Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-07-14
gun very affectionately, and I knew
they meant business

|
barges were burned. He told OF the
efforts to set them on fire by use OF oil.
Col. Gray said in answer to question
as to what TO do in case they were at
tackled and he replied to defend them
selves. There was no intention to take
the barges. They were landed there to
remain. Before he started up with the
boats he told the crew where they were
! going and said that all who did not want
TO go could get off at Lock No. Il. All
those who did not want TO go got of at
| this point. There were four OF them.
He said be had no reason TO doubt all
the Pinkertons knew where they were
| going as they were unpacking uniforms
and arms They all knew where they
| were going.
Mr.. Weihe was the first witness on
the side of labor, and he testified that
! he was familiar with the sliding scale
which was adopted in 1889, and he then
! proceeded TO tell of the scale. He ex-
planned it was agreed that the minimum
was to be S25, and went fully into the
question of the sliding scale, which is
fully understood by the readers OF the
REGISTER.
In March, this year, the company
proposed new scale. 1t came to his
| knowledge during the convention in
June In March the proposed changes
are discussed by the men and all
changes printed and sent to all subor-
dinate lodges, where they are dis
cuSsed, and the delegates TO the. conyen-
tion vote on the proposed changes.
The Homestead scale was referred to
the Homestead committee. Reductions
were proposed in most departments.
How many men were affected by the
proposed changes?'
"Well, l really could not tell. The
reason the men objected was because
they did not believe a reduction was
necessary and also about the time OF the
expiration. Had this been accepted 1T
would result in a reduction of from 10
to 80 per cent. 1t would average is
per cent A ton in this work is
2,24O pounds. The date OF the expira-
tion OF the scale is q vital question TO
the men all over the country, because
they cannot work in the heated season,
and whenever any vacations are had it
is important for the men to have it in
summer. The organization never object
TO improvements in mills. We are all
glad to see them"
what is the labor cost Of ton OF
steel?"
"Well, as near as can tell it is about
S1.55 at Homestead. That is as near as
we can estimate. That is from the time
the metal is placed in the cupola and
comes out billet. This does not in-
cude some labor on the steel before the
metal comes to the mill, the taking out
of the ore, etc. That cannot tell. This
cost is only for the labor on the scale"
He was asked what it cost to produce
q steel billet in the armor plate mill.
He;said the reason the men did not ac-
cept the proposition Of S22 per ton was
because tie blietS were then quoted at
S24 The men agreed TO make the
base S24, and also proposed to
sign the scale as proposed by them
for three years, TO expire on
three months notice by either party.
! This the company declined. The COM
pany afteward offered to make the base
S23. There was nothing further done.
This last concession came from the
company, but IL refused TO change the
time proposed. The company notified
the men they would hold no conference
after June pa.
There are 25, 900 skilled laborers who
are members OF the Amalgamated Asso-
citation. Not all the men in the four
departments are members Of the Asso-
citation.
When asked what benefits there were
in the Association, he answered, to Sc
cure a fair and uniform rate for labor
ers. All those in the same class receive
the same rates.
Judge Taylor-I wish you would tell
me why the men think they had fright
to take possession of the mill?"
There may be some who think so,
but they were not so taught by the As
sociation. Only part of them have
any idea they should take possession Of
the property. | could not tell why
they think so."
"This thing has been a mystery to
me. l would like TO know why these
-nen think they had the right to take
other peoples property" said Judge
| TAYLOR. There seems to be some
queer ideas as to the rights Of property
Was not it the object Of these men when
they fought the Pinkertons TO prevent
the mill being worked by non-union
men?"
"Well, that may have been the OBJ
ject; | do not know that it was"
'Yell, l have little doubt that such
was the case" said Judge Taylor
"Are there matters Of physical re-
sstance settled in your conventiOn?"
''No, sir; they are purely local"
did you ever offer to arbitrate thi 5
trouble?"
Not until after the trouble"
Are you willing 10 settle this ques-
tion by arbitration?"
81 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, l hardly know what the Asso-
citation would do. So far as / have
known workmen usually get the worst
of il. / believe that IL will soon come
10 this, however, and personally can see
little objection to 1t. In my opinion
compulsory arbitration would not be a
success in this country. / believe 1t
would be better TO have anything to
prevent strike and would favor such a
plan. II the arbitration was made COM
pulsory all parties should be made to
exhibit their books. The workmen be-
lieve 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
didn't seem to want to agree till several