The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-07-22

and the usual disturbance attendant upon
strikes The superintendent assured US
that arbitration was something new and
modern, and the Carnegies, being pro-
gressive firm, would be the first to adopt
1t IN settling the wage question with their
employees.
The joint committee placed the PROPOSE
ton before the respective lodges and ex-
planned the attitude of the firm as ex-
pressed by Superintendent Potter. The
proposition was well received and favor
able action taken. A new scale was form
uiated, which differed very little from the
one under which the men had been work
ing. This scale applied to but three de-
partments-namely, the 119-inch mill. the
armor plate mill and the No. 2 open hearth
department.. The other departments, COM
prising the blooming, converting, old
beam and 23-inch mills, owing TO the
fact that they were to be reconstructed
and operated with modern automatic
machinery, were to continue working
under the scale in force until such recon-
struction and necessary repairs should
have been completed. In the meantime
Superintendent Potter had made various
propositions to the different classes of
workmen in the reconstructed departments
with aview to having them become COM
pany or salaried men, but without success,
as the men were loyal to the association of
which they were members.
The organization having duly formu-
lated a scale the joint committee held
many conferences with the firm during
the months of February, March, April
and up to the holding of the national
convention of the Amalgamated Associa-
ton in Pittsburg, but without arriving at
any definite conclusion. 1t was believed
by the joint committee and the lodges
generally that Mr.. Potter and the firm
were perfectly sincere in making the
proposition in January, and that the atti-
tude of the firm of Carnegie. Phipps & Co.
toward their workmen and the Amalga-
mated Association was honest and just.
Having full faith in their ability to make
an early and satisfactory adjustment Of
wages in all departments. the lodges pro-
ceeded conscientiously and straightfor-
wardly and formulated wage list fair to
the firm and just to themselves. The
workmen were prepared to confer and
reason and make whatever concessions
might appear proper and honorable. feel
ing that the firm would do likewise. The
men believed that there would be an early
and happy settlement of the wage ques-
ton.
But new and totally unlooked-for
change occurred in the organization of the
steel firm, which seemed to set at naught
all the negotiations and expectations that
were so promising.
William J. Abbot, chairman Of the firm,
retired from the position which he had
held so long and ably. Mr.. Andrew Car
negie also withdrew from active participa-
ton in the direction of affairs. The firm
of Carnegie, Phipps & Co. became thing
of the past, and a new organization
known as the Carnegie Steel Company ap-
peared upon the scene, with II. c. Frick,
the well-known coke operator, as chair
man and head and front OF the combna-
ton. The attitude of Mr.. Frick toward
organized labor was well known. and
from the fact that he was to assume con-
troll at the very moment when the old
scale would expire and new one was sup
posed to take effect, led the Amalgamated
Association to expect the worst. For
some time we continued to act along the
lines foreshadowed by Superintendent
Potter. When the Amagamated Associa-
ton convened in Pittsburg during the
month Of June it reviewed the scales pre-
pared by the Homestead lodges, and ap-
proved them.
1t was only necessary now to meet with
the firm and agree upon an adjustment Of
few minor points of difference. Accord
ingly on Thursday, June %, the confer
cnce committee called at the office of the
new firm. An informal discussion was
INDUCED in, during which Mr.. FricK ex-
hibited decided inclination to be arbitrary
t&cx At,,.x
meeting with such cold reception felt
that further attempts to come to an agree
ment at that time would be useless, and
arose to leave, when Mr.. Potter begged our
representatives to remain few moments
longer and he would personally prevail
upon Mr. Frick to grant further hearing.
The committee had announced its desire
to settle upon the $25 basis, and Mr.. Frick
had given his ultimatum at SD. When
Mr.. Potter offered to intercede the COM
mittee authorized him to name $24 basis.
After an interview with Mr.. Frick, Mr..
Potter brought in the final decision of Mr..
Frick, who offered $23 basis upon the
condition that the agreements should
terminate on the lst day of January each
year instead of July. as at present.
While it was apparent that the commit
tee could have met the firm with fair con-
cessions SO far as the scale was concerned,
this new condition of a change in the ter
lnlnatlOn OF the dpTeeIuenD ueEelOpeu tn6
fact, which had been suspected ever since
Mr. Frck came upon the scene, that it
was not so much a question of disagree
ment put a design upon labor organiza-
ton itself that would prevent settle
ment Mr.. Frick peremptorily decided
the conference at an end.
Upon the adjournment of the Anal
gamated Association the whole matter
was left in the hands of the eight Home
stead lodges with the promise of such
at large should see proper and necessary
was to have expired on the last day of
for reasons of its own, by closing the en-
ing about lockout instead of strike.
When the gates of the s., 900 900 steel
plant were closed probably the first step
taken was the formation of an advisory
committee. This body consisted of fifty
of our best men, and the purposes for
which il was organized were the most
worthy / attended all its meetings, and
all the sessions were alike in one respect,
and that was the devising of ways and
means to preserve the peace, to hold the
men in check and to see that the great
struggle was conducted on an equitable
basis Having been chosen chairman /
found myself called upon TO oversee and
perfect the details OF the wOrkingmen's
organization.
All went we'll until Tuesday. July 6,
when rumors that armed Pinkertons were
about TO invade our peaceful hamlet gained
circulation. We endeavored 10 deny these
stories hut the 3 500 or more WOrEm