Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1892-07-08
A TALK WITH FR|CK.
Presents the Carnegie
Side of the Case.
ALL QUIET AT HOMESTEAD.
Union Labor May Refuse To Handle
the Products of the Plant.

WIS interviewer as lOllOWs Uy ueOTke ~.
Mccain, the correspondent of the Phila-
delphia Press:
What was the basis of the differences
existing at present between the Carnegie
company and their men, Mr. Frickt"
There are three points upon which we
differed. The skilled workmen in the
Amalgamated association work under
what Is known as a sliding scale. AS the
price Of steel advances the earnings Of the
men advance; as the prices fall their earn
ings decrease In proportion. While there
Is no limit to an advance of earnings on
the scale. there is point at which the de-
cline stops 1t Is known as the minimum,
and the figure heretofore has been SIS.
1--WE believe that II earnings based on
the selling price of steel can advance with
out limit, the workmen should be willing
TO follow the selling price down to q rea-
sonable minimum, and so this figure was
finally fixed by the Carnegie company at
the rate of $23 instead of SIS The reason
for asking this upon our part, was that
the Carnegie company has spent large
sums of money In the introduction Of new
machinery In its Homestead plant,
by means Of which the workmen were en-
abled to increase the daily output, thereby
increasing the amount Of their own earn
ings. We had originally asked reduc-
tion to 81, but subsequently
Agreed to Compromise
the rate at s23. The Amalgamated asso-
citation was unwilling to consider q reduc-
tion below "a on steel billets, notwith-
standing the fact that the improved ma
chinery would enable their members, even
at S23, to earn more than Is paid in other
amalgamated mills This was the first
point at issue.
Under the present amalgamated sys-
tenn the date Of the expiration of the
sliding scale Is June 80 annually. We
asked that this date be changed TO Decem-
ber 81 (same as at Edgar Thomson), for
the reason that the change would permit
us to take our estimate upon the wages
that we must pay during the year. begin
ming on Jan. l, so that we would be
enabled to make contracts for the year
accordingly. This point the Amalgamated
association refused to concede, and de-
manded the old date The third PROPOSE
tion was the reduction on tonnage rates
in those departments in the mills where
the improvements l have spoken of have
been made, and which enable the work
inQmen to increase the output and conse-
quently their earnings. Where no such
improvements have been made there was
no request upon our part for reduction
In tonnage rates.
"In other words we asked no reduction
tion In any department at which the out
put 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, under our proposed
raf "a taa ha al laT
workmen
Would Make More Money
than they did when the scale of 1889 went
into effect. AS rule the men who are
making the largest wages In Homestead
mill were the ones who most bitterly de-
nounced the proposed revision OF the
scale, for out of the $500 men employed In
every department only 825 were directly
affected by this reduction. Finding that
1t was impossible to arrive at any agree
ment with the Amalgamated officials, we
decided to close our works at Home
stead"
"Why did the Carnegie company call
upon the Pinkertons for watchmen to
protect their property"
1--WE did not see how else we would have
protection. We only wanted them for
watchmen to protect our property and see
that workmen we would take to Home
stead-and we have had applications from
many men to 20 to work-were not inter-
fered with"
"Did you doubt the ability of the sher-
i'll TO enforce order at Homestead and pro-
tect your property
"Yes, sir, with local deputies"
"Whyf"
"For the reason that three years ago
our concern had similar experience to
this We felt the necessity Of a change at
the works; that scale should be adopted
based on the sliding prices Of billets. and
we asked the county authorities for pro-
lection. The workmen began tactics sim
liar to those employed I'm the present
troubles. The sheriff assured the mem
bers OF the firm that there would be no
difficulty. that he would give them ample
protection, and see that men who are
willing to work are not interfered with.
What was the resultf. The posse taken
mp by the sheriff-something over 100 men
were not permitted TO land on our prop
erty, were driven of with
Threats Of Bodily Harm,
and IL looked as IL there was going to be
great destruction OF life and property.
That frightened our people, and an agree
ment was made and work resumed. We
did not propose this time to be placed IN
that position"
THE Pinkerton men, as generally un.
derstood, had been summoned and all ar.
rangemsnts made with them 10 be on hand
In case OF failure by the sheriff to afford
protection. Is that fact or nott"
"The 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 sufficient number OF deputies 10
guard our property and protect the men
who were anxious to work on our terms
As the Amalgamated men from the first
Of July had surrounded our works, placed
guards at all the entrances and at all
avenues or roads leading to our establish
ment, and for miles distant thereirom, we
felt that for the safety of our property
and In order 70 protect our workmen II
was necessary for US 10 secure our own
watchmen TO assist the sheriff, and we
know Of no other source from which 10
Oflfaiu than than fran. Din IA a~su.