thus break their con-
tract?''
"Wen, know some such thing was DONE"
HUGH o'DoNNELL ON THE STAND.
Hugh o. Donnen was called and Mr.. Oates
said: "Now, Mr.. O'Donnell, while we are not
here to assume anything, we wish to say that if
the answers to any questions we ask you may
tend to criminate you You may not answer
them
"Well, am not afraid" said Mr.. O'DonneI
81 am one Of the high-priced men and would
not be much affected by the reduction" said
the witness. When the men went out the
eight lodges held joint meeting and appointed
the advisory committee, of which witness was
chairman. Men were placed around the fence
to keep out irresponsible people" This was
done July !. The men were instructed to keep
any one out Of the mill. They were there to
try and persuade non-union men to remain out
of the mill.
"We intended to use only peaceful MEANS"
said the witness, sand no one more regrets the
assault than the advisory committee does"
The witness then repeated the story Of the
battle and his efforts to prevent the firing by
the crowd on tho shore. The inhuman treat
ment Of the Pinkertons after the surrender, he
said, was not the work Of the strikers, but ire
sponsible parties
Witness said he averaged s1A per month,
eight hours, under the old scale. He said the
works had built the town. About 40 per cent
were American born. The persons affected by
the proposed scale were most all American
born.
He did not know even the approximate cost
had been made in the 119-inch mill since It was
built.
'what moves were made by the men when
they quit work2'
"A mass meeting was held, at which most Of
the men not affected were present and agreed
to stay out with us. An advisory committee
was chosen. Committees were appointed who
became guards, and were placed around the
works outside the fence. The best sober men
we bad were placed on the committee. They
were told not to use force"
"Were they ordered to use violence to keep
men out?"
mo, sir. Their purpose was to keep all out
by peaceable methods"
'Did You see the sheriff 2"
II did. On July 5, think"
"Did he demand possession Of the works?'
~ do not think he did"
"Where did you see the Pinkertons frst?'
Gam compelled to answer"
"No, You are not"
O'Donnell finally said, after stating he was
not afraid OF the severest cross-examination:
~ was awakened about am. and wont TO the
river, accompanied by Capt. Coon. / heard
shots and saw men with pistols and advised
them to put them away. Hundreds Of voices
called out to the boats not to land. got within
about forty feet Of the landing and stood with
my back TO the river addressing the crowd
There was one rife shot, followed by volley. /
am sure the crowd near the water bad no