St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-07
Representative Oates Finds
Fault With the Carnegie
Hangers Evidence.
He Thinks Mr.. Frick Too
Stern, Brusque and Some
what Autocpatic.
Mckinley Law Promises Prove
Very Disappointing to
Operatives.
Fir. tricks Grave Mistake in
Summoning PinkertOns
to Homestead.

WASHINGTON. Aug. 6.-Mr. Oates,
chairman of the subcommittee of the
house Which investigated the labor
troubles al Homestead and the connec-
ton with the Pinkerton detectives
Herewith, submitted report to the
committee, which was not agreed to.
No member questioned its correctness,
Its statements of facts or conclusions of
laws; but the Republican members of
the committee would not assent to what
he said upon the tariff, and majority
of the Democratic committee thought
it impoiitic TO make any report until the
entire Investigation is completed,
which could not be done before
the second session of congress.
Therefore postpOnment OF the
report was made until next winter.
The report prepared by Mr.. Oates, hav-
ing been rejected by the committee, he
today gave it to the public as his indi-
vidual opinion Of the matters investi-
gated. The report begins with state
ment of the movements of the subcoln-
mittee, followed by a descriptions of the
works al Homestead, the number Of
tiatICnS between the company and the
Amalgamated association preceding the
outbreak. the contentious Oh both sides,
and finally an account of the disastrous
ending Of the attempt to
LAND She K'inEkertSns.
The report says that the Pinke-t0ns
who surrendered were brutaliy al out
rageously treated. principally by woi an
and boys, and Mr., Oates is loathe to be
lieve that any Of these women are ma
tive Americans. He says that the ill.,
dignities 10 which they were subjected
was a disgrace TO civilization. Mr..
Oates asks whether the Carnegie firm
was justified in equity and good con-
science III proposing the reduction in
wages. l answer, he says, that Mr..
Frlck declined to state the cost of ton
of Bessemer steel biIlets and the labor
cost. He iAen were paid satisfactory
wages, but the work much al
breViates the natural period of
life and should be well paid
for. He thinks that the company should
have some Of the benefits Of profits re-
Sulting from the use of improved ma
chInefy. He condemns the Mckinley
Jaw ltI It's lGliuIc " UtGitiIL AMERICAN
Workmen, and says the promises made
to the operatives have been disappont-
ing. Had Mr.. Frick stated the bottom
facts TO the committee they would have
agreed that the proposition to reduce
wages was justiiiabie, but they took
issue with him in his conclusion that
the tariff did not cause decline in
prices. Mr. Oates finds further that
the conduct OF The company towards its
employees was kind i'll many respects.
1t loaned them money at low rate OF in
terest to build them homes. and never
foreclosed mortgages; but III the nego-
tiation the officers did not exercise pa
thence.
Indulgence and SOiicisuac,
and Mr.. Fyick, according to tie report,
business man Of great Intelligence,
seems to have been too stern. brusque
and somewhat autOcratic. Mr.. Oates is
persuaded that if Mr.. Frick had ap-
pealed 10 Tie reason OF the employees
and shown them the state Of the COM
pany'S affairs, the reduction might have
been made and 10 trouble have fol-
lowed. Mr. Oates finds that the Penn
Sylran!a law contains nothing TO pre-
vent Mr.. Frick from employing Pinker-
ton men as watchmen at Homestead;
but says that under the circumstances
he should not have done SO. He made
overtureS 10 the Pinkertons before
the negotiations with the men were
interrupted. and did not appeal to the
county or state authorities in the first
instance Tor protection. He asserts
that Sheriff MeCleary is very inefficient
officer, bat says that. had Mr.. Frck
aided him and Joined in his appeal to
the governor instead of EMPLOYING
PinkertonS, the state would have fur
nished sufficient force to have pro-
tected tie property. Mr. Oates con
dennis as unlawful the acts of the
workmen in turning away The sheriff,
and as Insulting in hanging in etfigy
Messrs. Frick and Potter. He
says it WAS the purpose of the
Amalgamated association TO prevent
the employment Of non-union men. and
he declares that 10 organization has a
right 10 enforce its WISHES by strong
handed defiance Of law. The men had
no legal right 10 resist the coming of
the PinkeftouS, and are ansWerable to
the PENNSYLVANIA courts. In conclusion.
MI. Oates finds that congress has no
power over the questions involved. The
enactment of a satisfactory arbitration
law is well nigh impossible. AS TO
whether congress has the power to reg
ulate or suppress Pinkerton men, MIR.
Oates says lie has nc conclusion to ex-
press until the completion of the inves-